Successful start into the new year. The Munich-based company KEYOU, which specializes in hydrogen technologies, and one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, HOERBIGER, are pooling their know-how in the field of injection technology for hydrogen engines.
Both companies recently signed a cooperation agreement for the joint development, production and commercialization of injectors for hydrogen engines. The focus is on the development of PFI injectors for the powerful heavy-duty sector.
Accelerate the market introduction of hydrogen engines
Both companies share the vision of bringing innovative hydrogen technologies into mobility with the aim of accelerating the market launch of hydrogen engines. On the one hand there is the still young company KEYOU, which has already won several awards. Since 2015 it has been developing H2-specific technologies, components and combustion processes that can be used to transform conventional engines into emission-free hydrogen engines. KEYOU has succeeded in developing the world’s most efficient H2 engine to date from a diesel engine platform. On the other hand HOERBIGER, one of the leading manufacturers of valve technology in the gas industry, which has made decarbonization a central goal of its product developments.
Development focus PFI injectors
The question of how the hydrogen gets into the engine or combustion chamber is of central importance for the quality of the hydrogen combustion. The injection technology and the durability of the injectors is therefore a key success factor for the development of highly efficient hydrogen engines. And this is exactly where the cooperation comes in: both companies combine their design and engineering know-how in the field of hydrogen and injection technology. The focus is on the development of PFI injectors for the heavy-duty sector.
“The injector,” explains Thomas Korn, co-founder and managing director of KEYOU GmbH, “is one of the key components of our ‘KEYOU inside system’, which can be integrated into new as well as existing engines. If, in addition to the development of new engines, the conversion of existing diesel vehicles for hydrogen is also taken into account, decarbonization in the commercial vehicle sector can be achieved quickly and cost-effectively. With HOERBIGER, we have a competent development partner at our side who has many years of experience in the development, production and commercialization of gas valves. For us as an innovation driver in the field of hydrogen engines, this perfectly complements our knowledge and expertise in the field of hydrogen technologies,” Thomas Korn continues.
HOERBIGER also sees the partnership extremely positively: “HOERBIGER Engine Technology has committed itself to innovation leadership in emission-free, hydrogen-based injection technology and is now looking forward to making this path even more successful together with KEYOU for the benefit of our customers,” explains Bernhard Zemann, Head of HOERBIGER Engine Technology .
HOERBIGER part of the KEYOU component network
KEYOU and HOERBIGER have long been involved on an individual level in the field of hydrogen
Combustion engines active. With the cooperation agreement, the companies are now bundling their competencies and “formalizing” their already successful cooperation. “We are always open to new partnerships in the field of developing modern and new components for hydrogen engines. With HOERBIGER, we are expanding our current network to include another strong partner with whom we can develop the most efficient hydrogen engines for the heavy-duty market,” adds Thomas Korn.
First injectors ready for pre-series production planned for 2023
The performance spectrum of the injectors specially developed for hydrogen engines reaches up to 90 kW per cylinder. With a six-cylinder engine, this corresponds to an engine output of up to 540 kW. The possible applications are correspondingly diverse: from pure road traffic to industrial engines and off-road applications. However, the initial focus is clearly on the commercial vehicle sector. However, as part of the “KEYOU inside system”, the jointly developed PFI injectors can be used in almost any hydrogen engine.
The injectors are currently still so-called B sample parts. The first industrialized injectors should be available for customers in 2023. The injectors are also to be used in the engines as part of the KEYOU Inside system in the first new and retrofitted vehicles.
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