At this month’s Bauma Munich, the components product division of Liebherr will exhibit two prototypes of its hydrogen engine for tomorrow’s building sites.
Direct injection (DI) and port fuel injection are two separate hydrogen injection systems used by each prototype (PFI). Combustion engines won’t run on fossil diesel exclusively in the foreseeable future. By 2050, it will be necessary to switch to fuels derived from renewable energy sources.
One of them is green hydrogen since it is a promising carbon-free fuel that burns within internal combustion engines without emitting any CO2 (ICE). Additionally, Liebherr’s proficiency in ICE development may hasten the commercialization of hydrogen technologies.
Recent major investments have been made in the development of the hydrogen engine and test facilities by the Liebherr components product category. Since 2020, prototype engines have been tested. On test benches and in the field, the prototypes have produced positive results in terms of performance and emissions. In the process, various injection and combustion technologies, including direct injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI), have also been evaluated. Since 2021, the first prototype construction equipment powered by these engines has been in operation.
By 2025, the components section hopes to start mass producing hydrogen engines. To further optimize combustion and assure optimal power density, the business launches its fuel injection research initiatives.
In addition to engines that only use hydrogen, there are now various research projects looking at alternative fuels. One illustration is a dual fuel engine that can run entirely on HVO or on hydrogen ignited by HVO injection. With different setups, this technology will increase operational flexibility for vehicles.
