Supplemental Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conversion Specialists

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hydrotechnix.hho

HYDROTECHNIX

Q. CAN YOU RUN THIS SYSTEM ON TAP WATER?

A. Yes but the impurities in tap water mean the fuel cell would need cleaning more often and would not produce so much HHO gas. Bottled water is much better as it's purer. 1 litre of water produces 1866 litres of gas! This is a fact, not made up! See Faradays Law of Electrolysis. This means it does not need 'topping up' very often.
Q. WILL IT WORK ON MY CAR?
A. Yes. It works with all fossil fuelled engines but works particularly well with diesels (& turbo diesels). Petrol vehicles after 1995 may need some extra equipment and small modifications to work correctly. However it will work on 99% of engines that use the internal combustion engine...even hybrids and LPG. All other HHO companies are finding their systems with some of the latest breed of Diesel engine management systems (euro V compliant) We are the only company to develop a patented electronic solution. Other companies will not tell you this!
Q. CAN I RUN ON JUST WATER?
A. No, 100% water cars are in development, but a long way off being released to the public. With our revolutionary technology, you will easily be able to increase your mileage, save thousands a year on fuel and radically assist reducing emissions and global warming.
Q. HOW MUCH WATER DOES IT CONSUME?
A. Very small amounts. It's difficult to give an exact amount as there are so many variables. However, on average, the reservoir will need topping up every 1000 miles only depending on what size reservoir will fit under the bonnet.
Q. IS THIS SYSTEM DANGEROUS UNDER MY BONNET?
A. No! Although Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, only small amounts are required to make a difference to the fuel economy. The gas is then fed into the engine and burned immediately (this technology is sometimes referred to as 'Hydrogen on Demand' for that reason). Even in the unfortunate case of a vehicle collision, there is no extra risk of explosion because there is no pressurised Hydrogen “tank” to ignite.
First thing you have to understand is there are NO safety issues or hazards with this system. This system is SAFE.
Pure Hydrogen is dangerous. It is dangerous to store it in high-pressure tanks. These systems do NOT generate Hydrogen alone, they generate HHO gas. The presence of Oxygen and water vapour in the system makes HHO very safe!
HHO is a powerful combustible gas but it’s NOT explosive like pure Hydrogen. It does NOT need cooling and will be ignited only by the strong spark inside your engine. This has been proven by many thousands of miles of road tests in harsh weather and road conditions. Any unburned gas that did escape following a colision (this could only be the tiny amount held within the inlet pipe) would disperse immediately as hydrogen is six times lighter than air, mixing with the atmosheric air immediately. Basically you get the power of Hydrogen with the safety of a glass of water. HHO gas contains high energy, and in particular, generates cold flame with tremendous energy potential upon ignition. HHO gas is
a special and highly efficient medium that transmits electrical energy to the atomic structure of a material and exhibits special effects that are
often unobtainable by any other means. HHO gas is essentially easy to handle, is odorless, and is harmless to the human body even when inhaled.
Further, HHO gas is lighter than air, diffuses rapidly in air, and has a high initial flammability limit, which makes it safer than other combustible gases. Once it mixes with atmoshperic air it loses it's capability to be exposive unlike for example petrol fumes.
Q. WHAT QUALITY ARE THE PARTS USED IN THIS SYSTEM?
A. These units are of a robust construction and are made to withstand the rigours of road use. Unlike some units, our fuel cells are built to exacting engineering standards with over forty years of car construction experience behind them and thousands of successful installs throughout the world. Other companies use glass storage jars or perspex! However, we have our fuel cells specially made for us out of bulletproof Plexiglas, capable of withstanding very high temperatures. Internally, we only use the best quality materials regardless of cost. We have our own fuel cells fitted to all our vehicles, as we are confident that our fuel cells are the best!
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT IT TAKEN OFF?
A. We can do this for you and it only takes about 20 minutes to remove. If you want it moved to your new vehicle, we can do this for you also. Cost depends on the vehicles involved. Please call or email for a quote (see our contacts page).
Q. HOW CAN HYDROGEN BE MORE EFFICIENT THAN JUST PETROL OR DIESEL?
