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<pre>Article is in translation and unfinished</pre>
 
<pre>Article is in translation and unfinished</pre>
 
[[image:wasserauto.jpg|200px|thumb]]
 
[[image:wasserauto.jpg|200px|thumb]]
A '''Water-fuelled car''' is according to supporters of [[Free Energy|free energy]] a hypothetical car that works with just water as fuel. There are no serious reports known of a successful water-fuelled car concept.
+
According to supporters of [[Free Energy|free energy]], a '''water-fuelled car''' is a hypothetical car using just water for fuel. There are no serious reports known of concept of a successful water-fuelled car.
A water-fuelled car must not be confused with hydrogen vehicles, which carry tanks of hydrogen to burn it with oxygen as fuel.
+
A water-fuelled car must not be confused with hydrogen vehicles which carry tanks of hydrogen to burn with oxygen as fuel.
  
 
==Alleged functional principle==
 
==Alleged functional principle==
 
[[image:wasserauto2.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[image:wasserauto2.jpg|thumb]]
All water-fuelled car models that were thematised so far "work" on the same principle: Carried along water is transformed using energy consuming electrolysis in hydrogen and oxygen and a normal internal combustion engine is then run with oxyhydrogen. The necessary electrical energy to create the oxyhydrogen with a small electrolysis cell is taken from the alternator and/or a car battery. Such a construction can work for some time &ndash; till the car battery is empty and all [[Oxyhydrogen]] is used up.
+
All water-fuelled car models discussed so far "work" on the same principle: By electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen under energy consumption and a normal internal combustion engine is then run on oxyhydrogen. The necessary electrical energy to create the oxyhydrogen with a small electrolysis cell is taken from the alternator and/or a car battery. Such a construction can work for a limited span of time &ndash; i.e. until the car battery has been emptied and all [[HHO|oxyhydrogen]] is used up.
  
Since the electrical energy taken from the alternator would have to surpass the engine output, the missing energy to keep the engine running for a long time has to be supplied by scientific unknown [[Esotericism|esoteric]] hypothesis. [[Space Energy]] and Neutrinos (Neutrinolysis) are under discussion in supporting circles of water-fuelled cars.
+
Since the electrical energy taken from the alternator would have to surpass the engine output, the missing energy to keep the engine running for a long time has to be supplied by ways based on [[Esotericism|esoteric]] hypotheses lacking scientific recognition. Further concepts discussed by supporters of such concepts are [[Space Energy]] and neutrinos (Neutrinolysis).
  
 
==Refitting kits for regular engines==
 
==Refitting kits for regular engines==
 
[[image:wasserauto3.jpg|Refitting kit|thumb]]
 
[[image:wasserauto3.jpg|Refitting kit|thumb]]
 
[[image:FISS2.jpg|Elektrolysis of the company FISS|thumb]]
 
[[image:FISS2.jpg|Elektrolysis of the company FISS|thumb]]
Shady profiteers sell refitting kits (e.g. at eBay) which should make it possible to convert a car with a regular combustion engine to a water-fuelled car. To allow electrolysis a chemical agent, e.g. baking powder, is added.
+
Shady profiteers sell refitting kits (e.g. at eBay) which are allegedly enables the conversion of a car with a regular combustion engine into a water-fuelled car. A chemical agent necessary to allow electrolysis, e.g. baking powder, is added.
  
The company Fiss-Management from Erfurt, Germany (damaged reputation because of a warning of the Federal Agency for Financial Market Supervision and of a Test-journal and probably a one-man-show) offers a on-board-electrolysis cell for passenger cars (2,260&nbsp;€) and trucks (9,520&nbsp;€). See also: [[Spritsparkarte]] <!-- English equivalent? -->
+
The company Fiss-Management from Erfurt, Germany (enjoying a rather damaged reputation because of a warning by the Federal Agency for Financial Market Supervision and by "Test" magazine and probably not more than a one-man-show) offers an on-board-electrolysis cell for passenger cars (2,260&nbsp;€) and trucks (9,520&nbsp;€). See also: [[Spritsparkarte]] <!-- English equivalent? -->
  
