I’m sure by now, anyone looking to increase their cars fuel economy has heard of HHO. Electrolysis is sound science that most children learn in school – feeding current through H2O splits the liquid into its elements. Igniting the gas causes a reaction and the result is H2O.
The fight amongst nay-sayers and HHO fans is one of efficiency. Yes, feeding hydrogen into an engine will undoubtedly create torque – but the energy required to create that hydrogen probably leaves no room for gain.
I intend to test HHO, and I have hopes. Here’s why I think HHO could work:
- Feeding hydrogen into the engine might help improve combustion.
- Igniting hydrogen gas creates water, and heat makes water expand. Heat is a wasted resource.
More on my second point: have you ever heard of a six stroke engine? The first four strokes are what you’d expect – intake, compression, combustion, exhaust. But then there is a fifth and sixth stroke. On the fifth, the valves shut completely and water is injected into the cylinder. The heat causes the water to expand rapidly. The sixth stroke is used to expel the super heated steam from the cylinder.
I wonder if adding HHO to a four stroke engine has a similar effect?
If it is at all possible, I think the secret to this will be in producing enough hydrogen.