PEM hydrogen-on-demand for heavy diesel engines.
A proton-exchange-membrane electrolyser produces hydrogen and oxygen from distilled water using DC power from the vehicle or genset electrical system. The gases are injected into the engine's air intake to enhance combustion — without modifying the fuel system, after-treatment or ECU.
How the system operates
Sealed reservoir feeds the PEM stack. No electrolyte additives, no caustic chemistry.
DC current splits H₂O across a solid polymer membrane into hydrogen and oxygen.
Bunded gas/liquid separator removes moisture before injection.
Gases are introduced upstream of the engine air intake — no fuel system modification.
Faster flame propagation in the cylinder reduces unburnt hydrocarbons and particulates.
Optional CAN/Modbus output for fleet management and continuous performance reporting.
Why proton exchange membrane?
PEM electrolysis uses a solid polymer membrane rather than a liquid alkaline electrolyte. The result is a cleaner, more compact and more responsive unit — appropriate for mobile and vibrating environments. There is no caustic solution to refill, no risk of electrolyte spillage, and the unit can ramp output rapidly in response to engine load.
| Electrolyte | Purified water · solid PEM membrane (no KOH / NaOH) |
|---|---|
| Pressure storage | None — on-demand generation |
| After-treatment compatibility | DPF · SCR · EGR · AdBlue |
| Fuel system change | None |
| ECU remap | Not required |
| Vehicle compatibility | Gasoline · Diesel · LPG · Hybrid |
Thermal efficiency & hydrogen-assisted combustion
A long-form technical piece by Peter Griffiths (YBG Group International) on how a small H₂/O₂ fraction in the intake changes the burn, why steady-load engines respond most strongly, and what our own road-trial data shows.