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Hydrogen fuel enhancement is the process of using a mixture of hydrogen and conventional hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine, typically in a car or truck, in an attempt to improve fuel economy, power output, or both. Methods include hydrogen produced through an electrolysis, storing hydrogen on the vehicle as a second fuel, or reforming conventional fuel into hydrogen with a catalyst. There has been a great deal of research into fuel mixtures, such as gasoline and nitrous oxide injection. Mixtures of hydrogen and hydrocarbons are no exception.〔''NASA Technical Note'', May 1977, "(Emissions and Total Energy Consumption of a Multicylinder Piston Engine Running on Gasoline and a Hydrogen–Gasoline Mixture )" (Accessed 2008-08-08)〕〔(Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles ) Idaho National Laboratory〕〔Tsolakis A, Megaritis A, Wyszynski ML, "Application of exhaust gas fuel reforming in compression ignition engines fueled by diesel and biodiesel fuel mixtures" Energy & Fuels 17 (6): 1464–1473 NOV-DEC 2003.〕 These sources say that contamination from exhaust gases has been reduced in all cases, and they suggest that a small efficiency increases is sometimes possible. Many of these sources also suggest that modifications to the engine's air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, emissions control systems, electronic control systems and possibly other design elements, might be required in order to obtain any significant results. A modified vehicle in this way may not pass mandatory anti-smog controls.〔(Water-Powered Cars: Hydrogen Electrolyzer Mod Can't Up MPGs ), Mike Allen, August 7, 2008, Popularmechanics.com〕 Due to the inherent complexity of these subsystems, a necessity of modern engine design and emissions standards, such claims made by proponents of hydrogen fuel enhancement are difficult to substantiate and always disputed. To date, hydrogen fuel enhancement products have not been specifically addressed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as no research devices or commercial products have reports available as per the "Motor Vehicle Aftermarket Retrofit Device Evaluation Program."〔(See list of devices tested under EPA Gas Saving and Emission Reduction Devices Evaluation )〕 They do, however, point out that installation of such devices often involves illegally tampering with an automobile's emissions control system, which could result in significant fines.〔US Environmental Protection Agency, ("Devices and Additives to Improve Fuel Economy and Reduce Pollution - Do They Really Work?" )〕 Environment Canada does have a research paper on the subject. In tests done in their laboratory in 2004 they found no improvement in engine efficiency or fuel economy.〔(P.J. 2004. Study of Heavy Duty Vehicle Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Consumption with the use of a JetStar™ Hydrogen Gas Generator. Environment Canada, ERMD Report No. 2004-32v2 )〕 ==Electrolysis== Hydrogen fuel enhancement from electrolysis (utilizing automotive alternators) has been promoted for use with gasoline-powered and diesel trucks,〔(Business Name )〕〔(Wired magazine: Truckers Choose Hydrogen Power )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=GreenChek Technology corporate website )〕 although electrolysis-based designs have repeatedly failed efficiency tests and contradict widely accepted laws of thermodynamics (i.e. conservation of energy). Proponents, who sell the units (often called "HHO devices"), claim that the dynamics are often misconstrued, and due to the chemical properties of the resulting mixture, it is possible to gain efficiency increases in a manner that does not violate any scientific laws. Many tests by consumer watch groups have shown negative results. This technique may seem appealing to some at first because it is easy to overlook energy losses in the system as a whole. Those unfamiliar with electrodynamics may not realize that the electrolytic cell drains current from a car's electrical system causing an increase in mechanical resistance in the alternator that will always result in a net power reduction.〔〔(Greenville News Looking Out 4 You: Water 4 Gas Fails to Boost Mileage ) 〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Hydrogen conversion claims put to the test - Video )〕 〔http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/07/water4gas.html Consumer Affairs Water4gas〕 Since it requires more energy to separate hydrogen from oxygen than would be gained from burning the hydrogen produced in this method, the concept of such a device is often stated to be in direct violation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics.〔(Genepax Water Car: Too Good to be True? Yeah )〕〔Professor doubts water car claims – A leading alternative fuels expert throws water on Japanese company claims that it's developed the world's first car powered by just water. Professor Theodosios Korakianitis at Queen Mary University of London says water by itself would not be enough to get your car going. ()〕〔http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/report/Guidelines-H2-Fuel-in-CMVs-Nov2007.pdf〕 Monetary prizes have been offered to sellers or promoters of these devices to demonstrate their claims of increased fuel economy are true, with very few sellers taking the challenges and no device passing the challenges. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hydrogen fuel enhancement」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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