The hydrogen-argon power cycle (H-APC) is the next big thing for the energy sector. It enables full valorisation of green hydrogen (H2) with unprecedented power generation efficiency. The concept offers a step-change for well-established and robust combustion engine technology, by substituting air with a monoatomic gas, argon. The superior ratio of specific heat of argon not only raises the efficiency of H2 combustion by 10-20 percentage points but is true zero-emission (no exhaust). In a nutshell, H-APC brings all the benefits of fuel-cell technology at a fraction of its mass, volume, and costs. It also provides system integration benefits by combined hydrogen energy storage / power generation and various production processes through chemical-looping.
The iHAPC – Integrated Hydrogen-Argon Power Cycle project aims to bring H-APC to technology readiness level 6 (TRL-6) by demonstrating sustainable operation with at least 65% efficiency. This is the first time working at a real-world scale of power generation (150 kW per cylinder, scalable with a multi-cylinder layout) with full recovery of argon and water.
The five companies participating in the consortium are responsible for developing the enabling technologies for the radically new argon combustor, condenser and separator. The rapid-prototyping methods for solving the research problems of this cutting-edge endeavour are provided by three key Finnish research institutes (University of Vaasa, VTT and Oulu University), which also take responsibility for system integration and process control. The project is coupled to Wärtsilä’s “Wide & Intelligent Sustainable Energy” (WISE) ecosystem and linked to the EU’s Processes4Planet partnership program. This cross-coupling secures Finnish technology dominance in the strategic area of power generation. It also explores new business opportunities with the relevant European stakeholders for closed-loop combustion in the process industry.
The project is primarily funded by Business Finland, with the remaining funds provided by the companies and research organisations involved.
The project consists of 10 work packages
WP1 Defining argon-based mixture composition
WP2 Hydrogen combustion in argon-based environment
WP3 Safety aspects
WP4 Advanced knock/thermal stress mitigation measures
WP5 APC system buildup and project coordination
WP6 Gas-path control / system layout vs. full-cycle efficiency
WP7 Condenser efficiency improvement
WP8 Fuel flexibility considerations
WP9 System level applications and P2X2P
WP10 Business case and feasibility