Advanced CFD Modelling of Port Fuel Hydrogen Injection for Locomotive Engines

Project summary

The global shift towards decarbonisation in transportation requires innovative engine technologies. Heavy-duty transport, particularly locomotives, demands high efficiency and low emissions, making hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines (ICE) a promising alternative. Retrofitting diesel engines for hydrogen operation can enable near-zero emissions while maintaining performance.

This PhD project will use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with CONVERGE combustion CFD software to model port fuel hydrogen injection in a locomotive engine. The research aims to optimise combustion performance, fuel injection strategies, and emissions control. The study is a collaboration between two UK universities and a German university, with experimental validation from an advanced engine test rig.

Research objectives

• Develop a high-fidelity CFD model using CONVERGE for port fuel hydrogen injection and combustion
• Optimise combustion parameters such as injection timing, equivalence ratio, and turbocharging for maximum efficiency and minimum emissions
• Validate CFD simulations with experimental data from a German test facility
• Investigate emissions control strategies, including lean-burn combustion and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation)

Methodology

• CFD Model Development: Simulating fuel-air mixing, ignition, and combustion dynamics inside a hydrogen-fuelled locomotive engine
• Experimental Data Validation: Comparing CFD results with real-world engine performance data from our partner institution
• Performance Optimisation: Exploring advanced combustion strategies, including different injection pressures, swirl effects, and turbulence models

Expected outcomes

• A validated CFD model for hydrogen combustion in locomotive engines
• Optimised combustion strategies for higher efficiency and reduced emissions
• Advanced insights into NOx reduction strategies through combustion tuning and EGR
• Industry impact: Contributing to the shift towards hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transport

Entry requirements

• A First or Upper-Second (2:1) Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred
• Strong background in combustion science, engine thermodynamics, and CFD simulation
• Experience with CONVERGE CFD software (highly desirable)
• Strong SOLIDWORKS skills for engine geometry modelling

How to apply

Please contact Dr Shahed Motaman ( S.Motaman@derby.ac.uk ) in the first instance for more information on how to apply. The University has four starting points each year for MPhil/PhD programmes (September, January, March and June). Applications should be made at least three months before you want to start your programme. Please note that if you require a visa additional time will be required.

Funding

Self-funded by the student. There is a range of options that may be available to you to help you fund your PhD .

Supervisor

Shahed is a lecturer in Motorsport Engineering.

References

We are looking for ambitious and talented students to join our dedicated research community where we will support you on your own research journey through to graduation. These pages give you all the i...

If you decide to design your own PhD project, you will need to write a research proposal that will form part of your application. Before applying, you should review the critical literature in your sub...

Find out what the tuition fees are for PhDs and MPhils at Derby, as well as what sources of funding there are to help pay for them.

• H. Ritchie, M. Roser, and P. Rosado, “CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” Our World in Data. Accessed: August. 22, 2022
• Karsten Wittek a, Vitor Cogo a b, Geovane Prante, Full load optimisation of a hydrogen fuelled industrial engine, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Research areas