DOI: https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2025.12(43).1.383-391
Assessment of Hydrogen Additives Impact on the Durability and Reliability of Internal Combustion Engines
About the Authors
Denys Shalapko, Associate Professor, PhD in Technical Sciences (Candidate of Technical Sciences), Associate Professor of the Department of Shipbuilding and Energy, Kherson Educational and Scientific Institute of the National University of Shipbuilding, Kherson, Ukraine, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000- 0002-4311-3908, e-mail: shalapko.denys@gmail.com
Yan Tarandushka, Bachelor Student in Automobile Transport, Cherkasy State Technological University, Cherkasy, Ukraine; Student of the University of Žilina, Žilina, Slovakia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6103-800X, e-mail: yan453620@gmail.com
Abstract
This article presents a comprehensive assessment of the effects of hydrogen additives on internal combustion engines' durability and operational reliability (ICEs). In the context of the global energy transition and the need for decarbonization of the transport sector, hydrogen is considered a highly promising supplemental fuel due to its fast flame speed, broad flammability limits, and environmentally benign combustion products. When used as an additive to conventional fuels such as gasoline or diesel, hydrogen has the potential to reduce pollutant emissions, improve fuel economy, and enhance engine thermal efficiency.
The study integrates an in-depth review of the scientific literature with original experimental results obtained using a four-stroke diesel engine, in which hydrogen was introduced into the intake manifold at concentrations ranging from 5% to 20% by volume. The findings indicate that hydrogen enrichment enhances brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by up to 10% compared to baseline conditions. Moreover, a substantial reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions was observed. However, the rise in combustion temperature led to additional thermal stress on engine components, particularly valve seats, cylinder head areas, and piston rings. Signs of hydrogen embrittlement were also recorded, and increased moisture content in lubricants, reaching up to 2%, which promoted corrosion of metallic elements.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen-modified engines demonstrated stable performance throughout the 1000-hour test cycle. Nonetheless, maintenance intervals for critical components such as the valve train were reduced, underscoring the necessity of improved materials and lubricant formulations. It is concluded that hydrogen additives can provide an effective interim strategy for enhancing ICE performance, but further investigation into long-term mechanical and chemical impacts is essential.
Keywords
hydrogen, internal combustion engine, hydrogen embrittlement, wear, durability, reliability, emissions, combustion efficiency
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References
1. Bari, S., & Esmaeil, M. M. (2010). Effect of H₂/O₂ addition in increasing the thermal efficiency of a diesel engine. Fuel, 89(2), 378–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.07.018
2. Bose, P. K., & Maji, D. (2009). An experimental investigation on engine performance and emissions of a single cylinder diesel engine using hydrogen as inducted fuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34(11), 4847–4854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.03.017
3. El-Kassaby, M. M., Eldrainy, Y. A., Khidr, M. E., & Khidr, K. I. (2016). Hydroxy (HHO) gas addition affects gasoline engine performance and emissions. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 55(1), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.02.019
4. Gong, C., Li, Z., Yi, L., & Liu, F. (2023). Environmental and enviro-economic effect analysis of hydrogen- methanol-gasoline addition into an SI engine. Fuel, 345, 128237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128237
5. Green Car Congress. (2005, November 9). Hydrogen-enhanced combustion engine could improve gasoline fuel economy by 20% to 30%. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/hydrogenenhance.html
6. Li, Y., Wang, S., & Duan, X. (2021). Effects of hydrogen addition on the durability of internal combustion engine components. Journal of Cleaner Production, 312, 127845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127845
7. San Marchi, C., & Somerday, B. P. (2012). Technical reference for hydrogen compatibility of materials. Sandia National Laboratories. https://doi.org/10.2172/1048362
8. Saravanan, N., & Nagarajan, G. (2008). An experimental investigation of hydrogen-enriched air induction in a diesel engine system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 33(6), 1769–1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2007.11.027
9. Verhelst, S., Wallner, T., & Eichlseder, H. (2019). Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 35(6), 490–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2019.100713
10. Wang, S., Ji, C., & Zhang, B. (2023). Effect of hydrogen addition on the performance of a spark ignition engine fueled with methanol-gasoline blends. Energy, 262, 125456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125456
