Theoretical assessment of operating parameters in diesel railway engine converted to hydrogen fuel
1
Digas Ltd., Matīsa Iela 69A - 22, LV-1009 Riga, Latvia
2
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia
3
National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, Ukraine
4
Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
Submission date: 2025-10-27
Final revision date: 2025-12-03
Acceptance date: 2025-12-11
Online publication date: 2025-12-11
Publication date: 2025-12-12
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Abstract
This paper presents a theoretical evaluation of operating-parameter changes in a Cummins NTA855-R4 diesel engine converted to spark-ignited hydrogen operation. The objective is to quantify the attainable brake power after conversion and to characterise the accompanying shifts in combustion dynamics and mechanical loading. Thermodynamic modelling with parametric sweeps indicates that hydrogen increases peak cylinder pressure and pressure-rise rate, while a like-for-like conversion tends to reduce effective power. When internal mixture formation is applied, the indicated and brake efficiencies rise by approximately 7–10%. Complete substitution of diesel with hydrogen is achievable without power loss when using external mixture formation (port fuel injection) at lean excess-air ratios (λ ≈ 2–3). However, the correspondingly rapid heat release can elevate loads on the crank-train, necessitating careful control of combustion phasing and pressure-rise limits to protect reliability and durability.
FUNDING
Agreement concluded on 12 July 2024 between the Competence Centre and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency on the implementation of the European Union Recovery Fund Project No. 2.2.1.3.i.0/1/24/A/CFLA/007, Study No. D.3.1 “Passenger train hydrogen internal combustion engine control system”.
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