Influence of integrating hydrogen-based electrolyzer on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions in a modified fuel injection four-stroke motorcycle
Keywords:
Hydrogen-assisted combustion, Wet-cell electrolyzer, PWM control, Fuel-injected motorcycle, Exhaust emissionsAbstract
The rapid growth of motorcycle usage has contributed significantly to increased fossil fuel consumption and urban air pollution, particularly through carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. Enhancing combustion efficiency without extensive mechanical modification is therefore essential for reducing the environmental impact of existing motorcycle fleets. This study investigates the application of hydrogen-assisted combustion generated via a PWM-controlled wet-cell electrolyzer integrated into a fuel-injected four-stroke motorcycle. The electrolyzer system incorporates regulated electrical input, moisture separation, and controlled hydrogen-rich gas delivery to the intake manifold to ensure stable and safe operation. Experimental evaluations were conducted under real-road operating conditions by comparing baseline operation with hydrogen-assisted operation in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The results demonstrate that controlled on-board hydrogen generation improves fuel utilization and reduces incomplete combustion products, as indicated by lower CO and HC emissions, while increased CO₂ concentrations suggest more complete oxidation during combustion. These improvements were achieved without major mechanical modifications to the engine, highlighting the practical feasibility of the proposed system. The findings extend current knowledge on hydrogen-assisted combustion by demonstrating its effectiveness in fuel-injected motorcycles under realistic driving conditions and provide a foundation for further optimization of on-board hydrogen generation and integrated control strategies.
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