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Home | HHO Kits | Map Sensors | PWM Controllers | EFIE Controllers | Misc Electrical Components
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Copyright HHO Connection 2008-2009 All Rights Reserved.
HHO Gas, otherwise known as Brown's Gas, is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen that is produced by the process of electrolysis.
In its simplest form, electrolysis consists of two pieces of conductive material; in this case stainless steel submerged in water. An electrical current is added to the conductors, positive on one and negative on the other. This causes the hydrogen and oxygen atoms that make up the water molecules to split. The separated hydrogen and oxygen atoms float to the top in the form of bubbles. There are two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen atom, hence the name HHO.
HHO gas is very combustible and makes an excellent fuel. When HHO is burned the only by-product is water.
HHO is created by a generator. These generators primarily consist of high grade, stainless steel metal, water and an electrolysis catalyst, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Generally, there are two types of HHO generators: wet and dry cells.
Wet cell generators are inexpensive and easy to build. One type of wet cell consists of a water-filled container, often a Mason jar, with two braided pieces of stainless steel wire (a positive and a negative) submerged inside. The wires are wrapped around in a coil so that the positive and negative run very close to each other, without touching. The wires are then hooked up to a car battery to produce HHO gas.
Another popular type of wet cell consists of two or more stainless steel plates, submerged in a water-tight container. The plates are spaced evenly apart in a row and bolted together.
Plates, as opposed to wires, give you more total surface area, thus allowing for increased power input, resulting in more HHO output. But, be careful: The maximum efficient amperage of a cell is dependent on the total square inches of the surface area. If you give the cell too much power you're boiling water and injecting steam.
The number one disadvantage of using a wet cell is safety. Due to the nature of the design there's always the possibility of an electrical short inside the container, which could result in an explosion. Units made of glass are particularly dangerous in this situation.
Depending on the application and keeping safety in mind, wet cells can be a great place to start in your experimentation with HHO.
Dry cell generators consist of high quality, stainless steel plates and gaskets sandwiched together to form a "brick" of steel. Holes are drilled in the plates allowing water to flow through the cell. The gaskets in between separate the plates and create cavities which allow water from the reservoir to circulate through the dry cell, producing HHO gas. Most dry cells are configured with 4 to 5 neutral plates, surrounded by positive and negative plates. The neutral plates help to lower the voltage between plates which makes the unit run more efficiently, produce less heat and create more HHO gas than a wet cell using the same amount of supplied power.
The water and HHO gas exit the dry cell and circulate back into the reservoir, where the water gets recycled and the HHO gas gets sent to the "bubbler." The bubbler does two things: it acts as a safety device by preventing flashbacks from reaching the reservoir and it helps to filter out the catalyst vapors. From there, the HHO gas is added to the air that is already being fed into the engine and acts as a fuel supplement.
The main advantage of a dry cell is that the electrical components are not submerged in water as they are in a wet cell. This eliminates the possibility of an electrical short causing an explosion inside of the generator.
Experimenters are exploring the following uses for HHO gas:
• Fuel Supplement for internal combustion engines
• Torches (welding, glass blowing, brazing, etc.)
• Home heaters
HHO as a fuel supplement for vehicles
The average internal combustion engine burns about 30% of its fuel at best. The rest is wasted and left behind in the form of carbon deposits in the engine, or it goes out of the exhaust and into our air as carbon emissions. Adding HHO helps to burn the fuel more efficiently, resulting in almost 100% of the fuel actually being burned. If applied properly the benefits are increased power and cleaner emissions. And, since the fuel is being burned more efficiently, less is needed, resulting in better mileage.
Another advantage of HHO helping to burn more of the fuel, is that less carbon will form on your engine which means longer engine life and fewer oil changes.
One of the fears that people have when they hear the word "hydrogen" is that they don't want to be driving around with a so-called hydrogen bomb in their car. HHO gas is generated on-demand, which means it's only being produced when the engine is running. The gas is never stored so there is no danger of a full-scale, vehicle explosion. However, if you do not have an adequately designed system that includes safety features like a bubbler, flashback protector and pressure relief valves, you can run the risk of a small explosion of the HHO generator itself. This is especially a concern when using a glass jar generator, as the glass shards could cause serious injury.
All combustible fuels carry certain risk factors when handling. Safety precautions should always be thoughtfully considered, no matter the fuel or application.
Advantages of using HHO gas as a fuel supplement
Although more testing is needed, experimenters have had the following results when using HHO gas as a fuel supplement:• Improved gas mileage
• Extended engine life
• Reduced carbon build-up inside engine
• Increased power
• Lower emission output
"So what kind of mileage increases can I expect?"
This frequently asked question is based on spurious mileage claims made by a few HHO generator manufacturers. Truth be told, there is no guarantee of mileage gains and those who claim a certain percentage increase can only point to their own vehicles and installation methods as proof. What should be made clear is that each vehicle is different and there are many factors that can impede results.
The main issue stems from the OBD2 computers being used in vehicles from 1996 to present. When HHO is introduced to these newer vehicles, it throws off different sensors in the engine causing the OBD2 computer to compensate, usually by adding more gas. Those who install HHO generators in their newer vehicles often wonder why they initially saw mileage gains only to have those reduced or eliminated once the computer "caught on" and recalibrated the air/fuel mixture.
There are electronic devices such as, EFIEs and MAP/MAF sensor controllers, that "trick" the computer into thinking that the vehicle is receiving the proper air/fuel mixture. However, current EPA rules (Title 42, section 203b of the Clean Air Act) prohibit the use of these devices, and by using one you risk the possibility of being fined.
Another factor that can impede results is the lack of qualified mechanics and tuners who can competently install HHO generators. This process is not a do-it-yourself, snap it into place proposition. Only those with extensive know-how should be contemplating an install because improperly introduced HHO generators run the risk of damaging your vehicle's engine.
HHO enthusiasts are constantly experimenting to gain a greater understanding of the fuel, it's applications and usability. Open source applications can be found online as well as a host of helpful tutorials and videos on sites like YouTube.
The International HHO Institute (IHHOI) has formed to provide quality and safety standards, while protecting the integrity of the HHO industry. Their goal is "to serve the professional and public interest for those looking to improve the energy situation in our country." And, their focus at this time is HHO gas production for fuel engines.
The IHHOI is attracting the best and brightest of the HHO movement. These are people who have devoted untold amounts of time and energy developing HHO applications. Their professional experience and collective wealth of information is invaluable to the cause.
There are several things you can do to expedite HHO's future as a fuel supplement/alternative:
1) TEST, TEST, TEST! Nothing is more valuable to the cause than verifiable and conclusive test results. Get a generator in the hands of mechanics and tuners with dynos, automotive schools or institutes, universities with alternative energy focused programs, and any other establishment that can do thorough bench testing. Share your results with others through online forums, videos and the IHHOI.
2) Join the IHHOI. Membership is inexpensive and you'll be able to share in the steering of HHO's future. You'll also have access to the vast amount of information and expertise of those already involved.
3) Start an experimenters club. Who knows? You may just find the next great use for HHO.
4) Ask your state representatives to take action for a greener future. Let them know that alternative energy solutions are no longer a pipe dream - we must take action now. It's an important and rewarding pursuit, so keep the pressure on those who lead to make permanent changes.
