International Partner Search

Innovation & Technology Offer

Add on system for hydrogen production and use as an additive in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)

Country of Origin: Cyprus
Reference Number: TOCY20171130001
Publication Date: 4 December 2017

Summary

A Cypriot SME developed an innovative system that can be added to an engine (end-of-pipe technology) without any modifications. The concept is to use hydrogen for more efficient combustion leading to decreased fuel consumption, emissions and cleaner engine. The system has been tested on different engines and is on type testing stage. Partners for technical cooperation agreement, commercial agreement with technical support or joint venture with specialisation in the maritime sector are sought.

Description

The system was developed through the collaboration of an SME and a Research Institution in Cyprus and was awarded an SME Instrument Phase I Grant. This innovative system was developed over years of research and prototypes that were tested on a number of different engines. The SME is active in the local market in the field of mechanical works and pump installation for a number of years and recently has been involved with the development of the present product. 



The Maritime industry is focusing in engine efficiency and fuel consumption reduction as a means of reducing costs and increasing profits. Additionally, new emission regulations demand lower levels of produced SOx and NOx . With this in mind, the SME is mainly focused in the uptake of the innovation by the Maritime Sector. 



The innovation can be retrofitted to an engine, main or auxiliary, with minimal modifications. The main benefit of the proposed system is that, even though it uses hydrogen, it does not require storage of the gas in any way, making it a far safer option for engine operation. 



The electrolysis cell consists of metal alloy plates coated with catalyst which enables fast rates of water electrolysis with low electricity demand. The electrolyzer used, is a mixture of oxides in specific analogies that enables electricity to pass through water and achieve high rates of hydrogen production. When hydrogen is produced, it is led to the combustion chamber via the air inlet where it co-combusts with the fossil fuel. Since hydrogen combustion is more complete and efficient than any other fossil fuel, it achieves almost a complete combustion of the existing fuel. As a result, less fossil fuel is needed to achieve the energy demand. 



It has been observed in all tests performed that the reduction of fossil fuel reached 30% with the use of Hydrogen as an additive. Since complete combustion occurs, no carbon built up is observed in the engine, prolonging the lifespan of the latter. As far as the gaseous emissions, complete combustion reflects to significantly lower CO emissions (20-30%), lower CO2 emissions (15-20%), lower NOx and SOx emissions and lower Particulate Matter (PM) emissions (0 ppm).



Tests have been performed on small scale applications (10-55 HP electric generators) as well as large scale applications (400, 500, 1000 HP electric generators 1707HP steam boiler). In all applications it was observed that fossil fuel combustion was found to be reduced by 15-30%, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions by 20-30%. All measurements were performed with state of the art equipment provided by the Research Organisation and, concerning large scale applications, engines were checked and verified by a Government Organisation.

A partner specialised in the Maritime Sector is sought for Technical Cooperation Agreement, Commercial Agreement with Technical Support or Joint Venture so as to increase market uptake, Type Testing and certification and even further development.

Advantages and Innovations

Hydrogen can be used in existing engines minimizing fossil fuel consumption by 30% and greenhouse gas emissions (SO2, CO2, CO, NOx, PM) by 30%.

Electricity demand for electrolysis is negligible

Moreover, in all applications, no carbon built up was observed, which indicates that the engine runs clean. 

Added to this, no hydrogen storage is needed, since it is produced via electrolysis on demand.

Stage Of Development

Prototype available for demonstration

Stage Of Development Comment

The hydrogen production unit has been developed and tested thoroughly on both small scale and large scale applications. It was tested on internal combustion engines of 2, 40, 300, 400 800 and 1707.7 HP. In all applications a significant reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gaseous emissions was observed.

Requested partner

Specifically looking for a partnership agreement with Marine Engine Manufacturers or Ship Owners/ Operators for further development and deployment.



Marine engine manufacturers can become involved with the SME with all types of sought cooperation since they can choose to offer the product to their customers and assist in installation activities (Commersial agreement with technical support/ technical cooperation agreement). Additionally the partners can assist in the improvement and further development of the product (Joint venture agreement). 



Ship owners/ operators, can cooperate with the SME in a commercial agreement with technical assistance and a technical cooperation agreement, by installing and operating the devices on their ships and receiveing support and assistance during the installation and maintenance of the product.