 
==Power efficiency of on-board electrolysis==
 
==Power efficiency of on-board electrolysis==
The efficiency of an alternator is usually clearly lower than the efficiency of optimized generators, moreover alternators have to provide electrical output at various and an often unfavourable rotational speed. The efficiency lies in a range of 50 to 62 percent.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternator#Automotive_alternators</ref> Optimal electrolysis at room temperature (platinum electrodes and optimal potential but not more than 14V) has a maximal efficiency of &asymp;60%. Appliance of special high temperature electrolysis at about 800 degrees allows to reach up to 98% efficiency. For simple electrolysis cells, which are sold as extensions, it is about 30%. The efficiency of creating hydrogen with gasoline as fuel is therefore approximately 8%-20%. Using oxyhydrogen as fuel(Brown's Gas) for the engine does not give 100% either but is similar to the efficiency of using gasoline. Otto-motors reach only a power efficiency of about 30-40%. Moreover problems arise due to a higher combustion temperature of hydrogen and connected to it a higher emission of nitric oxides.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasserstoffwirtschaft</ref>.
+
The efficiency of an alternator is usually clearly lower than the efficiency of optimized generators; additionally, alternators have to provide electrical output at various and often unfavourable rotational speeds. The efficiency ranges between 50 to 62 percent.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternator#Automotive_alternators</ref> Optimal electrolysis at room temperature (platinum electrodes and optimal potential but not more than 14V) has a maximal efficiency of &asymp;60%. Appliance of special high temperature electrolysis at about 800 degrees allows to achieve an efficiency of up to 98%. For simple electrolysis cells, sold as extensions, this rate is about a mere 30%. The efficiency of creating hydrogen with gasoline as a fuel is therefore approximately 8%-20%. Using oxyhydrogen as fuel (Brown's Gas) for the engine does not provide 100% either, but is similar to the efficiency of using gasoline. Otto engines only achieve an efficiency of about 30-40%. Moreover, further problems arise due to a higher combustion temperature of hydrogen and result in a higher emission of nitric oxides.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasserstoffwirtschaft</ref>.
  
The higher temperature also causes higher abrasion of the engine and a higher load for the cooling system; the increased need for repairs and spare parts has a negative impact on the environmental record of the system.
+
The higher temperature also causes a higher abrasion of the engine and a higher load for the cooling system; the increased need for repairs and spare parts has a negative impact on the environmental record of the system.
  
Conclusion: To try to operate a internal combustion engine with extra oxyhydrogen which is created on-board through electrolysis leads to higher fuel consumption. The more oxyhydrogen is created, the more costly it is for the driver. Running a car just with oxyhydrogen created by above device leads to 4-5 times more fuel consumption:
+
Conclusion: To try and operate an internal combustion engine with extra oxyhydrogen which is created on-board through electrolysis leads to a higher consumption of fuel. The more oxyhydrogen is created, the more expensive the system will be. Running a car just with oxyhydrogen created by above device leads to 4-5 times more fuel consumption:
  
*Kinetic energy created by gasoline combustion has efficiency < 40 %
+
* Kinetic energy created by gasoline combustion has an efficiency < 40 %
*the rotating alternator has an efficiency of less than 62%
+
* The rotating alternator has an efficiency of less than 62%
*creating hydrogen through electrolysis has an efficiency of about 60% (special, optimized electrolysis cell)
+
* Creating hydrogen through electrolysis has an efficiency of about 60% (special optimized electrolysis cell)
*Burning hydrogen with oxygen gives an efficiency < 40 %
+
* Burning hydrogen with oxygen results in an efficiency of < 40 %
  
Only about 0,4 x 0,62 x 0,6 x 0,4 = 6% (maybe 10% at max.) of the energy of the gasoline is used. Combustion of just gasoline gives an efficiency of 40% at max. Operation a car just with oxyhydrogen from the on-board electrolysis consumes at least 4 to 5 times as much. Massive usage of this principle (even mixed) would have catastrophic impact from an ecological point of view due to higher CO<sub><small>2</small></sub>-emissions and have higher costs.
+
Only about 0,4 x 0,62 x 0,6 x 0,4 = 6% (perhaps 10% at max.) of the gasoline's energy is used. Combustion of just gasoline results in an efficiency of 40% at max. Operating a car only with oxyhydrogen from the on-board electrolysis consumes at least 4 to 5 times as much. Massive usage of this principle (even mixed) would have catastrophic impacts from an ecological point of view due to higher CO<sub><small>2</small></sub> emissions and result in much higher costs.
  
