Perkins Engines showcase hydrogen power with a hybrid approach

Hydrogen power with a hybrid approach, as Perkins showcases its fuel configurable, industrial open power unit (IOPU) at Conexpo.

Peter Haddock caught up with expert Ian Evans, find out more.

Ian: “This is Project Coeus, which has been developed with Equipmake and Loughborough University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering.

“Over the last year, we’ve run our hydrogen engine in two variants, a port fuel injected and a direct injection version. Now we’re starting to bring the whole system together and develop the hybridisation of that system as well.”

“The IOPU on show produces around 190 kW from the hydrogen engine, compared with approximately 225 kW from its diesel counterpart.

“Some of the peak power is already close to diesel, and the hybrid system helps minimise any power difference between the two. Hydrogen relies much more on managing airflow through the engine.

“Using the hybrid system gives us instantaneous torque, so we can support the transmission while the combustion engine builds its power.”

The prototype shown includes the full integrated system:

• Hydrogen internal combustion engine

• Hybrid motor generator unit (MGU)

• Twin turbochargers for airflow management

• Hydrogen fuel rail and injection system

• SCR aftertreatment to manage NOx

• Integrated cooling and battery systems