Skip to main content

Hitachi
Contact InformationContact Information

    Highlight

    With the aim of creating an energy system of low-cost local production for local consumption that can reduce CO2 emissions, Hitachi is developing technology for the highly efficient use of low-concentration bioethanol produced from unutilized locally available resources. Low-concentration ethanol contains a large quantity of water, and while it is cheap and safe, it is also a fuel that is difficult to burn and therefore difficult to use. To develop an engine system that can run on this difficult-to-burn fuel, Hitachi has conducted technical trials for improving the efficiency and feasibility of a system that uses hydrogen produced from water and ethanol. In examining efficiency improvements, Hitachi has achieved a thermal efficiency of 45% by using lean combustion in an engine running on a hydrogen mixture, and in feasibility trials, it has conducted operating trials using fuel produced on Miyakojima Island.

    Table of contents

    ABOUT THE AUTHORS

    Atsushi Shimada, Dr. Eng.

    Center for Exploratory Research, Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd. He is currently engaged in the research and development of hydrous ethanol-fueled engine systems. Dr. Shimada is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE).

    Yuzo Shirakawa

    Center for Exploratory Research, Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd. He is currently engaged in the research and development of hydrous-ethanol-fueled engine systems.

    Takao Ishikawa

    Center for Exploratory Research, Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd. He is currently engaged in the research and development of hydrous-ethanol-fueled engine systems.

    Download Adobe Reader
    In order to read a PDF file, you need to have Adobe® Reader® installed in your computer.
    Download Adobe Reader
    In order to read a PDF file, you need to have Adobe® Reader® installed in your computer.