Researchers are converting a diesel engine into a hydrogen engine

Researchers from Australia have apparently succeeded in developing a system that can be used to convert almost any diesel engine into a hydrogen hybrid engine. This would drastically reduce truck and machine emissions.

Researchers convert diesel into hydrogen engines

At the moment there are still many unanswered questions in the fight against climate change. It seems clear that sustainable alternatives are needed. But that will probably take more time than we have. One example is the shift towards sustainable mobility in the logistics sector. Because there are still few electric or hydrogen-powered trucks.

However, that could soon change at least when it comes to researchers from Australia. A team from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in Sydney has modified a diesel engine so that it can also be operated with hydrogen.

From diesel to hydrogen: it should be possible to convert almost every truck

This is made possible by a retrofit system that allows the additional injection of hydrogen. A small part of diesel and a larger part of hydrogen flow continuously into the engine. The engine then ignites the mixture and uses it to propel the vehicle.

According to the study, the researchers were able to reduce CO2 emissions by around 85.9 percent. The technology would therefore have a gigantic impact on the sector. Logistics companies would not have to purchase any additional vehicles, but could instead convert their existing infrastructure. However, that could take months.

Hydrogen engine: Large amounts of sustainable hydrogen required

Especially in a highly competitive market, the failure of a vehicle for weeks or even months can spell disaster. The researchers therefore have to find a way to get vehicles back on the road more quickly. If that succeeds, theoretically nothing stands in the way of a hydrogen revolution.

What remains, however, is the challenge of how we produce hydrogen. Ideally, there should be no emissions during production. If that succeeds, soon more water will probably come out of the exhaust instead of dirty nitrogen oxides.

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