Porsche hydrogen engine prototype outperforms 8-cylinder gasoline engine
January 9, 2023The luxury automaker has announced that its design matches performance with lower fuel consumption.
Porsche has developed a hydrogen engine prototype for luxury sports cars that will not only match a V8, 4.4-liter internal combustion engine while also reducing fuel consumption and maintaining emissions equivalent to ambient air.
The automaker first conceived of the project in mid-2022 and it has now been fully digitally designed.
Porsche created a digital version of the hydrogen engine using sophisticated virtual engine simulations. The jumping off point for the H2 drivetrain was the digital data set for its gasoline-powered counterpart. This was used as a benchmark that must be matched as a minimum by the H2 version.
Modifications to the conventional internal combustion engine included a higher compression ratio and combustion alternations to make it appropriate for H2 gas. It also includes a newly designed turbocharging system.
To be able to achieve clean H2 combustion, the turbochargers are required to offer about twice the air mass as is needed in a comparable gasoline-powered model. That said, the design was also required to compensate for lower gas temperatures with the alternative fuel, as this could cause a lack of propulsion energy.
As conventional turbochargers weren’t able to resolve the issue, the hydrogen engine required a redesign.
Traditional turbochargers don’t have the capacity to resolve that issue, therefore Porsche Engineering was required to develop alternatives. In fact, they came up with four new turbocharging concepts.
Each of the alternative systems consisted of a number of electrically supported turbochargers. Additional control valves were added some within their electrically powered compressors and their air systems. Each of the alternative configurations had its own advantages and disadvantages according to the automaker. The best option has a heavy dependence on the hydrogen engine’s use. Back-to-back compressors were an important part of the design that rivaled the gasoline-powered model.
“The special feature of this design is the coaxial arrangement of two compressor stages, which are driven by the turbine or the supporting electric motor using a common shaft,” said a statement issued by Porsche. “The process air flows through the first compressor, is cooled in the intercooler, and then recompressed in the second stage.”
This allowed the hydrogen engine to achieve a 440kW maximum output as well as a top speed of 261km/h, aligning well with gasoline powered V8 engines.
Learn About Porsche’s efuel...
Porsche’s hydrogen engine prototype is a significant step towards sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions.
By digitally designing a hydrogen engine that matches the performance of a V8, 4.4-liter internal combustion engine with lower fuel consumption and emissions equivalent to ambient air, Porsche demonstrates its commitment to alternative fuel options. The newly designed turbocharging system with four new turbocharging concepts overcomes the challenge of lower gas temperatures experienced with hydrogen fuel, allowing the hydrogen engine prototype to achieve a 440kW maximum output. While Porsche has yet to release a hydrogen car, this prototype underscores their dedication to exploring alternative fuel options, including hydrogen cars, to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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H2 powered engines appear to be superior to EV’s but I fear that a large investment in EV infrastructure may become an impediment to H2 adoption. As a layperson I constantly run into articles that emphasize hydrogen drawbacks, although EV’s also have drawbacks.
Finally we are getting to a smart, renewable solution. Hydride tanks will probably be the best storage solution but particle accelerators are easy to make.
I have investments in Volkswagen group and you’re wasting my money on things like this because a hydrogen fuel tank leaks so much it would lose almost all of it sitting for a week.
VW have lodged a patent, in conjunction with a German energy company, for a hydrogen fuel cell motor. The car is to be launched in 2026 and will do 2000km per refill.
You’re thinking of when it boils! This is only true for liquid hydrogen. As far as I know, gaseous hydrogen doesn’t have this issue.
Rubbish, Scott, not true.
hydrogen can only turn the climate change equation on it’s head. fresh drinking water by product, the world needs all fresh drinking water. the usa has 8 billion on the table for 8 new Hydrogen Production plants. we hope to get funding for our Methene to Hydrogen fuel, design. We need a sponsor, we are American Society of Mechanical Engineers, members. We have a “new design approved by the DOE”, we need the 1 Billion that the DOE, will loan guanatee for our Design. Hydrogen Fuel Supply Chain is the important part of this technology. my company has several US Patents, in the design, if any group has 1 Billion the DOE guanatees the Loan, due to the Importance to production of “Green Hydrogen”. If serious inquires, know of the Retainer, as sponsor, you share as General Partner, in profits.
I’m sure hydrogen will be king the high pressure idea needs to be scrapped on demand low pressure will dominate. This may scare energy companies. However they should be the ones who dispense the solution right into the onboard high performance HHO generator it will be easy for them and they will make good money with less hassle. And of coarse the earth will get a break from the rigors of such a mess.So what do I got to do engineer it for ya. Get to work research and development. Make it so.
still won’t be allowed in canada after 2035 because hydrogen produces nox as a green house has when burnt
Camille, Hydrogen doesn’t magically change into Nitrogen or Oxygen, the components needed to create Nitrogen Oxides. Burning Hydrogen creates pure water.
Phil, H2 combines with air before combustion. Air is 80ish% nitrogen. NOx are produced in this combustion process. Can be controlled by combustion temperatures, but not eliminated without post-processing.
Phil, H2 combines with air before combustion. Air is 80ish% nitrogen. NOx are produced in this combustion process. Can be controlled by combustion temperatures, but not eliminated without post-processing.