11. White, C. M., Steeper, R. R., & Lutz, A. E. (2006). The hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine: A technical review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 31(10), 1292–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.001
12. Shalapko, D. (2023). Optical-graphic studies of hydrogen additives’ effects on diesel fuel atomization parameters. Transport Problems, 18(4), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2023.18.4.11
13. Kukharenko, O., Shalapko, D., & Tarandushka, L. (2024). Hydrogen internal combustion engines in transport: Enhancing efficiency and overcoming infrastructure challenges. Central Ukrainian Scientific Bulletin. Technical Sciences, 9(40), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2024.9(40).2.164-174
14. Shalapko, D., Pyrysunko, M., Radchenko, R., & Kornienko, V. (2024). Analysis of cooling air at the inlet of marine engine with exhaust gas recirculation by ejector and absorption refrigeration. In Advances in Design, Simulation and Manufacturing VII (pp. 314–323). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63720-9_27
15. Shalapko, D. (2024). Advanced fuel system with gaseous hydrogen additives. Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences Technical Sciences, 72(2), 148837. https://doi.org/10.24425/bpasts.2024.148837
16. Shalapko, D. O. (2021). Investigation of the influence of the use of small hydrogen impurities to the main fuel on injection spraying. Collection of Scientific Publications NUS, 4, 14–19. https://doi.org/10.15589/znp2021.4(487).3
17. Shalapko, D. O. (2021). Investigation of the effects of wave oscillations in the fuel equipment of a diesel engine using hydrogen additives. Collection of Scientific Papers of Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding, 3(486), 40–47. [in Ukrainian].
Citations
1. Bari S., Esmaeil M. M. Effect of H₂/O₂ addition in increasing the thermal efficiency of a diesel engine. Fuel. 2010. Vol. 89, № 2. P. 378–383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.07.018.
2. Bose P. K., Maji D. An experimental investigation on engine performance and emissions of a single cylinder diesel engine using hydrogen as inducted fuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2009. Vol. 34, № 11. P. 4847–4854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.03.017.
3. El-Kassaby M. M., Eldrainy Y. A., Khidr M. E., Khidr K. I. Hydroxy (HHO) gas addition affects gasoline engine performance and emissions. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 2016. Vol. 55, № 1. P. 243–251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.02.019.
4. Gong C., Li Z., Yi L., Liu F. Environmental and enviro-economic effect analysis of hydrogen-methanol- gasoline addition into an SI engine. Fuel. 2023. Vol. 345. Art. 128237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128237.
5. Hydrogen-enhanced combustion engine could improve gasoline fuel economy by 20% to 30%. Green Car Congress : веб-сайт. 2005. 9 November. URL: www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/hydrogenenhance.html (дата звернення: 10.06.2025).
6. Li Y., Wang S., Duan X. Effects of hydrogen addition on the durability of internal combustion engine components. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021. Vol. 312. Art. 127845. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127845.
7. San Marchi C., Somerday B. P. Technical reference for hydrogen compatibility of materials. Sandia National Laboratories. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2172/1048362.
8. Saravanan N., Nagarajan G. An experimental investigation of hydrogen-enriched air induction in a diesel engine system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2008. Vol. 33, № 6. P. 1769–1775. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2007.11.027.
9. Verhelst S., Wallner T., Eichlseder H. Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 2019. Vol. 35, № 6. P. 490–527. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2019.100713.
10. Wang S., Ji C., Zhang B. Effect of hydrogen addition on the performance of a spark ignition engine fueled with methanol-gasoline blends. Energy. 2023. Vol. 262. Art. 125456. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125456.
11. White C. M., Steeper R. R., Lutz A. E. The hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine: A technical review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2006. Vol. 31, № 10. P. 1292–1305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.001.
12. Shalapko D. Optical-graphic studies of hydrogen additives’ effects on diesel fuel atomization parameters. Transport Problems. 2023. Vol. 18, № 4. P. 135–146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2023.18.4.11.
13. Kukharenko O., Shalapko D., Tarandushka L. Hydrogen internal combustion engines in transport: Enhancing efficiency and overcoming infrastructure challenges. Central Ukrainian Scientific Bulletin. Technical Sciences. 2024. Vol. 9, № 40. P. 164–174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2024.9(40).2.164-174.
14. Shalapko D., Pyrysunko M., Radchenko R., Kornienko V. Analysis of cooling air at the inlet of marine engine with exhaust gas recirculation by ejector and absorption refrigeration. In: Advances in Design, Simulation and Manufacturing VII. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024. P. 314–323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63720-9_27.
