Hydrogen fuel injection
Encyclopedia
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. 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
:
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."
(utilizing automotive alternator
s) has been promoted for use with diesel trucks, 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.
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
.
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
, typically in a car or truck, to improve fuel economy
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
, power output
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
, 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
Electrolysis of water
Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due to an electric current being passed through the water.-Principle:...
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
Nitrous
Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound used as an oxidizing agent to increase an internal combustion engine's power output by allowing more fuel to be burned than would normally be the case.-Nitrous and NOS:...
. Mixtures of hydrogen and hydrocarbons are no exception. 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 burn
Lean burn refers to the use of lean mixtures in an internal combustion engine. The air-fuel ratios can be as high as 65:1, so the mixture has considerably less fuel in comparison to the stoichiometric combustion ratio ....
:
Lean-mixture-ratio combustion in internal-combustion engines has the potential of producing low emissionsAir pollutionAir pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
and higher thermal efficiencyThermal efficiencyIn thermodynamics, the thermal efficiency is a dimensionless performance measure of a device that uses thermal energy, such as an internal combustion engine, a boiler, a furnace, or a refrigerator for example.-Overview:...
for several reasons. First, excess oxygen in the charge further oxidizes unburned hydrocarbonHydrocarbonIn organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
s 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.
Many of these sources also suggest that modifications to the engine's air-fuel ratio
Air-fuel ratio
Air–fuel ratio is the mass ratio of air to fuel present in an internal combustion engine. If exactly enough air is provided to completely burn all of the fuel, the ratio is known as the stoichiometric mixture, often abbreviated to stoich...
, ignition timing
Ignition timing
Ignition timing, in a spark ignition internal combustion engine , is the process of setting the angle relative to piston position and crankshaft angular velocity that a spark will occur in the combustion chamber near the end of the compression stroke...
, emissions control systems
Emissions control
Emissions control may refer to:* EMCON, military state of readiness.* Technology involved in vehicle emissions control* Regulation of air pollution via emission standards...
, 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
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
. No research devices or commercial products have reports available as per the "Motor Vehicle Aftermarket Retrofit Device Evaluation Program."
Electrolysis
Hydrogen fuel enhancement from electrolysisElectrolysis
In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction...
(utilizing automotive alternator
Alternator
An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field but linear alternators are occasionally used...
s) has been promoted for use with diesel trucks, 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.
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
First law of thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics is an expression of the principle of conservation of work.The law states that energy can be transformed, i.e. changed from one form to another, but cannot be created nor destroyed...
and second
Second law of thermodynamics
The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the tendency that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential equilibrate in an isolated physical system. From the state of thermodynamic equilibrium, the law deduced the principle of the increase of entropy and...
laws of thermodynamics
Laws of thermodynamics
The four laws of thermodynamics summarize its most important facts. They define fundamental physical quantities, such as temperature, energy, and entropy, in order to describe thermodynamic systems. They also describe the transfer of energy as heat and work in thermodynamic processes...
.