ROCKWELL, Texas – Kohler Engines, a manufacturing company that deals in engines for different sectors, has recently exhibited its latest creation, the KDH hydrogen engine, at the 2023 Agritechnica show held in Hannover, Germany. This brand-new internal combustion engine, which can use hydrogen sourced and developed by Kohler itself, represents an important development in the company’s strategic line.
The KDH engine is based on the existing Parent 2.5-liter, four-cylinder KDI 2504 TCR diesel engine, but the diesel injection system excluded, and replaced with a G.I.D.E. system meant for hydrogen supply. This approach enables the engine to be installed in the same manner as a diesel engine for machines, have the same dimensions, PTO’s, and performance, but deliver a zero-carbon solution.
It would be relevant to turn one’s attention to one more advantage of the KDH engine, namely, its capability of performing on hydrogen as if it were diesel. The selection of DI technology instead of PFI accelerates the backfire issue and permits the engine to sustain diesel performance, such as transient response.
The KDH engine aims to match the performance of its diesel counterpart in several key areas:
- Maximum power output.
- Peak and low-end torque.
- Transient response and drivability.
The KDH engine could change FCEVs forever: Why it’s not just another hydrogen prototype.
Kohler Engines has designed the KDH engine to be a direct replacement or as a direct drive, meaning it may fit perfectly well into any piece of equipment. Many elements of the engine are observable in the Form of design similarity with the KDI diesel engine, like the cooling circuit, the power-take-off/flywheel bracket, engine-clamping points, and intake line.
Moreover, the exhaust line also has no need for an after-treatment system (ATS) in stage 5. Another advantage is that this adaptation to existing machine platforms implies that OEMs could effortlessly incorporate the KDH engine into their existing models, thus requiring minor changes in the vicinity of the engine.
Kohler Engines is determined to match the plan of hydrogen engine production with the requirements of the market to make sure that the technology becomes integrated with the development programs of the OEMs. As an additional benefit of the hydrogen engine under the KDH scenario, carbon emissions can be cut down to the lowest level.
Hydrogen per se, as a fuel, has the endowment of yielding energy from combustion without necessarily emitting carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that KDH engines can remove the carbonization of internal combustion engines and therefore be more friendly to the environment than conventional diesel engines.
What can we expect from the revolutionary KDH hydrogen engine? Japanese carmakers are already worried
The integration of the KDH hydrogen engine comes with Kohler Engine’s continued plan to invent more technologies for creating better products that are noble to the environment. However, remember that they are entering a field dominated by Toyota, Hyundai or Kia, among other legendary brands.
As in the current situation for the engine industry, where there is a drive to reduce carbon emissions and provide other more realistic options, hydrogen is a green energy fuel that is flexible in its usage and has advanced technologies. We’ve seen it in car engines, boat engines, and even airplane engines. Maybe a hydrogen-powered rocket? NASA will have the answer.
The KDH hydrogen engine is so promising, we don’t think it will be the only one developed by the brand. Toyota and Hyundai certainly have tough competitors in the FCEV arena. Will this be the push America needs to develop a wide, sufficient and well-distributed network of filling stations? On this point, yes, we are a bit more skeptical, but you will agree that an invention like this is cause for optimism about what could be achieved with this level of skyrocketing innovation.
