Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

Hydrogen internal combustion engine

Advantages

  • Components and design can be very similar to conventional gasoline engines
  • Produces no direct carbon emissions from combustion
  • Performs well under harsh weather conditions

Disadvantages

  • The large storage tanks can compromise vehicle cargo space
  • Can produce slightly higher nitrogen oxide emissions compared to conventional vehicles
  • Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is limited at this time

Although the hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE) may produce slightly higher nitrogen oxide gas emissions (compared to conventional gasoline-powered engines), it is a positive environmental technology because it virtually eliminates carbon dioxide emissions, unburned hydrocarbons, non-methane organic gases and other environmental pollutants. Since hydrogen is a gas at atmospheric temperature and pressure, it does not have to be pumped into the combustion chamber or cylinder under high pressure. As hydrogen gas is injected, it quickly expands to fill the entire volume of the cylinder, which results in a more efficient combustion process.

A HICE operates similarly to a conventional internal combustion engine except that it is powered by hydrogen gas. In addition, a few design modifications are required to ensure that the engine functions appropriately in accordance with the specific characteristics of hydrogen gas. The eTV program acquired a GMC Sierra from the Integrated Waste Hydrogen Utilization Project (IWHUP), which is powered by a HICE.

It is also claimed that HICEs perform well under most weather conditions because they require virtually no warm-up, have no cold-start issues even at sub-zero temperatures and achieve 25% better fuel efficiency than conventional spark-ignition engines.

In comparison to fuel-cell vehicles that are fuelled with hydrogen, HICE vehicles operate at lower efficiency. Therefore, a fuel-cell vehicle can travel much further on a given amount of hydrogen than a HICE vehicle. However, since the components and design of HICEs are similar to that of conventional gasoline engines, they are often regarded as a simpler and less expensive alternative to fuel cells.

Hydrogen Gas

Hydrogen gas rarely exists in a pure state in nature because it bonds with other elements to make compounds like water (H2O) and methane (CH4). The compounds must be separated in order to obtain pure hydrogen gas. Pure hydrogen is often obtained through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR), which breaks down methane gas blends (such as natural gas) into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Another process to obtain pure hydrogen is electrolysis, which separates H2O into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy.

The resulting greenhouse gas emissions from hydrogen-powered vehicles using hydrogen obtained through SMR is much less than the greenhouse gas emissions emitted by conventional gasoline vehicles. However, in order for electrolysis to be most beneficial, the electricity used should be created in an environmentally sustainable manner, such as solar, wind or hydroelectric power.

In addition, the limited infrastructure available to distribute hydrogen gas presents a major barrier to the widespread use of HICEs and fuel-cell vehicles. While hydrogen fuelling stations do exist, few are accessible to the Canadian public. However, progress is being made, most notably in British Columbia, where the Hydrogen Highway project is underway, operating hydrogen refuelling stations in the Lower Mainland. These types of projects enable and advance the use of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies in Canada.

The general public still knows very little about hydrogen, and may even have some misconceptions about its safety. The Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP), one of three demonstration projects of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA), is working with eTV to assess the regulatory barriers to using hydrogen-powered vehicles in Canada, and to show how hydrogen can safely power motor vehicles. This study is a step towards developing a practical resource to address public safety concerns. By clearly showing the actual level of risk posed by hydrogen-powered vehicles, we can establish a process for getting permission from authorities across Canada to allow hydrogen-fuelled vehicles to park wherever other vehicles may park.

Also on the eTV site

Date modified:
2011-01-13