The Integrated Hydrogen-Argon Power Cycle (iHAPC) project consortium, led by the University of Vaasa in Finland, aims to revolutionise the energy sector by showcasing the sustainable hydrogen-argon power cycle at pilot scale. The concept is targeting unprecedented power generation efficiency with net-zero emissions.

According to the researchers, the hydrogen-argon power cycle could have a significant impact for the energy sector. In the cycle, the combustion oxygen present in the air fed to standard internal combustion engines, is replaced by an argon/oxygen mixture. The research focuses on scaling up the power cycle to medium speed engines with full argon recovery. The use of argon enables a considerably higher thermodynamic efficiency owing to its properties, which the researchers claim will increase the efficiency of hydrogen combustion by 10-20% points with net-zero emissions.

When using hydrogen, oxygen and argon as input, the only product from the process is water and the inert argon. Argon is recycled from the exhaust back to the inlet to form a closed-loop combustion cycle. Hydrogen and oxygen, the only inputs in the iHAPC, are both products of electrolysis, which increases the overall efficiency of the power-to-hydrogen-to-power process.

The three-year iHAPC project, which will run from 2025-2027, has a total budget of €8.6 million which is primarily funded by Business Finland, with the remaining funds provided by the companies and research organisations involved. In addition to the University of Vaasa, the project involves VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and University of Oulu, together with the industrial partners Wärtsilä, Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Finland Oy, Vahterus Oy, Vaisala Oyj, and TotalEnergies SE. These five industrial companies are responsible for developing the enabling technologies for iHAPC, whilst prototyping and upscaling the tests to medium speed engine size are provided by the research organisations.

The project will culminate with a demonstration of the technology confirming its performance and its potential as a viable, scalable solution for a carbon-neutral future. The iHAPC project is the first to use the joint energy laboratory located at the University of Vaasa. The laboratory was established together with Wärtsilä, VTT and University of Oulu to serve as a centre of excellence in combustion technology in the region.