For those unfamiliar with the hybrid-waterfuel concept - called
the "shandy mode" in Oz ... here is a video from down-under, using
their equivalent of a Hydrobooster (onboard electrolyzer).
Even using untreated water, this one improves mileage by nearly
50% with no loss of power.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-144759872380414977&q=water+hydrogen
It is estimated that about one thousand automobiles worldwide are
using this fairly low-tech solution now, and at least four
companies (all advertising on the net) manufacture and sell the
electrolyzers (some for exorbitant prices) in the USA/Canada alone
with others in Europe and Australia. Prices and quality vary
considerably, but it is possible to build one cheaply from stuff
bought at "Home Despot" (a favorite el-cheapo supply resource for
US tinkerers).
To complete the picture of eco-consciousness, the hydrobooster
should be attached to a small diesel engine burning "BioWillie" or
equivalent renewable (and carbon-neutral !) fuel. There is a
definite synergy between diesel and a hydrogen "pilot" ... more on
BioWillie:
http://www.physorg.com/news72750869.html
It wouldn't hurt to also add the Prius-type drive train to this
combo-hybrid. Diesels are even more efficient when run at constant
speed.
The average mileage improvement of hydroboosting - on an existing
ICE, using untreated water seems to be less than the 45% which is
claimed in this video, but there are claims of much more -
including using only waterfuel. I would settle for a doubling of
mileage as a goal - wouldn't you? alternatively - in a Prius with
a biodiesel and hydroboosting but with the same performance -
being able to raise the average mileage --> from 45 to 60 MPG
would be an achievable, short-term goal - with implications for
eliminating foreign oil altogether.
The next step in the evolution of this onboard "boosting" of
biodiesel is the electrical *pretreatment* of water. This is more
complex than it appears at first, but there is a definite
advantage. I am convinced from recent experiments that a
significant improvement is feasible using ongoing water
pretreatment, as opposed to hydroboosting with plain water.
However, this would probably demand almost a mini-factory in the
trunk to do this for longer trips.
H-Prize ahoy! ...
...and now, off to make more "firewater" or is that Preparation-H
? <g>
Jones
Speaking of "ahoy" what has happened to Knuke, and why isn't he
doing this hydrobooster thing ? - being an old Navy salt who
inadvertently witnessed the burning of seawater - in one of
Uncle's diesels - to the amazement of all... I would like to hear
that story again...