A pure hydrogen operation is illusory with the offered kits since a normal alternator is not even rudimentary constructed to provide enough output for a small car: The maximal output of an alternator (for large executive cars) is about 3,000&nbsp;W which corresponds roughly to the drive train of a small scooter.
+
Achieving a pure hydrogen operation with the kits offered is illusory since a usual alternator is in no way constructed to provide enough output even for a small car: The maximum output of an alternator (for large executive cars) is about 3,000&nbsp;W which corresponds roughly to the drive train of a small scooter.
  
The external production of hydrogen gas in industrial electrolysis facilities to supply all cars would please only the nuclear energy and brown coal industry since the additionally necessary huge amounts of electrical energy cannot be provided by renewable energy sources. Problems with storing hydrogen and high losses add to this. Hydrogen can - unlike gasoline - diffuse through normal tank walls: After some time, the tank is empty...
+
Producing hydrogen gas externally in industrial electrolysis facilities to supply all cars would please only the industries producing nuclear energy and brown coal since the additional huge amounts of electrical energy necessary cannot be provided by renewable energy sources. Additionally, further problems storing hydrogen and high losses would have to be addressed: Unlike gasoline, hydrogen will diffuse through the walls of usual storage tanks, so after some time, the tank will be empty...
  
 +
Research done in USA proved that such an onboard water electrolysis does not make sense since fuel consumption increases, it does not decrease as claimed.<ref>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/how_to/4276846.html?series=19 Popular Mechanics, Artikel ''Water-Powered Cars: Hydrogen Electrolyzer Mod Can't Up MPGs'']</ref><ref>[http://www.wyff4.com/news/17036761/detail.html Greenville News Looking Out 4 You: ''Water 4 Gas Fails to Boost Mileage'']</ref><ref>[http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/CampbellLive/tabid/367/articleID/64717/cat/84/Default.aspx  Hydrogen conversion claims put to the test]</ref><ref>http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/07/water4gas.html Consumer Affairs Water4gas</ref>
  
==Clean World Energies and their H-Reaktor==
+
==Clean World Energies and their H-Reactor==
The Jülicher company [[Clean World Energies GmbH]] advertises their so called "H-Reactors" and "Super - Cubes" in Germany. They are said to decrease the fuel consumption and pollution of car engines through addition of hydrogen. The electrical energy to power their "Electrolyseur" is taken from the on-board car battery.
+
A company named [[Clean World Energies GmbH]] from the town of Jülich (Germany) advertises their so-called "H-Reactors" and "Super-Cubes" on the German market. The divices are said to decrease fuel consumption and pollution by engines by adding hydrogen. The electrical energy to power their "Electrolyser" is generated by the on-board car battery.
 
 
  
 
==Ronn Motor Company==
 
==Ronn Motor Company==
 
[[image:Ronnscorpion.jpg|left|300px|thumb]]
 
[[image:Ronnscorpion.jpg|left|300px|thumb]]
<!--
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''Ronn Motor Company'' from Texas<ref>http://www.ronnmotors.com/cms/</ref> sells the ''Scorpion'', a sports car with an alleged consumption of 6&nbsp;l/100&nbsp;km (40&nbsp;miles per gallon) for 150,000&nbsp;US-Dollars.<ref>http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/hxcms_article_513137_13987.hbs</ref> Manufacturers claim this was due to using the energy of the alternator to produce hydrogen which is then added to the air/fuel mixture and causes the alleged high mileage. The method is called H2GO.
Die Firma ''Ronn Motor Company'' aus Texas <ref>http://www.ronnmotors.com/cms/</ref> bietet für 150.000&nbsp;US-Dollar den ''Scorpion'' an, einen Sportwagen mit angeblichem Verbrauch von 6&nbsp;l/100&nbsp;km (40&nbsp;Meilen pro US-Gallone).<ref>http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/hxcms_article_513137_13987.hbs</ref> Dies sei laut Hersteller dadurch möglich, dass im Betrieb die Energie der Lichtmaschine zur zusätzlichen Erzeugung von Wasserstoff genutzt werde, der dem Treibstoff-Luftgemisch zugemischt werde und die Ursache für den angeblich geringen Benzinverbrauch sei. Die dazugehörige Technik wurde als H2GO bezeichnet.
+
 
