Yanmar pilot-ignition hydrogen engine for marine applications

Pilot-ignition engine (Photo: Yanmar)

Yanmar Power Technology, part of Yanmar Holdings, has completed a land-based test of a pilot-ignition four-stroke high-speed hydrogen fuel engine intended for power generation in coastal vessels.

Conducted as part of the Nippon Foundation’s zero-emission ship demonstration experiment, the engine achieved a rated output of approximately 500 kW.

The test pilot-ignition hydrogen engine uses a small quantity of diesel fuel which is burned with a premix of hydrogen and air.

Moving forward, Yanmar Power Technology is planning to continue trials using biofuel as the pilot, while also working towards class certification for demonstration operations in 2026.

The goal of the project is to develop hydrogen-powered zero-emission ships. In addition, the project is working on a hydrogen engine-compatible hybrid electric propulsion vessel. This would feature a containered hydrogen generation system.

Test rig for the pilot-ignition H2 engine (Photo: Yanmar)

In addition to the biodiesel pilot fuel project, Yanmar Power Technology is also working on an engine which will use only hydrogen. It is hoped that the projects will result in a zero-emission coastal vessel using hydrogen energy from around 2030.

The hydrogen engine test follows the launch of the HP35FA1Z compact hydrogen fuel cell power generation system. With a power generation efficiency of 51.2%, the system delivers 35 kW with no CO2 or NOx emissions.

The units use a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Up to 16 units can be integrated together, with controls for adjustment of power output based on demand and fuel availability.

The HP35FA1Z is now available to order.