Application of Westport’s H2 HPDI TM Fuel System to a Demonstration Truck

Authors

D. Mumford, S. Baker, S. Ptucha, Dr. S. Munshi, R. McDonald, Westport Fuel Systems Inc., Vancouver; A. Palmkvist, E. Olofsson, Scania Powertrain Predevelopment, Södertälje:

Year

2023

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

As climate change has become of increasing concern, the global transportation industry has been challenged to achieve significant reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.  In Europe this has been driven by specific CO₂ legislation and penalties for OEMs who miss these targets, while in the US these have been embedded within the EPA regulations.  Similar concerns have been expressed in other markets such as China.  OEMs have identified multiple potential de-carbonization technologies for mobile-source applications; however, for Heavy Duty trucking and higher horsepower applications in particular, there is a recognition that the required combination of power density, fuel efficiency and durability are challenging with some of the less mature technologies.  Therefore, for certain segments of the transportation sector, zero or near-zero carbon Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) continue to be evaluated as one of the key, cost-effective solutions.  On a Well-To-Wheels basis Renewable Natural Gas-fueled ICEs remain an attractive option, while the strongest focus is currently on Hydrogen fueled ICEs.  Engines powered by Westport Fuel Systems’ (WFS) HPDI^TM fuel system technology are currently the most efficient natural gas engines commercially available in Europe, already exceeding the European 2025 CO₂ target reduction of 15%.  WFS has since demonstrated the same HPDI^TM fuel system can be adapted to hydrogen and achieve CO₂ reductions of up to 97% [Vienna 2021, 2022], with efficiencies exceeding the base diesel engine and power/torque equivalent to, or higher than, the base diesel engine.

WFS’s H₂ HPDI^TM fuel system is particularly well suited to applications requiring high torque density and high fuel efficiency, and not surprisingly has led to interest and evaluation by multiple OEMs.  This paper will present an overview of two H₂ HPDI^TM fuel system equipped demonstration vehicles and related learnings.  The paper will also discuss the overall system architecture approach and cover the latest advances in engine performance, as well as the path to future commercialization including further reduction in pilot fuel based CO₂ emissions.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-2-5