HiMSEN To Target Stationary Market With Pure-Hydrogen Engine

An HD HHI-EMD representative also clarified the engine builder’s twin track combustion strategy. The company is pursuing a single fuel gas engine combustion approach firstly and then will extend the dual-fuel combustion concept (currently used in its dual-fuel hydrogen engine) for the pure hydrogen design.

HD HHI-EMD is currently working on optimising the combustion control for the hydrogen engine at its R&D facilities at the Engine Research Center in Ulsan, and is reviewing existing combustion chamber geometries. An HD HHI-EMD spokesman noted that as the hydrogen mixing ratio increases, the combustion duration tends to become shorter, leading to higher cylinder pressures.

Assuming combustion stability considerations can be addressed, the final decision is likely to be influenced by the modelled emissions profile from the different combustion concepts, The Motorship notes, although the need for the engine to be compatible with existing aftertreatment and turbomachinery solutions within an ambitious project development timetable is likely to constrain engine designer choices.

The Motorship previously reported that HD HHI-EMD plans to commercialise a pure-gas four-stroke hydrogen-fuelled engine concept and that it anticipates a 2025 market launch for the engine depending on market demand in early November.

HD HHI-EMD confirmed to The Motorship that that the engine was being developed primarily for the stationary market, but noted that the company would also respond to commercial demand for its solutions in the marine market.

The development is consistent with HD HHI Group’s stated hydrogen value chain targets, which include the development of the world’s first 20,000 cbm liquefied hydrogen carrier by 2025 as well as the construction of a 100MW green hydrogen production plant. In July 2022, Sungjoon Kim, Head of HD KSOE’s Advanced Research Center, identified the maritime hydrogen value chain as a potential solution to both energy supply and decarbonisation challenges. At the time, he suggested the green hydrogen production technology and the development of a liquefied hydrogen carrier represented core technologies that will increase the possibility of the marine hydrogen business.

The Motorship has previously reported on HD HHI-EMD’s combustion research into the development of a pure hydrogen engine design. We note that parent company HD KSOE has received an AiP for a liquefied hydrogen carrier system using a HiMSEN engine, while a subsidiary of HD KSOE is also among the partners in an EU-funded project to develop a 160,000 cbm liquified hydrogen (LH2) containment system for ships, LH2CRAFT.