Enhancing Diesel Generator Efficiency and Emissions with CNG and Green Hydrogen: A Sustainable Solution for Power Plants | ||||
| Pharos Engineering Science Journal | ||||
| Volume 2, Issue 1, June 2025, Page 47-57 PDF (614.53 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Case studies | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/pesj.2025.353885.1013 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Medhat Elkelawy   1; Ahmed Mohamed Draz2; Ahmed Mohammed Antar2; Hussein Eltaibee Seleem 3
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| 1Mechanical engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt | ||||
| 2Mechanical engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt | ||||
| 3Electronics and Communications Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The integration of CNG and green hydrogen as supplementary fuels in diesel engines presents a significant opportunity to enhance the sustainability of power generation, particularly in electric generator power plants. This study investigates the dual-fuel operation of diesel engines using a blend of CNG and green hydrogen, focusing on the performance metrics and environmental impacts. Quantitative findings show that replacing up to 40% of diesel with CNG and hydrogen leads to a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions, a 25% reduction in particulate matter (PM) emissions, and up to a 15% decrease in nitrogen oxides (NOx) compared to diesel-only engines. Additionally, hydrogen’s zero-carbon combustion contributes to a 40% reduction in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, when the hydrogen is produced through renewable electrolysis. Efficiency improvements of up to 10% were recorded, largely due to hydrogen’s high flame speed, which enables faster and more complete combustion. Despite challenges such as hydrogen storage, distribution infrastructure, and engine modifications, the dual-fuel approach retains the operational flexibility of conventional diesel generators while offering significant environmental advantages. Power plant adopting this approach is the Karaganda power plant in Kazakhstan, where a CNG-hydrogen-diesel blend has been tested in diesel generator units. This pilot project reported a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 35% reduction in carbon emissions, proving the commercial viability of this technology in industrial-scale power generation. Furthermore, in regions like Germany, where green hydrogen production is becoming more widespread, similar applications are emerging as part of broader strategies to decarbonize energy systems. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Dual-fuel diesel engine; Compressed Natural Gas (CNG); Particulate matter (PM); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Greenhouse gas reduction | ||||
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