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The technology of using hydrogen as a combustion
enhancement in internal combustion engines has been researched
and proven for many years. The benefits are factual and well
documented. Our own utilization of this technology. i.e. the
CHEC HFI hydrogen injection system, has also been tested
and proven both by institutions and in hundreds of practical
applications in road vehicles.
Here is a synopsis of a sampling of the research that has
been done:
In 1974 John Houseman and D.J/Cerini of the Jet Propulsion
Lab, California Institute of Technology produced a report
for the Society of Automotive Engineers entitled "On-Board
Hydrogen Generator for a Partial Hydrogen Injection Internal
Combustion Engine".
In 1974 F.W. Hoehn and M.W. Dowy of the Jet Propulsion Lab,
prepared a report for the 9th Inter society Energy Conversion
Engineering Conference, entitled "Feasibility Demonstration
of a Road Vehicle Fueled with Hydrogen Enriched Gasoline."
In the early eighties George Vosper P. Eng., ex-professor
of Dynamics and Canadian inventor, designed and patented a
device to transform internal combustion engines to run on
hydrogen. He later affirms: "A small amount of hydrogen
added to the air intake of a gasoline engine would enhance
the flame velocity and thus permit the engine to operate with
leaner air to gasoline mixture than otherwise possible. The
result, far less pollution with more power and better mileage."
In 1995, Wagner, Jamal and Wyszynski, at the Birmingham, of
University Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing>,
demonstrated the advantages of "Fractional addition of
hydrogen to internal combustion engines by exhaust gas fuel
reforming." The process yielded benefits in improved
combustion stability and reduced nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon
emissions.
Roy MacAlister, PE of the American Hydrogen Association states
the "Use of mixtures of hydrogen in small quantities
and conventional fuels offers significant reductions in exhaust
emissions" and that "Using hydrogen as a combustion
stimulant it is possible for other fuels to meet future requirements
for lower exhaust emissions in California and an increasing
number of additional states. Relatively small amounts of hydrogen
can dramatically increase horsepower and reduce exhaust emissions."
At the HYPOTHESIS Conference, University of Cassino, Italy,
June 26-29, 1995, a group of scientists from the University
of Birmingham, UK, presented a study about hydrogen as a fraction
of the fuel. In the abstract of that study it stated: "Hydrogen,
when used as a fractional additive at extreme lean engine
operation, yields benefits in improved combustion stability
and reduced nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon emissions."
In the Spring of 1997, at an international conference held
by the University of Calgary, a team of scientists representing
the Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University,
China, presented a mathematical model for the process of formation
and restraint of toxic emissions in hydrogen-gasoline mixture
fueled engines. Using the theory of chemical dynamics of combustion,
the group elaborated an explanation of the mechanism of forming
toxic emissions in spark ignition engines. The results of
their experimental investigation conclude that because of
the characteristics of hydrogen, the mixture can rapidly burn
in hydrogen-gasoline mixture fueled engines, thus toxic emissions
are restrained. These studies and other research on hydrogen
as a fuel supplement generated big efforts in trying to develop
practical systems to enhance internal combustion engine performance.
A few of them materialized in patented devices that didn't’t
reach the level of performance, safety or feasibility that
would allow them to reach marketing stages.
California Environmental Engineering (CEE) has tested this
technology and found reduction on all exhaust emissions. They
subsequently stated: "CEE feels that the result of this
test verifies that this technology is a viable source for
reducing emissions and fuel consumption on large diesel engines."
The American Hydrogen Association Test Lab tested this technology
and proved that: "Emissions test results indicate that
a decrease of toxic emissions was realized." Again, zero
emissions were observed on CO. Northern Alberta Institute
of Technology. Vehicle subjected to dynamometer loading in
controlled conditions showed drastic reduction of emissions
and improved horsepower.
Corrections Canada tested several systems and concluded,
"The hydrogen system is a valuable tool in helping Corrections
Canada meet the overall Green Plan by: reducing vehicle emissions
down to an acceptable level and meeting the stringent emissions
standard set out by California and British Columbia; reducing
the amount of fuel consumed by increased mileage."
Additionally, their analysis pointed out that this solution
is the most cost effective. For their research they granted
the C.S.C. Environmental Award.
We also conducted extensive testing in our facility in order
to prove reliability (MTBF, life expectancy, etc.) and determine
safety and performance of the components and the entire system.
As a result of these tests, we achieved important breakthroughs
as far as the designs of the components were concerned. We
have since increased the hydrogen/oxygen production significantly.
This has resulted in increased effectiveness on engine performance. The results of these tests were able to confirm the claims
made about this technology: the emissions will be reduced,
the horsepower will increase and the fuel consumption will
be reduced. |
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