A. Hydrogen is 3 times more powerful than petrol or diesel. It burns at a higher temperature and in a nutshell, this technology lowers emissions and improves fuel mileage, thanks to a MORE COMPLETE COMBUSTION PROCESS. Petrol or diesel only releases 21%-23% of it's potential energy. Instead of being converted to forward motion, it is instead converted to pollution/carbon deposits (unburned fuel), as well as heat (global warming), vibration and noise. By introducing the HHO gas, approximately 70% of the available potential of the petrol or diesel is attained. The carbon vaporises at 3000 Celsius, resulting in a massive reduction in emissions and particulates. There is also another reason why this gas works so well in an internal combustion engine. The Hydrogen, being the smallest particle in nature, hits a droplet of fuel, cuts it into smaller droplets and attaches themselves to the smaller droplets. Now the finer, hydrogen-enhanced fuel mist is capable of burning more thoroughly.
Q. HOW MUCH WILL I SAVE?
A. This is a difficult one as each vehicle is different and each person drives differently. You will see an improvement of between 15% and 70% (we have heard of certain vehicles in the US obtaining 250%, obviously they only did a handful of miles to the gallon in the beginning (and may be open to exaggeration!). The average is 20 - 50% improvement in MPG. We try not to give over zealous claims so not to disappoint our customers. Most people are extremely pleased with the results.
Q. HOW LONG DOES THE EQUIPMENT LAST?
A. We would hope for the life of your vehicle. However, it is early days yet and we do not have decades of data to work with. Vehicles we fitted many years ago are still going strong and no signs of fatigue as yet. There are no moving parts to replace. The fuel cell comes with a 48-month warranty.
Q. WHY DOES IT COST MORE THE LARGER THE ENGINE
A. Because you need more plates (surface area) and more gas production which comes with more demand. Obviously the larger engines need more production of gas. Also bus and truck systems require 24 volt electrical systems.
Q. IS THIS PROVEN TECHNOLOGY?
A. This technology has been around for approximately 100 years but only now that the price of fuel is escalating has it had the innovation and financial backing it needs to develop. We are researching and developing our products constantly. However, now we are only making minor improvements on the basic simple principle. Evolutionary technology not revolutionary. The ultimate goal is to have more HHO and only the smallest amount of fossil fuel needed.
Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIT?
A. It depends on the vehicle but somewhere between 2 and 5 hours (car to Articulated lorry) on average.
Q. WILL IT AFFECT MY INSURANCE OR WARRANTY?
A. This is a fuel enhancement system and, because it’s semi-permanent, is not considered to be a permanent modification (it’s classed as no different to putting a high octane fuel in the tank). Conditions that may void a vehicle’s warranty are specified in a law called the Moss-Magnusson Act. This Act stipulates that a warranty supplier cannot void a warranty because a vehicle is fitted with aftermarket parts. The Moss Magnusson act covers the USA. However it was the basis for the European Law passed in 2003. In October 2003, European Union legislation affecting the motor trade came into force. Its full title is 'Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002' (in short 'BER'). BER was bought in to close the loopholes that the warranty companies were using to get out of paying warranties to their customers. Even in extreme cases. of aftermarket wheels voiding an engine warranty!!
Our system is classed as a NON- permanent fuel enhancement system, like the new 'superfuels'. A permanent enhancement like a turbo would void a warranty. BER states that a warranty company has to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the HHO system directly caused the engine failure. To do this they have to commission an independent automotive engineer to do a report and pay court costs. If they were just 'trying it on' then this would not be financially viable for them. The Office of Fair Trading is on our side here also.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECLARED THAT SUCH CLAUSES IN A WARRANTY DOCUMENT WOULD REPRESENT 'AN UNJUSTIFIED RESTRICTION FOR THE CONSUMER'.
We do not modify the engine, only the fuel type. To date, we have not heard of any engine failures on vehicles running on Hydrogen as an alternative fuel. For these reasons, it should not affect the customer’s insurance premium or vehicle warranty but they must inform their insurers/warranty companies or it may invalidate their insurance/warranty. For DVLA purposes this system is classed as a dual fuel like LPG. We issue notes to our customers for DVLA, the insurance and warranty companies when the system is installed explaining the system, procedures etc. For a list of participating Insurance companies and more information please click on the arrow.

