Hydrogen as Emerging Fuel for De-Fossilizing Transport Sector (Energy, Environment, and Sustainability)

This book aims to explore the role of hydrogen as a promising alternative to fossil fuels, particularly in the transport and heavy-duty sectors. As global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accelerate, policymakers are increasingly focusing on hydrogen to achieve net-zero targets. While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are expected to dominate the market for two-wheelers (2Ws), three-wheelers (3Ws), and personal cars, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (ICEs) are emerging as a key solution for buses, heavy-duty trucks, construction machinery, agricultural equipment, and non-road applications.

This book presents an in-depth analysis of hydrogen-fueled engine technology, discussing its advantages, challenges, and future potential. It highlights how hydrogen-fueled engines eliminate emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) emissions remain a challenge, which can be mitigated through advanced after-treatment systems and optimized engine operating conditions.

This book focuses on various hydrogen production technologies, recent advancements in hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines, and novel fuel injection strategies for achieving efficient and knock-free hydrogen combustion. It covers a wide range of topics, including port fuel hydrogen injection, diesel pilot ignition, hydrogen production from alternative sources, and the challenges of hydrogen storage and distribution. Additionally, it examines the role of hydrogen in maritime applications and its potential as a future fuel for internal combustion engines.

Through a comprehensive discussion of cutting-edge research and technological innovations, this book provides valuable insights for researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry professionals working toward a sustainable hydrogen-powered future.

Mr. Hardikk Valera is a PhD scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK). He has completed his M.Tech. from the National Institute of Technology Jalandhar (India) and B.Tech. from Ganpat University. His research interests include methanol-fueled SI engines, methanol-fueled CI engines, spray characterization, and emission control from engines. He has published 15 peer-reviewed international journal papers and 02 international conference papers, 07 edited books, and 19 chapters, with 230+ Scopus and 350+ Google Scholar citations.

Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal is Director at IIT Jodhpur. He obtained his Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering (1994) from Malviya Regional Engineering College, Jaipur, and his MTech (Energy, 1996) and PhD (Energy, 1999) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. After his Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1999 – 2001) at the ERC, UW, Madison, USA, he returned to India in 2001 and joined IIT Kanpur. Prof. Agarwal has established a state-of-the-art "Engine Research Laboratory" at IIT Kanpur. Prof. Agarwal is interested in researching IC engines, combustion, conventional and alternative fuels, optical diagnostics, laser ignition, HCCI, particulates and emission control, and large bore engines. Prof. Agarwal has published over 550+ peer-reviewed international journal and conference papers, 65 edited books, and 129 book chapters, attracting 18300+ Scopus and 27400+ Google Scholar citations. For his outstanding contributions, Prof. Agarwal is conferred upon Sir J C Bose National Fellowship (2019) by SERB, Prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2016) in Engineering Sciences, Rajib Goyal Prize in Physical Sciences (2015); NASI-Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee Award (2012); INAE Silver Jubilee Young Engineer Award (2012); INSA Young Scientist Award (2007); UICT Young Scientist Award (2007); INAE Young Engineer Award (2005); Devendra Shukla Research Fellowship (2009-12), Poonam and Prabhu Goyal Endowed Chair Professorship (2013-16), SBI Endowed Chair Professorship (2018-21, 2022-25) at IIT Kanpur. He is an elected Fellow of TWAS, SAE, ASME, INAE, ISEES, RSC, NASI, WSSET, AAAS and Combustion Institute USA.