India’s commitment to sustainable transportation is driving the adoption of new clean fuel technologies. A significant advancement in this area is a retrofit system developed by UNSW researchers that allows existing diesel engines to operate on 90% hydrogen. This innovation promises to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions while improving engine efficiency by an estimated 26%.
The retrofit system provides a practical approach for businesses to lower their emissions without discarding existing equipment. The system replaces the existing diesel injection mechanism with direct hydrogen injection. This design allows for independent control over the injection timing of both hydrogen and diesel. A major advantage of this retrofit is its ability to function efficiently with lower-quality hydrogen.
Research has shown that the stratified hydrogen injection technique produces varying concentrations within the engine cylinder. This results in a reduction of nitrous oxide emissions below the levels of conventional diesel engines. The Indian government’s plans for environmentally friendly mobility encompass the development of hydrogen processing infrastructure. With the establishment of such infrastructure, these retrofit kits have the potential for widespread use.
UNSW is preparing to commercialize these retrofit kits, targeting fleet and generator operators, including mining companies, that already use hydrogen. Other brands are also creating retrofit kits, such as HYDI. The HYDI system uses a Direct Injection Device to create its own hydrogen, requiring only occasional water additions. This eliminates the need for hydrogen fueling infrastructure and may reduce fuel consumption by 5–13%.