 +
The hydrogen used, created with low efficiency through electrolysis from a small water tank of eleven liters, has to be produced while driving, increasing the consumption.<br> Ronn Motor Company announced it will offer an H2GO Hydrogen-On-Demand (HOD) system for other vehicles allowing to convert existing vehicles for 999 USD to decrease consumption and emissions. Ronn claims consumption was reduced by 20% to 25% and CO<sub><small>2</small></sub>-emission was reduced by 90%.<br>
 +
 
 +
A toy car powered by a small fuel cell is marketed with the brand name of H2GO, too.<br>
  
Der durch Elektrolyse mit geringem Wirkungsgrad aus einem zusätzlichen kleinen Wassertank von elf Litern erzeugte Wasserstoff muss im normalen Betrieb separat erzeugt werden, was den Benzinverbrauch erhöht.<br>Die Ronn Motor Company kündigte auch an, für andere Fahrzeuge ein H2GO Hydrogen-On-Demand (HOD) System anbieten zu wollen, mit dem vorhandene Fahrzeuge nachträglich für 999 USD ausgerüstet werden könnten, um den Treibstoffverbrauch und Abgase zu reduzieren. Laut Ronn-Angaben solle der Treibstoffverbrauch um 20% - 25% und die CO<sub><small>2</small></sub>-Emission um 90% abnehmen.<br>
 
Andererseits wird unter dem Markennamen H2GO auch ein Spielzeugauto vermarktet, das mit einer kleinen Brennstoffzelle funktioniert.<br>
 
-->
 
 
==Genepax==
 
==Genepax==
 
[[image:genepax.jpg|Genepax-Auto|thumb]][[image:haug_genepax.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[image:genepax.jpg|Genepax-Auto|thumb]][[image:haug_genepax.jpg|thumb]]
<!--
+
In June 2008, a Japanese company by the name of ''Genepax Water Energy System'' presented an electric ''water-fuel car'' (Reva) claiming it could be operated by water and air only and needed no more than one litre of water from any water source for a one hour drive at 80&nbsp;kms/h. Genepax did not reveal the exact nature of the energy source and manufacturers just refer to an unspecified "energy generator" for its Water Energy System (WES), which allegedly is able to split hydrogen from water using some kind of metal hydride and a "chemical reaction". Hydrogen gas is then used as fuel.
Die japanische Firma ''Genepax Water Energy System'' führte im Juni 2008 der Öffentlichkeit ein elektrisch betriebenes Automobil ''water-fuel car'' (Reva) vor, von dem sie behauptete, es würde allein durch Wasser und Luft betrieben und brauche für eine einstündige Fahrt bei 80&nbsp;km/h nur einen Liter Wasser aus einer beliebigen Wasserquelle. Die genaue Art der Energiequelle wird von Genepax nicht genannt und der Hersteller verweist bei seinem Water Energy System (WES) nur ungenau auf einen "Energiegenerator", der in der Lage sei, mit Hilfe eines Metallhydrids und einer "chemical reaction" Wasserstoff aus Wasser abzutrennen. Wasserstoffgas dient dann letztendlich als Brennstoff.
+
 
 +
The product of the reaction is again water. This principle makes it a [[Perpetual Motion|perpetual motion]] device. With alkali metals (sodium), hydrogen may be won from water: Unfortunately, this would not only set free hydrogen; but oxygen will be bound to the metal and cannot be used. During operation, the metal hydrid will be used up and serve as the actual energy source. It has to be created by using energy. The car therefore is not powered by some miraculous energy from water, it is powered by a primary battery.<ref>http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=120&a=7157</ref> Professional journals like ''Popular Mechanics'' commented upon the alleged miracle car with "rubbish"<ref>http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4271579.html</ref>, while scientific circles ignored it. The website genepax.co.jp was abandoned in February 2009. [[Matthes Haug]] still advertises Genepax as a car which ''runs with water''.
 +
 
 +
==Water-powered car by Daniel Dingel==
 +
[[image:Dingel1.jpg|Auto-Bild-Article on Dingel|thumb]]
 +
A tinkerer and con man named Daniel Dingel from Manila [http://danieldingel.com/] received worldwide attention when he brought up a "water-powered" car. Dingel claimed his Toyota Corolla was powered by the energy of imploding compressed ether energy. As a result, even reporters of journal Auto-Bild (a German car journal) travelled to the Philippines to report on the scam.
  
