Progress toward an optimized hydrogen series hybrid engine
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
The design considerations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of a high efficiency, low emissions, hydrogen-fueled engine for use as the prime mover of a series hybrid automobile is described. The series hybrid automobile uses the engine to generate electrical energy via a lightweight generator, the electrical energy is stored in a power peaking device (like a flywheel or ultracapacitor) and used as required to meet the tractive drive requirements (plus accessory loads) through an electrical motor. The engine/generator is stopped whenever the energy storage device is fully charged. Engine power output required was determined with a vehicle simulation code to be 15 to 20 kW steady state with peak output of 40 to 45 kW for hill climb. Combustion chamber and engine geometry were determined from a critical review of the hydrogen engine experiments in the literature combined with a simplified global engine model. Two different engine models are employed to guide engine design. The models are a simplified global engine performance model that relies strongly on correlations with literature data for heat transfer and friction losses, and a state-of-the-art CFD combustion model, KIVA-3, to elucidate fluid mechanics and combustion details through full three-dimensional modeling. Both intake and exhaust processes as well as hydrogen combustion chemistry and thermal NO{sub x} production are simulated. Ultimately, a comparison between the simulation and experimental results will lead to improved modeling and will give guidance to changes required in the next generation engine to achieve the goal of 45% brake thermal efficiency.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48; W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 95252
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-120091; CONF-9509196-1; ON: DE95015999; TRN: AHC29523%%47
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 95. American Society of Mechanical Engineers` (ASME) internal combustion engin Fall conference, Milwaukee, WI (United States), 24-27 Sep 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Evaluation of 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid Electic Drive System Interim Report - Revised
A hybrid vehicle evaluation code and its application to vehicle design. Revision 2