Q. DOES IT WORK WITH LPG OR BIODIESEL?
A. Because you already have the greatest gain from the LPG, the hydrogen will only make a small difference of up to approximately 10%. The biggest benefit would be lower emissions though, so it may still be beneficial. However, if used with Biodiesel, this will give greater gains in fuel economy than using normal diesel fuel due to its low octane level. it does however cure misfires and backfires which LPG are well known for.

Q.WHY DON'T ALL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS USE THE SYSTEM ON THEIR CARS?
A. We have a whole page devoted to this question. Click here.

Q.DOES THIS SYSTEM WORK WITH OTHER FUELS?
A. Our fuel cells work with any type of fuel, Petrol, Diesel, Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil, Ethanol, E85, E10, and CNG.
Q.THIS BREAKS THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT WORK?
A. A common fallacy is that it takes more energy to produce the HHO than the energy it releases. This is not true. You can produce HHO with as little as 1.5 volts DC and an amp of current. It is not only how it is done but also the way in which the HHO fuel cell is configured to permit a useful output with minimal power input. You can put 2 bare ended wires into a bucket of water with an electrolyte and produce a small quantity of HHO by putting a DC current through the wires. The principle is to produce as much HHO as possible with the least amount of electrical energy. In reality, once the HHO fuel cell has been charged up it actually acts like a wet cell battery. It holds a charge of 1.5 - 2.0 volts DC and can operate when charged with the power switch turned off, until the remaining suspended HHO gas is pulled off. The power switch is primarily used to maintain the HHO generators charge. All the electricity coming from your cars alternator is in fact, free energy. Much of it is unutilised. Now since you are taking free energy from your alternator, to produce hydrogen from water, and then thet Hydrogen is drawn into your air intake via vacuum not pumped in, you are getting free energy, from free energy. Even if it is only " 50% efficient ", it does not matter, because there was no extra power needed from the normal processes that operate the car, to obtain the Hydrogen. No matter how you put it, the net efficiency of your car increases.
Q. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT CARBON IS GOOD FOR AND ENGINE?
A. No it's very bad!. Misconceptions like this were probably put out by the oil companies and passed down from generation to generation without questioning the validity. When we combust (burn) carbon-based fuel such as all those used by petrol and diesel engines, one by-product of such combustion is carbon. That's the black soot that collects and hardens on the cylinder head, cylinder walls, pistons and valves. Carbon deposits in the combustion chamber affect engine performance by reducing fuel efficiency, loss of lubrication oil, engine knocking and overheating. Actually, it is considered that the majority of engine wear and tear is caused by friction from carbon deposits!
Another ill effect is the build up of varnish (dirt) in the fuel injectors, fuel pump and fuel lines. In these parts it appears as a brown layer that forms on all surfaces. It creates friction as the fuel passes through, and may even block small fuel passages through fuel injector nozzles.
When the fuel explodes in the cylinder, unburned carbons are forced up against the piston's upper surface and against the cylinder walls. It sticks to these surfaces - and never come off unless you take the engine apart and scrape it off (unless, of course, you're using HHO to clean it up). The inside walls of any cylinder are not smooth; they are build deliberately with "hone marks" which are tiny scratches on the
cylinder walls. These scratches are there to carry AND HOLD oil up the cylinder walls. Clean hone marks are vital for proper engine lubrication! The problem with carbon deposits, then, is not the beauty of the engine's internals, but the clogging of these tiny scratches. Assisted by the extreme heat of fuel combustion, the unburned fuel carbon transforms into a shiny, very hard coating and we get what's called "glazed cylinders". Now the oil - even the best of oils - cannot do much lubrication, missing the "hone marks" to reside in and flow through. Now we'll be getting "bypass gases" or "blow-by gases" (gases and gasoline blowing past the piston rings), simply because the rings cannot seal without lubrication. The blow-by gases get into the wrong parts of the engine, contaminate more spaces and passages (as well as the clean oil) and the engine's performance deteriorates quickly. HHO has the