Hydrogen generator to save gasoline

[JohninCT]

A "handyman technology" that I think is interesting is "wood gas" or "producer gas" generators. Lots of us use wood as an alternative fuel for home heating. I like the idea of using it to power an engine for emergency power. Plenty of people have made units to power cars or trucks but you need to tote around a bunch of fuel. I thinkk the stationary engine/generator is more practical. You Tube has plenty of videos of people building and using wood gas generators.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, you are dead wrong.

I didn't say it would work. I don't think it will work. I think it is fun to mess around with stuff, though. And I want PineRidge to have fun investigating it. So much fun, that he tinkers with making one and reports back to us all of his results, good and bad. That way I can get the results from someone I trust (somewhat ).

It is never a waste of time to learn stuff first hand. Great fun.

 

[MossRoad]

A "handyman technology" that I think is interesting is "wood gas" or "producer gas" generators. Lots of us use wood as an alternative fuel for home heating. I like the idea of using it to power an engine for emergency power. Plenty of people have made units to power cars or trucks but you need to tote around a bunch of fuel. I thinkk the stationary engine/generator is more practical. You Tube has plenty of videos of people building and using wood gas generators.

Yeah. I saw some literature on those. There was a guy running a tractor that had a wood burning trash can on the front piped into the air intake. I would have never known that was possible without reading about it.

 

[SPIKER]

the professor on Gilligan's island made a coconut shell/husk burning engine (these are/were actually very popular at one time) There is a lot of unburnt fuel in the husks/smoke that works quite well when pressurized in the combustion chamber of an engine. (though are more similar to a steam engine or old hit miss than a modern ICE type engine.)

I have heard a lot about the hydrogen generators as well, it must me passed along over C.B. as the trucker I know have been talking regarding it and asked me about it as well. my answer was similar to what was posted, it may actually work, but as far as increasing mileage it is doubtful as law of diminishing returns comes into effect way early... that 1600% seems like it may be close , lots of inefficiencies in ICE and adding more inefficiencies making electricity then using it to make the H ~O2 fuel means more losses. but perhaps O2 probably what helps more than the H does. Will it help enough?? not sure I have not read any actual scientific discussions regarding it, it may actually help somewhat if the car/truck is already WAY messed up with a rich condition that needs more O2.

more than likely it will help your alt go out earlier & waste a bunch of time & effort is all...

I'm willing to bet that if you already have a gas guzzler that is running rich it may actually help it out a bit if you were to add pure O2 with a bit of H tossed in as well..


Mark M

 

[zzvyb6]

I solved all my transportation needs by building a house on a high hill. I can coast down to any place I want to go. Problem solved.

 

[MossRoad]

I solved all my transportation needs by building a house on a high hill. I can coast down to any place I want to go. Problem solved.

That's the spirit!

 

[Egon]

by building a house on a high hill.

??? We have a house at the end of a river so we can paddle downhill to get home!

 

[MossRoad]

...The ones that I have seen pump the gas into the air stream upstream from the mass air flow sensor ...

Ooops. He installed it between the mass air flow sensor and the throttle body. Sorry.

 

[Egon]

Ooops. He installed it between the mass air flow sensor and the throttle body. Sorry.

But was it uphill or downhill?

 

[Mike120]

When I lived in the UK there was a farmer who ran his car on chicken manure. He had a pressure cooker in the trunk that he heated with a pilot light and it made enough methane to power his car. I understand now his farm is pretty much energy self-sufficent as long as his chickens keep producing. Methane works a lot better than hydrogen!

 

[radioman]

careful - we wouldnt want to have the gov to step in and put taxes on those chicken methane. Our governor in new york state wants to tax the cows for passing methane?!! He must be insane!!!! our milk prices are high enough as it is!!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

OK, I know I'm johnny come lately but...I now work at a place that specializes in fuel cell technology.

This is all generalistic in nature so don't shoot the messenger. Using solar panels to power an "electrolizer" (which is a reverse fuel cell), you can make and store hydrogen. Then pump the hydrogen into your car's storage tank. There are a bunch of underlying issues but a mad scientist with plenty of money could make it work. If you move to the city of Austin, they'll pay a big chunk for a home solar electric system up to 3000 watts as long as you stay connected to the grid. So, there's maybe a way to make hydrogen semi cheaply. Please note, HYDROGEN IS DANGEROUS! It is hard to store and handle without proper knowledge and equipment.

Link is to a seller of basic fuel cell apparatus.

Dr. Fuel Cell Professional - Complete Package - Demonstration - Fuel Cell Store

PS, Pineridge, what happened to your Southbend lathe project???