Electronic control unit development and emissions evaluation for hydrogen–diesel dual-fuel engines

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to operate today's compression ignition engines easily in dual-fuel mode with a developed electronic control unit. Especially, diesel engines with mechanical fuel system can be easily converted to common-rail fuel system with a developed electronic control unit. Also, with this developed electronic control unit, old technology compression ignition engines can be turned into dual-fuel mode easily. Thus, thanks to the flexibility of engine maps to be loaded into the electronic control unit, diesel engines can conveniently be operated with alternative gas fuels and diesel dual fuel. In particular, hydrogen, an alternative, environmentally friendly, and clean gas fuel, can easily be used with diesel engines by pilot spraying. Software and hardware development of electronic control unit are made, in order to operate a diesel engine with diesel + hydrogen dual fuel. Finally, developed electronic control unit was reviewed on 1500 r/min stable engine speed on different hydrogen energy rates (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% hydrogen) according to thermic efficiency and emissions (CO, total unburned hydrocarbons, NO x , and smoke), and apart from NO x emissions, a significant improvement has been obtained. There was no increased NO x emission on 15% hydrogen working condition; however, on 45% hydrogen working condition, a dramatic increase arose.

CMOS Interface Circuits for High-Voltage Automotive Signals

“…Typical gas-ECU inputs are the high-voltage signals at the igniter coil and the differential output signal of the inductive sensor to measure the speed of the engine crankshaft. In the engine conversion to dual-fuel (i.e., diesel and CNG or diesel and hydrogen), the diesel injectors are monitored to limit the fuel quantity to the minimum value required to guarantee gas ignition [19,20]. Thus, the voltage signals at the low and high sides are useful for this purpose.…”