• Energy Research
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Vehicles with electric propulsion systems are increasingly more often equipped with solutions that improve their drive system’s efficiency. The latest vehicle model with a fuel cell hybrid system – Toyota Mirai was used in this experiment. The design of this vehicle is similar to that of hybrid vehicles in many aspects. However, new fuel cell technologies are being developed for automotive use, including compressed hydrogen tanks and control systems. The article presents an analysis of a fuel cell operation during vehicle start-up and driving, with particular emphasis on the hydrogen injection strategy of the three fuel injectors used in the fuel cell. The fuel cell interaction with the high-voltage battery has also been characterized. It has been shown that increase in the electrical supply voltage of the vehicle’s electric motor can be observed at high torque values of the electric motor. The maximum voltage gain – approximately three times (up to about 650 V) – allows for double the torque of the drive system compared to the standard value.

Vehicles with electric propulsion systems are increasingly more often equipped with solutions that improve their drive system’s efficiency. The latest vehicle model with a fuel cell hybrid system – Toyota Mirai was used in this experiment. The design of this vehicle is similar to that of hybrid vehicles in many aspects. However, new fuel cell technologies are being developed for automotive use, including compressed hydrogen tanks and control systems. The article presents an analysis of a fuel cell operation during vehicle start-up and driving, with particular emphasis on the hydrogen injection strategy of the three fuel injectors used in the fuel cell. The fuel cell interaction with the high-voltage battery has also been characterized. It has been shown that increase in the electrical supply voltage of the vehicle’s electric motor can be observed at high torque values of the electric motor. The maximum voltage gain – approximately three times (up to about 650 V) – allows for double the torque of the drive system compared to the standard value.

The study concerns the use of biogas as a fuel for supplying a modified self-ignition engine. As a result of the modifications made, the compression ratio was reduced and the engine was equipped with an ignition system and an electronically activated engine throttle. The changes have made it possible to burn biogas in a high compression ratio engine. The paper presents the results of research conducted on a low power cogeneration system with engine that drives an electrical machine cooperating with a 380/400 V network. The analysis includes, among other things, the possibility of producing electricity using biogas. The paper presents the influence of regulatory parameters such as the volume and composition of the supplied gas mixture and the degree of throttle opening on the obtained engine operation indicators and the driven electric machine. The tests were carried out in relation to the obtained ecological indicators depending on the concentration in the exhaust of such substances as: HC, CO, NOx.

The study concerns the use of biogas as a fuel for supplying a modified self-ignition engine. As a result of the modifications made, the compression ratio was reduced and the engine was equipped with an ignition system and an electronically activated engine throttle. The changes have made it possible to burn biogas in a high compression ratio engine. The paper presents the results of research conducted on a low power cogeneration system with engine that drives an electrical machine cooperating with a 380/400 V network. The analysis includes, among other things, the possibility of producing electricity using biogas. The paper presents the influence of regulatory parameters such as the volume and composition of the supplied gas mixture and the degree of throttle opening on the obtained engine operation indicators and the driven electric machine. The tests were carried out in relation to the obtained ecological indicators depending on the concentration in the exhaust of such substances as: HC, CO, NOx.

The paper presents a new concept of the turbine engine in the area of pressure gain combustion (PGE). The engine works according to Humphrey’s cycle. Minor modification in construction has allowed power generation of 500 kW, 700 kW, 1000 kW, and 1800 kW. The concept successfully resolved the challenges related to the temporary opening and closing of the combustion chamber. The presented valve timing system has ensured effective gas flow and what stands behind it, an effective process of conversion of a high-pressure gas impulse into mechanical energy. Rotating combustion chambers enabled the application of an effective sealing system. The concept characterizes simple construction and potentially low power-to-weight coefficient. The CFD numerical analysis of the presented engine concept showed very promising effective efficiency and low specific fuel consumption.

The paper presents a new concept of the turbine engine in the area of pressure gain combustion (PGE). The engine works according to Humphrey’s cycle. Minor modification in construction has allowed power generation of 500 kW, 700 kW, 1000 kW, and 1800 kW. The concept successfully resolved the challenges related to the temporary opening and closing of the combustion chamber. The presented valve timing system has ensured effective gas flow and what stands behind it, an effective process of conversion of a high-pressure gas impulse into mechanical energy. Rotating combustion chambers enabled the application of an effective sealing system. The concept characterizes simple construction and potentially low power-to-weight coefficient. The CFD numerical analysis of the presented engine concept showed very promising effective efficiency and low specific fuel consumption.

The paper presents a simplified methodology for generating the characteristic curve of fuel doses for common rail injectors, which consists in limiting the number of measurements on the test bench and calculating missing data using predefined (array) functions of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This allows checking the method of fuel delivery in a wide spectrum of predefined pressures and atomiser opening times, while reducing the arduousness and time-consumption of the active experiment phase. The proposed solution is particularly useful in problematic situations when standard manufacturer's tests, referred only to selected work points, make it impossible to clearly assess the technical condition of the injector.

The paper presents a simplified methodology for generating the characteristic curve of fuel doses for common rail injectors, which consists in limiting the number of measurements on the test bench and calculating missing data using predefined (array) functions of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This allows checking the method of fuel delivery in a wide spectrum of predefined pressures and atomiser opening times, while reducing the arduousness and time-consumption of the active experiment phase. The proposed solution is particularly useful in problematic situations when standard manufacturer's tests, referred only to selected work points, make it impossible to clearly assess the technical condition of the injector.