Is it possible to run a diesel engine on hydrogen? if so, how complex is the process?

Question

Is it possible to run a diesel engine on hydrogen? if so, how complex is the process?

Answer 1

no.

but if you rip out the noisy smelly diesel & put in an electric motor, which can be powered by either hydrogen fuel cell or battery, you will have a much better motive power solution.

(and the hydrogen is just an  inefficeient and unnecessary energy storage stage between the primary fuel making electric -current hydrogen production requires electric - and the electric in the vehicle)

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Answer 2

No,but mine runs on free waste veg. oil.

Answer 3

Not unless you want to have a large explosion.  Hydrogen is combustible volatile gas and you would not want to use it in any conventional combustion engine.  You would need to convert the car to run on electricity and hydrogen will deliver electrical power to run the engine.  Hydrogen is electrical energy carrier.

Answer 4

Yes, you can design a diesel engine to run on just about anything that burns.  Examples of fuels that have been used in diesel engines include: conventional diesel oil (i.e. No.2 distillate oils), kerosene, methanol, ethanol, natural gas, sewer gas, landfill gas, LPG.  Hydrogen should not be a problem as long as the engine is designed for it.

Answer 5

I know diesel engines on ships can run on methane (CH4), so its probably possible with the right adjustments.

Answer 6

no- it ignites too easy and would destroy the motor in short order.

Answer 7

Yes, Hydrogen doesn't explode that much easier than other fuels and modified diesel engines that combine the oxygen and hydrogen at the last moment is the best way to use hydrogen as a combustion fuel. The process of converting an engine to use hydrogen is identical to the process to convert an engine to use natural gas. The engine just needs to be adjusted to a different compression than natural gas.

I've never done it myself, but yes, this is possible. Now how well it can turn out afterwards is entirely up in the air.

Answer 8

Hydrogen is an unstable gas in that type of use, so would not be wise choice. Diesel engines are designed to run on liqiud fuel which is ingnited due to the commpression of the fuel air mixture with out spark plugs.