Simulation on a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine: Analysing the Power-Unit of an Optical Accessible Engine

In an ever-evolving energy landscape, directed more and more towards sustainability, the reduction of pollutant emissions and the development of alternative technologies for both land propulsion and energy generation for stationary applications, the following work is meant to be placed: in this sense, hydrogen has always been highly interesting from a technological point of view, especially when used in the context of internal combustion engines, taking advantage of the knowledge and know-how obtained in the development of classic gasoline engines. However, the use of a fuel that has physical-chemical properties that differ from those of conventional fuels poses new problems and challenges. In particular, it has been observed that the hydrogen combustion process, under certain conditions, may be abnormal and therefore sub-optimal in order to achieve high efficiencies. The present thesis work takes the abnormal combustion phenomena mentioned above as its starting point, analyzing the modifications made to the cylinder head of a large-bore H2-ICE, involving the insertion of two different kinds of optical access systems. Starting from the CAD data, finite element simulations, both thermal and structural, are performed to determine the most stressed areas. Downstream of this, a complete assessment, from both static and fatigue point of view, is carried out following the FKM guideline, determining the respective utilization factors of some critical points in the engine head. Finally, futher developments are proposed in order to realize an even more representative physical model of the engine under test.