Carnot High Efficiency Hydrogen Combustion Engine Demonstrator

The mitigation and solution of man-made climate change has become a social necessity and an integral part of government and corporate policy. International Maritime Organization regulations stipulate that vessels must be 40% less carbon intensive by 2030 than those built in 2008\. In addition, 33 countries have legislated net zero targets by 2050 and more will follow.

This corresponds to total 2030/2050 GHG emissions reductions of 380/950 MtCO2e respectively. Sea freight accounts for 90% of international trade and is the life blood of the global economy. It is therefore imperative that a technological solution is found that is not only zero-emission but also provides a cost-effective, low-impact route to decarbonising as rapidly as possible.

Demand, infrastructure and production capacity must be in place for scaling to occur and the transition to take place.

The maritime industry currently relies on internal combustion engines (ICEs). The problem with engines is that they are inefficient and they emit carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants when operated on fossil fuels. Engines typically waste a third of fuel energy to cooling systems which prevent metal components from failing.

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 ICEs. Carnot engines are fuel flexible, capable of operating on diesel, ammonia, hydrogen, methanol and eFuels. The demand, infrastructure and production capacity (of both fuel and engines) for Carnot engines within the maritime sector already exists.

This project is to develop and run a hydrogen-fired Carnot auxiliary engine demonstrator for sea trials on board a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel over a 40-day period. It brings together a UK consortium consisting of technology developer, operator, RTO and University which, supported by a Class Society and the MCA, will be in prime position to commercialise the technology and maximise the benefits of the green industrial revolution.

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. 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.