Vives Hogeschool: Climate & Energy – research group hydrogen (ICE)

General expertise of the research group

The research group hydrogen can rely on a fully equipped laboratory of the hydrogen energy chain. From production, up to the use of hydrogen in different applications. The group has gained expertise in practical use and implementation of various aspects, including green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, regulatory aspects and safety considerations related to hydrogen, utilization of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cell systems, fuel cell vehicles, and the production and utilization of green methanol.

Specific hydrogen- related expertise & research topics

• Expertise in H2-ICE technology (hydrogen internal combustion engine)
• In-house proficiency in dual fuel technology, particularly diesel-hydrogen systems, demonstrated with a 250 kVA generator set
• Specialization in converting petrol engines into 100% hydrogen combustion engines
• Specialized knowledge in low-level control management for dual fuel systems
• Proficient in control management, data acquisition, and visualization techniques

Available equipment/tools:

• Genset Atlas Copco dual fuel diesel – hydrogen – methanol 250 kVA
• Genset Caterpillar Direct injection 33kVA
• Testbench with single cylinder experimental setup for PFI and DFI
• Resistive load bench 20 kW & 300 kW
• Engine test bench water brake

Participating in FL/B/EU funded projects with H2 related research:

• Project: ISHY (implementation of ship hybridisation) – topic: retrofit of an existing diesel genset 250 kVA to dual fuel mode (hydrogen and pilot diesel) – funding source: Europe Interreg 2 Seas – industrial partners: Port of Ostend, Parkwind, GeoXYZ, TU Delft, Solent University, Hybrid marine
• Project: Direct injection of hydrogen for ICE – topic: building a demonstrator for testing of direct injection of hydrogen and strategies – funding source: Industrial research Fund (IOF) Category 3 (C3) – project partners: In cooperation with KU Leuven

International collaborations:

• TU Delft
• Solent University Southampton
• UPHF – Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France
• NICE – Noordelijk Innovatielab Circulaire Economie
• BDI – Bretagne Développement Innovation

Main relevant publications

1. Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA), 2022, pp. 253-259, doi: 10.1109/ICRERA55966.2022.9922902.
2. De Wilde, B., Schotte, S. (contr.) (2022). Hogeschool VIVES opent nieuw waterstofcentrum VRT NWS.
3. Buysschaert, F., Mus, J., De Tollenaere, S., Schotte, S., Van Luchem, P. (contr.) (2021). Webinar: Hoe starten met toepassingen op waterstofgas?
4. Mus, J., Mylle, S., Schotte, S., Fevery, S., Latré, S., Buysschaert, F. (2022). CFD Modelling and Simulation of PEMFCs in STAR-CCM+. In: 2022 11th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA), (260-267). Presented at the International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA), Istanbul, Turkey
5. All – Energy Australia, Melbourne 25/10/2023 Green hydrogen in Flanders