Cummins Inc., and key technology partners have celebrated the completion of a joint project to develop hydrogen internal combustion engine technology for commercial vehicles.
Cummins led a consortium of technology companies; Johnson Matthey, PHINIA and Zircotec in ‘Project Brunel’, to successfully deliver a 6.7-litre hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) for medium-duty trucks and buses. The project was match-funded by UK Government, and facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC).
Together, the project partners developed a hydrogen internal combustion engine concept based on Cummins’ proven spark-ignited engine platform. Underpinned by new hydrogen fuel injection technology from PHINIA, after-treatment catalyst and advanced metals chemistry development from Johnson Matthey, and hydrogen barrier coatings from Zircotec, Project Brunel has delivered significant improvements in H2-ICE engine performance and durability.
Using zero-carbon hydrogen fuel and equipped with an after-treatment system, the 6.7-litre engine delivers a more than 99% reduction in tailpipe carbon emissions and ultra-low NOx, compared to the current diesel engine standard (Euro VI). Hydrogen internal combustion engine technology is widely seen as a viable path to reducing the air quality impact of heavier-duty or longer-range applications.
The project investment from the Department for Business and Trade, delivered through the APC, offered a significant opportunity for the UK to create a high-value H2-ICE manufacturing base and a competitive export business. It has been a pleasure working with the consortium on this project, and we look forward to seeing success in the market for all the partners.”
While the 6.7-litre engine was developed for medium-duty vehicles, the design is scalable to heavy-duty applications, including non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) such as construction and agricultural equipment. Cummins is already developing a 15-litre hydrogen internal combustion engine for heavy-duty vehicles.
Photo of Cummins
Press release https://tinyurl.com/zd4zf4t7