15. Shalapko D. Advanced fuel system with gaseous hydrogen additives. Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences Technical Sciences. 2024. Vol. 72, № 2. Art. 148837. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24425/bpasts.2024.148837.
16. Shalapko D. O. Investigation of the influence of the use of small hydrogen impurities to the main fuel on injection spraying. Collection of Scientific Publications NUS. 2021. № 4. P. 14–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15589/znp2021.4(487).3.
17. Шалапко Д. О. Дослідження ефектів хвильових коливань в паливній апаратурі дизельного двигуна із застосуванням водневих добавок. Збірник наукових праць Національного університету кораблебудування імені адмірала Макарова. 2021. № 3(486). С. 40–47.
Copyright (©) 2025, Denys Shalapko, Yan Tarandushka
Assessment of Hydrogen Additives Impact on the Durability and Reliability of Internal Combustion Engines
About the Authors
Denys Shalapko, Associate Professor, PhD in Technical Sciences (Candidate of Technical Sciences), Associate Professor of the Department of Shipbuilding and Energy, Kherson Educational and Scientific Institute of the National University of Shipbuilding, Kherson, Ukraine, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000- 0002-4311-3908, e-mail: shalapko.denys@gmail.com
Yan Tarandushka, Bachelor Student in Automobile Transport, Cherkasy State Technological University, Cherkasy, Ukraine; Student of the University of Žilina, Žilina, Slovakia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6103-800X, e-mail: yan453620@gmail.com
Abstract
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
1. Bari, S., & Esmaeil, M. M. (2010). Effect of H₂/O₂ addition in increasing the thermal efficiency of a diesel engine. Fuel, 89(2), 378–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.07.018
2. Bose, P. K., & Maji, D. (2009). An experimental investigation on engine performance and emissions of a single cylinder diesel engine using hydrogen as inducted fuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34(11), 4847–4854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.03.017
3. El-Kassaby, M. M., Eldrainy, Y. A., Khidr, M. E., & Khidr, K. I. (2016). Hydroxy (HHO) gas addition affects gasoline engine performance and emissions. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 55(1), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.02.019
4. Gong, C., Li, Z., Yi, L., & Liu, F. (2023). Environmental and enviro-economic effect analysis of hydrogen- methanol-gasoline addition into an SI engine. Fuel, 345, 128237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128237
5. Green Car Congress. (2005, November 9). Hydrogen-enhanced combustion engine could improve gasoline fuel economy by 20% to 30%. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/hydrogenenhance.html
6. Li, Y., Wang, S., & Duan, X. (2021). Effects of hydrogen addition on the durability of internal combustion engine components. Journal of Cleaner Production, 312, 127845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127845
7. San Marchi, C., & Somerday, B. P. (2012). Technical reference for hydrogen compatibility of materials. Sandia National Laboratories. https://doi.org/10.2172/1048362
8. Saravanan, N., & Nagarajan, G. (2008). An experimental investigation of hydrogen-enriched air induction in a diesel engine system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 33(6), 1769–1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2007.11.027
9. Verhelst, S., Wallner, T., & Eichlseder, H. (2019). Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 35(6), 490–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2019.100713
10. Wang, S., Ji, C., & Zhang, B. (2023). Effect of hydrogen addition on the performance of a spark ignition engine fueled with methanol-gasoline blends. Energy, 262, 125456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125456
11. White, C. M., Steeper, R. R., & Lutz, A. E. (2006). The hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine: A technical review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 31(10), 1292–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.001
12. Shalapko, D. (2023). Optical-graphic studies of hydrogen additives’ effects on diesel fuel atomization parameters. Transport Problems, 18(4), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2023.18.4.11
13. Kukharenko, O., Shalapko, D., & Tarandushka, L. (2024). Hydrogen internal combustion engines in transport: Enhancing efficiency and overcoming infrastructure challenges. Central Ukrainian Scientific Bulletin. Technical Sciences, 9(40), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2024.9(40).2.164-174
14. Shalapko, D., Pyrysunko, M., Radchenko, R., & Kornienko, V. (2024). Analysis of cooling air at the inlet of marine engine with exhaust gas recirculation by ejector and absorption refrigeration. In Advances in Design, Simulation and Manufacturing VII (pp. 314–323). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63720-9_27
15. Shalapko, D. (2024). Advanced fuel system with gaseous hydrogen additives. Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences Technical Sciences, 72(2), 148837. https://doi.org/10.24425/bpasts.2024.148837
16. Shalapko, D. O. (2021). Investigation of the influence of the use of small hydrogen impurities to the main fuel on injection spraying. Collection of Scientific Publications NUS, 4, 14–19. https://doi.org/10.15589/znp2021.4(487).3
17. Shalapko, D. O. (2021). Investigation of the effects of wave oscillations in the fuel equipment of a diesel engine using hydrogen additives. Collection of Scientific Papers of Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding, 3(486), 40–47. [in Ukrainian].
