-
<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: It Seems to Work in the Real World
Despite popular hype, hydrogen fuel injection (HFI) doesn't allow a car to burn water. An HFI module breaks water down into hydrogen and oxygen, then injects the hydrogen into the engine, where it's burned with the fuel to provide supplemental energy and thereby increase fuel efficiency. A number of recent engineering studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of HFI, and as early as 1977, NASA pointed out the advantages of burning a lean hydrogen-gasoline mixture.
On the Other: Some Field Tests Have Reported Negative Results
Some automotive experts, including the senior automotive editor of Popular Mechanics, have observed no increase in fuel economy when using HFI. They point out that most HFI claims are based only on anecdotal evidence, which is ascribed to the placebo effect. That is, users see positive results because they expect to.
Bottom Line
Some experts have reported negative results when using hydrogen fuel injection. However, numerous engineering studies conducted by professional engineers have concluded that HFI is a viable method for increasing mileage by a small percentage, and users tend to agree.
Source:
SAE: Onboard Hydrogen Generation for Injection Into Internal Combustion Engines
Popular Mechanics: Water-Powered Cars--Hydrogen Electrolyzer Mod Can't Up MPGs
NASA: Emissions and Total Energy Consumption of a Multicylinder Piston Engine
More Information:
SAE: Hydrogen as a Combustion Modifier of Ethanol in Compression Ignition Engines
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC