Advances in Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel Engine Technology: A Systematic Review of Emissions and Performance Characteristics

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 12 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Naseer Salman Kadhim, Salem Mater Adhas, Emad Al-Mahdawi, Tom Milton

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I3P105

How to Cite?

Naseer Salman Kadhim, Salem Mater Adhas, Emad Al-Mahdawi, Tom Milton, "Advances in Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel Engine Technology: A Systematic Review of Emissions and Performance Characteristics," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 61-70, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I3P105

Abstract:

To meet the increasing energy needs globally and due to the depletion of fossil fuels, this systematic review aims to examine hydrogen diesel dual-fuel technology as a possible replacement for combustion engines. However, hydrogen is environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and carbon neutral. Still, several unknowns exist regarding the best methods of applying hydrogen in internal combustion engines and the challenges of using hydrogen in practice. This investigation details the energetic performance and emissions of hydrogen-diesel systems at various operating conditions and fills the gaps in knowledge on injection strategies, equivalence ratios, and performance limits. Our methodology involves strict criteria for article selection, clear metrics, and statistical analysis to ensure the robustness of the comparison. Quantitative results show that Brake Thermal Efficiency is improved by 8-15% with hydrogen enrichment at all operating conditions and reaches a maximum of 53.4% at optimal conditions. The optimal hydrogen substitution rate is chosen based on the best tradeoff between the combustion improvement and the volumetric efficiency. The emissions analysis shows that CO (33-48%), CO₂ (25-40%), and HC (78-85%) emissions are decreased dramatically while NOx emissions increase by 6-21% at high loads, which is still an unresolved problem. This study has several novel contributions, including systematic quantification of the effects of hydrogen substitution rates on combustion and resolution of the conflicting trends in NOx emissions by correlating them with specific operational variables. On-demand electrolysis is proposed as a solution to the hydrogen storage problem and an overall assessment of economic feasibility and component durability during the continuous operation of the dual fuel system. The research also considers ethical issues in hydrogen production, focusing on environmental justice, equity, and resource competition. Future research involves advanced control strategies, new NOx mitigation methods, and better electrolyzer designs. This work fills the gap between the theoretical potential of hydrogen and its real application. It provides practical recommendations for improving the efficiency of hydrogen-diesel dual fuel systems and thus reducing carbon emissions in transportation.

Keywords:

Alternative fuel, Clean fuel, Enrichment diesel, Engine emissions, Hydrogen.

References:

[1] World Energy Outlook 2022, International Energy Agency (IEA), 2022.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[2] J.M. Gomes Antunes, R. Mikalsen, and A.P. Roskilly, “An Experimental Study of a Direct Injection Compression Ignition Hydrogen Engine,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 34, no. 15, pp. 6516-6522, 2009.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[3] Ward Al-Asadi, “A Study on the Effects of Combined Diesel-Hydrogen Combustion on Diesel Engines Using Experimental and Simulation Techniques,” Ph.D. Thesis, Brunel University, pp. 1-153, 2018.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[4] N. Saravanan et al., “Experimental Investigation of Hydrogen Fuel Injection in DI Dual Fuel Diesel Engine,” SAE International, Technical Paper, pp. 1-10, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[5] N. Saravanan et al., “Combustion Analysis on a DI Diesel Engine with Hydrogen in Dual Fuel Mode,” Fuel, vol. 87, no. 17-18, pp. 3591-3599, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[6] Alberto Boretti et al., “Advantages of the Direct Injection of Both Diesel and Hydrogen in Dual Fuel H2ICE,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 36, no. 15, pp. 9312-9317, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[7] W.B. Santoso, R.A. Bakar, and A. Nur, “Combustion Characteristics of Diesel-Hydrogen Dual Fuel Engine at Low Load,” Energy Procedia, vol. 32, pp. 3-10, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[8] D.B. Lata, Ashok Misra, and S. Medhekar, “Effect of Hydrogen and LPG Addition on the Efficiency and Emissions of a Dual Fuel Diesel Engine,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 37, no. 7, pp. 6084-6096, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]  
[9] M. Masood, M.M. Ishrat, and A.S. Reddy, “Computational Combustion and Emission Analysis of Hydrogen-Diesel Blends with Experimental Verification,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 32, no. 13, pp. 2539-2547, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[10] Vinod Singh Yadav, S.L. Soni, and Dilip Sharma, “Performance and Emission Studies of Direct Injection C.I. Engine in Dual Fuel Mode (Hydrogen-Diesel) with EGR,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 3807-3817, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[11] Yasin Karagöz, “Effect of Hydrogen Addition at Different Levels on Emissions and Performance of a Diesel Engine,” Journal of Thermal Engineering, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1780-1790, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[12] Gregory K. Lilik et al., “Hydrogen Assisted Diesel Combustion,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 4382-4398, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[13] S. Bari, and M. Mohammad Esmaeil, “Effect of H2/O2 Addition in Increasing the Thermal Efficiency of a Diesel Engine,” Fuel, vol. 89, no. 2, pp. 378-383, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[14] Satbir Singh, Shiyu Liu, and Hailin Li, “Numerical Investigation of Nox Formation Mechanism in H2-Diesel Dual Fuel Engine,” SAE International, Technical Paper, pp. 1-16, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[15] Ho Lung Yip et al., “A Review of Hydrogen Direct Injection for Internal Combustion Engines: Towards Carbon-Free Combustion,” Applied Sciences, vol. 9, no. 22, pp. 1-30, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[16] Arkadiusz Jamrozik, Karol Grab-Rogaliński, and Wojciech Tutak, “Hydrogen Effects on Combustion Stability, Performance and Emission of Diesel Engine,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 45, no. 38, pp. 19936-19947, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[17] Osama H. Ghazal, “Performance and Combustion Characteristic of CI Engine Fueled with Hydrogen Enriched Diesel,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 38, no. 35, pp. 15469-15476, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[18] M.J. Mohammed, N.S. Kadhim, and N.J. Imran, “Studying the Effect of Magnetic Flux on Diesel Fuel Line on Some Performance and Emission of Diesel Engine,” Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 55, no. 5, pp. 1774-1780, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[19] Carlos Pardo García, Sofia Orjuela Abril, and Jhon Pabón Leónb, “Analysis of Performance, Emissions, and Lubrication in a Spark-Ignition Engine Fueled with Hydrogen Gas Mixtures,” Heliyon, vol. 8, no. 11, pp. 1-13, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[20] Nicolas Castro, Mario Toledo, and German Amador, “An Experimental Investigation of the Performance and Emissions of a Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engine,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 156, pp. 660-667, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[21] R. Lewis, and R.S. Dwyer-Joyce, “Combating Automotive Engine Valve Recession: A Case Study,” Tribology and Lubrication Technology, vol. 59, no. 10, pp. 48-51, 2003.
[Google Scholar]
[22] “Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector,” International Energy Agency, pp. 1-224, 2021.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[23] R.A. Bakar et al., “Experimental Analysis on the Performance, Combustion/Emission Characteristics of a DI Diesel Engine Using Hydrogen in Dual Fuel Mode,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 52, pp. 843-860, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[24] Nurullah Gültekin, and Murat Ciniviz, “Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Hydrogen Ratio on Engine Performance and Emissions in a Compression Ignition Single Cylinder Engine,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 48, no. 66, pp. 25984-25999, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link] 
[25] Kathleen Kennedy, and Maria Borrero, A Path Toward Equity: How Policymakers Can Shape the Future of Hydrogen, School of Public Policy, Center for Global Sustainability, University of Maryland, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://cgs.umd.edu/news/path-toward-equity-how-policymakers-can-shape-future-hydrogen-0