ability to clean carbon deposits that have already formed and hardened "forever." It not only cleans the engine, but keeps it clean ever after, resulting in smoother operation with less noise and less wear. It gives new life to "old" engines. I've seen "ancient" 21-year old cars spring back to life, feeling as young and smooth as the day they were born. The same has been reported by 18-wheel truck drivers that had more than 1 MILLION miles on their engines – they reported uniformly that their old engines “feel like new.” When you look at the changes occurring in such a vehicle, you realize that the vehicle itself wasn't junk after all – it was just very dirty inside. HHO gas wouldn't fix broken pistons either, but as far as engine life goes, it will help eliminate wear on the pistons.
Q. HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO BUYING A PETROL ELECTRIC HYBRID
A. Being green can be expensive, as any driver of a Toyota Prius can tell you. The car is a hybrid, combining a petrol engine with an electric motor that powers it at low speeds in the city and provides bursts of acceleration when needed. It is the most fuel-efficient car sold in America, but it costs upwards of $22,000 in the US and much more in the UK, a price that can wipe out the savings on fuel. One reason for the high price is that the car contains expensive batteries. Another is that the transmission system had to be completely redesigned. Theoretically we could convert the petrol side of this hybrid to run on this system but would need a shut-off valve for when it's running on the batteries. In tests we can easily beat the fuel consumption of one of these vehicles, which makes our system even more the sensible choice.
Q. WHAT IF THE WATER IN THE UNIT FREEZES IN WINTER?
A. Strangely enough it carries on working even if the electrolyte freezes. It takes very little time for the reservoir and cell to thaw as they heat up quickly. For some customers in permanently cold countries we have developed a fuel cell that will not freeze till -15 degrees and then we can add some methanol or rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, C3H7OH) to it. Start with 100ml per litre. We can advise on permamently below freezing countries.
DO NOT use antifreeze as this stops the whole process and will make the water solidify, clogging the unit. Even screen wash reduces the output by 2/3 and shoud not be used.
Q. DO I NEED TO INFORM ANYONE ELSE BEFORE OR AFTER THE INSTALLATION?
A. (UK vehicles only). You can inform the DVLA of a change of fuel type. It would now be classed as dual fuel. Please visit their website www.dvla.gov.uk for further information. Currently there is no reduction in the fund for HHO.
Q. DO I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO TURN THE UNIT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE?
A. No. We have now invented a safety device whereby the unit will not produce gas while the engine is not working.
Q. HYDROGEN HAS A LOT OF MYTHS ATTACHED TO IT. WHAT IS IT?
A. Chemical symbol H, Atomic number 1, Atomic weight 1.00794 Density 0.089g/ltr. at 0c and 1 atmosphere. Lightest and most abundant element in the universe, it makes up approx. 90% of the universe by weight. Colourless and odourless gas at 298K. Discovered in 1776 by Henry Cavendish an English Chemist and Physicist. Sir William Grove was the first person to produce Hydrogen by electrolysis he also invented the fuel cell in 1839. Hydrogen is neither more nor less intrinsically dangerous than any other gaseous fuel and there has been gas piped into houses for decades without any undue fears, there is also an increase in the amount of L.P.G. (liquid petroleum gas) and C.N.G. (compressed natural gas) vehicles on the road, paving the way for safe gas fuelled transport. Hydrogen has been and can be used safely if appropriate codes, standards, and guidelines are followed. Industry has produced, stored, transported, and used large amounts of hydrogen safely and routinely by following standard practices that have been established in the past 50 years. These practices can be emulated in non industrial uses of hydrogen to attain the same level of safety.
NOTE ON HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
This is a substance that is created in the electrolyte and can be harmful. If treated with care there is no problem. There are waste disposal services for these type of chemicals at most recycing/refuse centres now. However this chemical can easily be neutralised with the addition of other chemicals before disposal. All our installers are trained in how to handle this substance and because we are passionate about the Environment, we make sure this chemical is always disposed of safely and responsibly.