Hoerbiger, Keyou plan injectors for hydrogen engines

Keyou, a specialist in hydrogen technologies, and Hoerbiger said they will develop, produce and commercialize injectors for hydrogen engines for high-performance heavy-duty markets.

Since 2015, Keyou has been developing H2-specific technologies, components and combustion processes that can be used to transform conventional engines into emission-free hydrogen engines. In the process, Keyou has succeeded in developing the world’s most efficient H2 engine to date from a diesel engine platform.

Hoerbiger, one of the leading manufacturers of valve technology in the gas industry, has made decarbonization a central goal of its product developments. Development focus

PFI injectors

The question of how the hydrogen enters the engine or combustion chamber is of central importance for the quality of hydrogen combustion, the companies said. Injection technology and the durability of the injectors are key success factors for the development of highly efficient hydrogen engines. The companies said they are pooling their design and engineering know-how in the field of hydrogen and injection technology.

“The injector is one of the key components of our ‘Keyou-inside system’, which can be integrated into new and existing engines,” said Thomas Korn, co-founder and CEO of Keyou. “If, in addition to the development of new engines, the conversion of existing diesel vehicles for hydrogen is also taken into account, decarbonization in the commercial vehicle sector can be achieved quickly and cost-effectively. With Hoerbiger, we have a competent development partner with many years of experience in the development, production, and commercialization of gas valves at our side. For us as an innovation driver in the field of hydrogen engines, this perfectly complements our knowledge and expertise in the field of hydrogen technologies.”

Hoerbiger Engine Technology is fully committed to leading innovation in zero-emission hydrogen-based fuel injection, said Bernhard Zemann, head of Hoerbiger Engine Technology.

“We are always open to new partnerships in connection to the development of modern and new components for hydrogen engines,” Korn said. “With Hoerbiger, we are expanding our current network with another strong partner with whom we can develop the most efficient hydrogen engines for the heavy-duty market.”

First injectors in pre-series readiness planned for 2023

The power spectrum of the injectors developed specifically for hydrogen engines extends up to 90 kW per cylinder. In a six-cylinder engine, this corresponds to an engine output of up to 540 kW. The application possibilities are correspondingly diverse: From pure road transport to industrial engines and offroad applications. However, the initial focus is clearly on the commercial vehicle sector. As part of the “Keyou-inside system”, the jointly developed PFI injectors can be used in almost any hydrogen engine. At present, the injectors are still so-called B sample parts. The first industrialized injectors are expected to be available to customers in 2023. The injectors will also be used in the first new and retrofitted vehicles as part of the Keyou-inside system in the engines.