Double efficient pilot fuel free ceramic hydrogen combustion engine technology for marine applications

The mitigation and solution of man-made climate change has become a social necessity and an integral part of government and corporate policy. In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to legislate a net zero emissions target across all sectors by 2050\. Other major EU/NAFTA economies are following.

This experienced consortium, led by Carnot Ltd, is developing game-changing, ultra-efficient hydrogen-electric marinised powertrains consisting of ceramic engines as prime movers for generators. With key engine components manufactured from technical ceramics able to withstand fuel combustion temperatures, the third of fuel energy wasted to cooling systems is eliminated. Predicted brake thermal efficiency (BTE) is 70%, a step-change from current state-of-the-art internal combustion engines.

In this project it is a key consideration to develop a multi-cylinder pilot fuel free hydrogen combustion capability along with extension toward making a production ready marinized hydrogen-electric hybrid system configuration which incorporates the Carnot engine, (which has advantages toward auto-ignition of pure hydrogen over competing technologies), along with a comprehensive marinized system & product design and pathway to achieving regulatory compliance.

With the predicted thermal efficiency Carnot engines will be both CAPEX and OPEX competitive with fuel cells (which achieve 40-60% BTE) and easily competitive with other hydrogen combustion engines currently in development (which achieve 30-50% BTE). Additionally Carnot engines can leverage existing (significant) manufacturing capacity and knowledge which is at risk both in the UK and abroad and hence production can scale more readily than competing hydrogen power alternatives.

Given this perspective we are therefore primarily targeting the prioritised technology theme of "pilot fuel free hydrogen internal combustion engine technologies for maritime applications" while also contributing to the potential for "whole-ship energy efficiency design and integration" as our design will be modular and optimised to make the most of fuel feedstock on a given platform extending range and potential utilisation profile for a given ship configuration.

A shift to a hydrogen economy is underway with the UK Government committing to a significant investment of £240 million in a Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, targeting 5GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2030\. Volume production of Carnot's clean & ultra-efficient powertrains will position the UK in a strong position to maximise the economic benefits of the green industrial revolution.

For 130-years, ICEs have wasted a third of fuel energy to cooling systems. If the UK's 2050 net-zero emissions targets are to be met, this waste must end.