Citations
1. Bari S., Esmaeil M. M. Effect of H₂/O₂ addition in increasing the thermal efficiency of a diesel engine. Fuel. 2010. Vol. 89, № 2. P. 378–383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.07.018.
2. Bose P. K., Maji D. An experimental investigation on engine performance and emissions of a single cylinder diesel engine using hydrogen as inducted fuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2009. Vol. 34, № 11. P. 4847–4854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.03.017.
3. El-Kassaby M. M., Eldrainy Y. A., Khidr M. E., Khidr K. I. Hydroxy (HHO) gas addition affects gasoline engine performance and emissions. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 2016. Vol. 55, № 1. P. 243–251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.02.019.
4. Gong C., Li Z., Yi L., Liu F. Environmental and enviro-economic effect analysis of hydrogen-methanol- gasoline addition into an SI engine. Fuel. 2023. Vol. 345. Art. 128237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128237.
5. Hydrogen-enhanced combustion engine could improve gasoline fuel economy by 20% to 30%. Green Car Congress : веб-сайт. 2005. 9 November. URL: www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/hydrogenenhance.html (дата звернення: 10.06.2025).
6. Li Y., Wang S., Duan X. Effects of hydrogen addition on the durability of internal combustion engine components. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021. Vol. 312. Art. 127845. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127845.
7. San Marchi C., Somerday B. P. Technical reference for hydrogen compatibility of materials. Sandia National Laboratories. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2172/1048362.
8. Saravanan N., Nagarajan G. An experimental investigation of hydrogen-enriched air induction in a diesel engine system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2008. Vol. 33, № 6. P. 1769–1775. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2007.11.027.
9. Verhelst S., Wallner T., Eichlseder H. Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 2019. Vol. 35, № 6. P. 490–527. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2019.100713.
10. Wang S., Ji C., Zhang B. Effect of hydrogen addition on the performance of a spark ignition engine fueled with methanol-gasoline blends. Energy. 2023. Vol. 262. Art. 125456. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125456.
11. White C. M., Steeper R. R., Lutz A. E. The hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine: A technical review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2006. Vol. 31, № 10. P. 1292–1305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.001.
12. Shalapko D. Optical-graphic studies of hydrogen additives’ effects on diesel fuel atomization parameters. Transport Problems. 2023. Vol. 18, № 4. P. 135–146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2023.18.4.11.
13. Kukharenko O., Shalapko D., Tarandushka L. Hydrogen internal combustion engines in transport: Enhancing efficiency and overcoming infrastructure challenges. Central Ukrainian Scientific Bulletin. Technical Sciences. 2024. Vol. 9, № 40. P. 164–174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2024.9(40).2.164-174.
14. Shalapko D., Pyrysunko M., Radchenko R., Kornienko V. Analysis of cooling air at the inlet of marine engine with exhaust gas recirculation by ejector and absorption refrigeration. In: Advances in Design, Simulation and Manufacturing VII. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024. P. 314–323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63720-9_27.
15. Shalapko D. Advanced fuel system with gaseous hydrogen additives. Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences Technical Sciences. 2024. Vol. 72, № 2. Art. 148837. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24425/bpasts.2024.148837.
16. Shalapko D. O. Investigation of the influence of the use of small hydrogen impurities to the main fuel on injection spraying. Collection of Scientific Publications NUS. 2021. № 4. P. 14–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15589/znp2021.4(487).3.
17. Шалапко Д. О. Дослідження ефектів хвильових коливань в паливній апаратурі дизельного двигуна із застосуванням водневих добавок. Збірник наукових праць Національного університету кораблебудування імені адмірала Макарова. 2021. № 3(486). С. 40–47.
Copyright (©) 2025, Denys Shalapko, Yan Tarandushka