Hydrogen fuel enhancement

Hydrogen fuel enhancement is the process of using a mixture of hydrogen and conventional hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine, typically in a car or truck, to improve fuel economy, power output, or both. While the term may be used to refer to different ways of implementing this concept, it more commonly refers to the controversial practice of using hydrogen produced through an electrolysis system on-board the vehicle. Scientifically accepted methods include storing hydrogen on the vehicle as a second fuel, or reforming conventional fuel into hydrogen with a catalyst.

There has been a great deal of research into fuel mixtures, such as gasoline and nitrous oxide injection. Mixtures of hydrogen and hydrocarbons are no exception.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]} These sources suggest fuel efficiency increases as well as reduced emissions through the addition of hydrogen to conventional fuels. For example, one research project added hydrogen to an automobile engine to run the engine leaner:

Lean-mixture-ratio combustion in internal-combustion engines has the potential of producing low emissions and higher thermal efficiency for several reasons. First, excess oxygen in the charge further oxidizes unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Second, excess oxygen lowers the peak combustion temperatures, which inhibits the formation of oxides of nitrogen. Third, the lower combustion temperatures increase the mixture-specific heat ratio by decreasing the net dissociation losses. Fourth, as the specific heat ratio increases, the cycle thermal efficiency also increases, which gives the potential for better fuel economy.^[1]

Many of these sources also suggest that modifications to the engine's air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, emissions control systems, electronic control systems and possibly other design elements, might be required in order to obtain any significant results. Due to the inherent complexity of these subsystems, a necessity of modern engine design and emissions standards, claims made by proponents of hydrogen fuel enhancement are not only difficult to substantiate, but often disputed.

To date, Hydrogen fuel enhancement products have not been specifically addressed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. No research devices or commercial products have reports available as per the "Motor Vehicle Aftermarket Retrofit Device Evaluation Program."^[9]

Electrolysis

Hydrogen fuel enhancement from electrolysis (utilizing automotive alternators) has been promoted for use with diesel trucks,^[10][11][12] although electrolysis-based designs have been repeatedly debunked. Proponents, who sell the units, claim that the dynamics are often misconstrued, and due to the chemical properties of the resulting mixture, it is possible to gain efficiency increases in a manner that does not violate any scientific laws. Recent tests by consumer watch groups have shown negative results.^{[13][14][15] [16]} Because it requires as much energy to separate hydrogen from oxygen as would be gained from burning the hydrogen produced in this method, the concept of such a device is often stated to be in direct violation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

Catalysis

Arvin Meritor, a Tier 1 supplier of automotive technology, at one time, was developing a plasma reformer technology which would use hydrogen produced from the fuel to enhance engine combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of NO_x^[17]. This research was being conducted in conjunction with the Sloan Automotive Laboratory at MIT. Eventually, the division conducting this research was sold off to an equity investment firm^[18].

See also

• Water-fuelled car

References

1. ^ ^{a b} NASA Technical Note, May 1977, "Emissions and Total Energy Consumption of a Multicylinder Piston Engine Running on Gasoline and a Hydrogen–Gasoline Mixture" (Accessed 2008-08-08)
2. ^ Idaho National Laboratory on Fuel Enhancement
3. ^ G. Fontana, E. Galloni, E. Jannelli and M. Minutillo (January 2002). "Performance and Fuel Consumption Estimation of a Hydrogen Enriched Gasoline Engine at Part-Load Operation". SAE Technical Paper Series (2002–01–2196): 4–5. 
4. ^ Mathur H.B., Das L.M. (1991). "Performance characteristics of a Hydrogen Fueled SI Engine using Timed Manifold Injection". Int. J. Hydrogen Energy (vol 16, pp. 115–117, 1991). 
5. ^ Per Tunestal, Magnus Christensen, Patrik Einewall, Tobias Andersson, and Bengt Johansson (January 2002). "Hydrogen Addition For Improved Lean Burn Capability of Slow and Fast Natural Gas Combustion Chambers". SAE Technical Paper Series (2002–01–2686): 7–8. 
6. ^ Tsolakis A, Megaritis A, Wyszynski ML, "Application of exhaust gas fuel reforming in compression ignition engines fueled by diesel and biodiesel fuel mixtures" Energy & Fuels 17 (6): 1464–1473 NOV-DEC 2003.
7. ^ Yougen Kong, Sam Crane, Palak Patel and Bill Taylor (January 2004). "NO_x Trap Regeneration with an On-Board Hydrogen Generation Device". SAE Technical Paper Series (2004–01–0582): 6–7. 
8. ^ Thorsten Allgeier, Martin Klenk and Tilo Landenfeld (January 2004). "Advanced Emissions and Fuel Economy Control Using Combined Injection of Gasoline and Hydrogen in SI-Engines". SAE Technical Paper Series (2004–01–1270): 11–12. 
9. ^ See list of devices tested under EPA Gas Saving and Emission Reduction Devices Evaluation
10. ^ Business Name
11. ^ Wired magazine: Truckers Choose Hydrogen Power
12. ^ "GreenChek Technology corporate website". http://www.greenchektech.com/. Retrieved 2009-02-12. 
13. ^ Popular Mechanics Water-Powered Cars: Hydrogen Electrolyzer Mod Can't Up MPGs.
14. ^ Greenville News Looking Out 4 You: Water 4 Gas Fails to Boost Mileage
15. ^ "Hydrogen conversion claims put to the test - Video". 3 News. http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/CampbellLive/tabid/367/articleID/64717/cat/84/Default.aspx. Retrieved 4 October 2011. 
16. ^ http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/07/water4gas.html Consumer Affairs Water4gas
17. ^ Hydrogen-Enhanced Combustion Engine Could Improve Gasoline Fuel Economy by 20% to 30%
18. ^ ArvinMeritor to Sell its Emissions Technologies Group