Although there are some scientific reasons to add hydrogen to fuel to improve combustion, most people who sell these devices are full of beans. This article will provide more information on hydrogenated fuels and how they work. It also includes advice about how to spot a scam.
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Adding Hydrogen To Fuel Can Boost Fuel Economy
Combustion occurs when fuel and air are combined in the engine’s cylinder. Combustion, which is also known as controlled explosion, generates heat and force that moves a piston. Different fuel types combust differently so altering the chemical composition can have a significant impact on the combustion process.
- If you’re talking about a diesel engine that burns diesel fuel, there is a lot of evidence that hydrogen can increase diesel fuel economy.
- DynaCERT, which manufactures fuel hydrogenation devices to fuel diesel trucks, has documented that their devices help save fuel
- Popular Mechanics reported similar claims from HyTech Power, a different device company.
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Popular Mechanics and DynaCERT both explain that hydrogen combusts faster than diesel so adding hydrogen to diesel fuel can increase engine efficiency. Fast-burning hydrogen additives ensure more complete combustion. Fuel economy can increase up to 20%.
Although there isn’t much research available to back these claims (I challenge anyone who uses SAE.org to find a paper on this technology), it’s difficult to dispute performance guarantees and third-party testing lab results. These companies have every right to be believed.
There’s a charlatan out there selling “HHO Kits” to transform water into fuel. It is impossible to believe.
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Why adding Hydrogen to Gasoline Won’t Help?
Although there are studies that suggest adding hydrogen to gasoline can increase flame speed and improve combustion, it is unlikely that modern-day gas-powered cars would benefit much from hydrogenated fuel. Modern gasoline engines are engineered to reduce combustion temperatures, negating much of the hydrogenation benefits.
- You’ll see the following effects of hydrogen if you read the papers mentioned above:
- The heat produced by the combustion process is greater
- The process is more efficient with this additional heat, but it also increases the NOx produced during combustion (NOx, which is nitrogen oxide, is a pollutant).
Modern car engines are engineered to prevent NOx from forming because it is a pollutant. EGR (exhaust gases recirculation) pumps exhaust gas into the engine cylinder prior to combustion. In order to maintain temperatures, these exhaust gases can reduce power by intentionally reducing fuel and air levels in the engine cylinder.
The idea is that hydrogenated gasoline could increase combustion temperatures. However, if it does, your car’s EGR system will respond by adding more exhaust gases to the cylinder.
So, Are Hydrogen Kits A Scam?
- The short answer to your question is yes.
If the device is sold by a trusted company that supports third-party research and/or offers a performance guarantee, It’s likely to be legit if it is. DynaCERT has, for instance, ample evidence to back up its claims.
It’s possible to get it from “some guy” on Amazon and eBay. But, there is no third-party research. It can be thrown in the trash and forgotten.
Do you hear a kit seller promising a 90% increase in fuel economy? Don’t believe them. DynaCERT claims that 20% is the highest they have seen. Research shows that the average benefit is less than a single digit percent. It is reasonable to expect somewhere between 5%- 20%. Anything higher than that is just beans.
It’s enough to say that if you are looking for a hydrogen kit to fit your vehicle, whether it be a car, truck, SUV or Peterbilt then it is a good idea to ask for documentation and find out the refund policy. Also, make sure to verify all sources.