Talk:EFI Hydrogen Engine Conceptual Design

Building something akin to a Gas Phase Autogas System / Manifold Injection or Throttle Body Injection is probably “do-able”

My main concern with a more “efi”-like system is if NASA has issues with Hydrogen Leaks / Valve Reliability, i am concerned how OSE would deal with the issue.

I’ll need to check what COTS options are out there for Gaseous Hydrogen Regulators / Gaseous Hydrogen Valves etc / what seals and gaskets tend to be used etc, but yeah.

Also i say this well aware that i like DME of all things which ITSELF has major Gasket / Seal issues lol. (One of the papers had a whole rant by some mechanic on the issue, “dm-oh my” or something was the term they used lol)

I’ll have to see if Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines run at Stoichiometric AFR or what; Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines / Diesels have issues using the “conventional” Three Way Catalytic Converters and thus have to use SCR and DEF etc which is a real hassle (meanwhile as long as noone steals it, 3 Way Catalytic Converters Converters just “do the thing”

SHORT OF sensors. That’s another bit to check. I know the Carbon Monoxide Detector i just bought had an interesting bit on placement where it said Deep Cycle Lead Acid Batteries could throw it off/mess with it’s sensor. I think the Hydrogen messes with the electrochemical sensor?, had something similar happen on a job once (I THINK, may just be old crappy gear too lol :3 )

There was a ton of welding going on and some of the values on the 5 Gas Mater were in the negatives somehow. Not by much (0.1 or so iirc) , but noticeably. I did some digging and SUPPOSEDLY Hydrogen can do that, which tracks with the Home CO Detector Warning.

Main issue with all this is it may mean COTS Sensors for A/F Ratio or what have you may not work.

Granted an engine with NO sensors can be done, but this can make troubleshooting a bit of a pain (RE: Small Engines / Gas Landscaping Tools / SBS or UTVs etc)

Compared to “the code or giant screen says it’s that part, ah yep it’s that part, quick swap and we’re good” vs “well we checked the spark plug and that wasn’t the issue, swapped the fuel, the fuel pump, cleaned the x, y, and z and it’s STILL NOT WORKING!)

Intermittent Faults and not being able to replicate them when the mechanic is around etc could be especially problematic with no sensors/system to document their readings.

ALL IN ALL, i think a hydrogen engine isn’t a horrible idea, especially an Auto-Derived Genset type stationary engine (where safety/reliability don’t matter as much/are easily managed due to less SWAP Concerns etc, and where the advantage of cheap Solar-to-Hydrogen are compelling) but for use as a Traction Motor / as the main engine in something portable, i see various issues that make that not seem like the best option (over CNG , Alcohol Fuels , or other fuels (or just a BEV / conventional PHEV etc)