Das Reaktionsprodukt sei wiederum Wasser. Somit wäre das Prinzip ein [[Perpetuum Mobile]]. Auch mit Alkalimetallen (Natrium) kann Wasserstoff aus Wasser erzeugt werden: Allerdings wird dabei nur Wasserstoff frei; der Sauerstoff wird an das Metall gebunden und kann nicht genutzt werden. Im Betrieb wird das Metallhydrid verbraucht und stellt den eigentlichen Energieträger dar. Es muss unter Energieaufwand hergestellt werden. Daher handelt es sich bei diesem Auto nicht um ein Fahrzeug, das auf irgendeine wundersame Weise Energie aus Wasser gewinnt, sondern das mit einer Art Primärzellen-Batterie betrieben wird<ref>http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=120&a=7157</ref>. In Fachzeitschriften wie ''Popular Mechanics'' wurde das angebliche Wunderauto als "Unsinn" bezeichnet<ref>http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4271579.html</ref> und in der Fachwelt nicht weiter beachtet. Im Februar 2009 stellte die Firma ihre Webseite genepax.co.jp ein. Von [[Matthes Haug]] wird Genepax nach wie vor als Auto beworben, das ''mit Wasser fahre''.
+
In December 2008 news reports announced Dingel, by now 82 year old, had been sentenced to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment by Parañaque City Regional Trial Court for fraud (''estafa''). He was also sentenced to pay 380.000&nbsp;Dollars in damages.<ref>http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081220-179008/Inventor-82-gets-20-years-for-estafa</ref> Dingel, who claimed he was not interested in money, had taken 410.000&nbsp;Dollars from a Dr.&nbsp;John Ding Young of Taiwanese Formosa Plastics Group in 2000, allegedly to continue research on his method. But Dingel was not able to present a "hydrogen generator" and three working cars. After receiving the money, Dingel no longer responded to emails but presented alleged higher offers from competing companies. He claimed he did not want to cooperate with Formosa Plastics Group anymore since he feared for his life. He referred to an inventor named Stan Meyer who was allegedly poisoned by the oil industry in 1998. When the charges against him became known publically, he drew 375.603&nbsp;Dollar from the bank account opnened for the deposits. The Philippine ''Department of Science and Technology'' called his alleged invention a ''hoax''.<ref>[...]The Department of Science and Technology has dismissed Dingel’s invention as a hoax. Source: INQUIRER, [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081220-179008/Inventor-82-gets-20-years-for-estafa]</ref>
-->
 
==Wasserauto nach Daniel Dingel==
 
[[image:Dingel1.jpg|Auto-Bild-Article about Dingel|thumb]]
 
<!--
 
Ein Bastler und Hochstapler namens Daniel Dingel aus Manila [http://danieldingel.com/] machte durch ein von ihm ins Gespräch gebrachtes "wasserbetriebenes" Auto weltweit auf sich aufmerksam. Nach Dingel solle sein Toyota Corolla mit der Energie von Implosionen komprimierter Äther-Energie fahren. In der Folge reisten selbst Reporter der Zeitschrift Auto-Bild auf die Philippinen, um über den Schwindel zu berichten.
 
  
Im Dezember 2008 wurde indes bekannt, dass der mittlerweile 82-jährige Daniel Dingel vom Parañaque City Regional Trial Court wegen Betruges (''estafa'') zu einer maximal möglichen Haftstrafe von 20&nbsp;Jahren verurteilet wurde. Des Weiteren muß er 380.000&nbsp;Dollar Schadenersatz leisten.<ref>http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081220-179008/Inventor-82-gets-20-years-for-estafa</ref> Dingel, der vorgibt, an Geld nicht interessiert zu sein, hatte zuvor im Jahre 2000 nachweislich 410.000&nbsp;Dollar von einem Dr.&nbsp;John Ding Young einer taiwanesischen Formosa Plastics Group entgegengenommen, die damit Forschungen zu seinem Schwindel finanzieren wollte. Dingel war jedoch nicht in der Lage, wie versprochen einen "Wasserstoff-Generator" und drei damit funktionstüchtige Fahrzeuge zu präsentieren. Nach Gelderhalt meldete sich Dingel nicht mehr in Emails, sondern präsentierte angebliche höhere Angebote konkurrierender Unternehmen. Auch wolle er nicht mehr mit dem Unternehmen zusammenarbeiten, da er um sein Leben fürchte. Dabei bezog er sich auf einen Erfinder namens Stan Meyer, der angeblich 1998 von der Ölindustrie vergiftet worden sein soll. Als die Anklage gegen ihn bekannt wurde, hob er laut Urteil 375.603&nbsp;Dollar von seinem Konto ab, auf dem zuvor die Einzahlungen eingegangen waren. Das philippinische ''Department of Science and Technology'' bezeichnete inzwischen seine Erfindung als ''hoax''<ref>[...]The Department of Science and Technology has dismissed Dingel’s invention as a hoax. Quelle: INQUIRER, [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081220-179008/Inventor-82-gets-20-years-for-estafa]</ref>.
 
-->
 
 
==Weblinks==
 
==Weblinks==
 
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water-fuelled_car
 
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water-fuelled_car

Latest revision as of 09:28, 17 July 2017

Article is in translation and unfinished
Wasserauto.jpg

According to supporters of free energy, a water-fuelled car is a hypothetical car using just water for fuel. There are no serious reports known of concept of a successful water-fuelled car. A water-fuelled car must not be confused with hydrogen vehicles which carry tanks of hydrogen to burn with oxygen as fuel.

Alleged functional principle

Wasserauto2.jpg

All water-fuelled car models discussed so far "work" on the same principle: By electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen under energy consumption and a normal internal combustion engine is then run on oxyhydrogen. The necessary electrical energy to create the oxyhydrogen with a small electrolysis cell is taken from the alternator and/or a car battery. Such a construction can work for a limited span of time – i.e. until the car battery has been emptied and all oxyhydrogen is used up.

Since the electrical energy taken from the alternator would have to surpass the engine output, the missing energy to keep the engine running for a long time has to be supplied by ways based on esoteric hypotheses lacking scientific recognition. Further concepts discussed by supporters of such concepts are Space Energy and neutrinos (Neutrinolysis).

Refitting kits for regular engines

Refitting kit
Elektrolysis of the company FISS

Shady profiteers sell refitting kits (e.g. at eBay) which are allegedly enables the conversion of a car with a regular combustion engine into a water-fuelled car. A chemical agent necessary to allow electrolysis, e.g. baking powder, is added.

The company Fiss-Management from Erfurt, Germany (enjoying a rather damaged reputation because of a warning by the Federal Agency for Financial Market Supervision and by "Test" magazine and probably not more than a one-man-show) offers an on-board-electrolysis cell for passenger cars (2,260 €) and trucks (9,520 €). See also: Spritsparkarte

Power efficiency of on-board electrolysis

The efficiency of an alternator is usually clearly lower than the efficiency of optimized generators; additionally, alternators have to provide electrical output at various and often unfavourable rotational speeds. The efficiency ranges between 50 to 62 percent.[1] Optimal electrolysis at room temperature (platinum electrodes and optimal potential but not more than 14V) has a maximal efficiency of ≈60%. Appliance of special high temperature electrolysis at about 800 degrees allows to achieve an efficiency of up to 98%. For simple electrolysis cells, sold as extensions, this rate is about a mere 30%. The efficiency of creating hydrogen with gasoline as a fuel is therefore approximately 8%-20%. Using oxyhydrogen as fuel (Brown's Gas) for the engine does not provide 100% either, but is similar to the efficiency of using gasoline. Otto engines only achieve an efficiency of about 30-40%. Moreover, further problems arise due to a higher combustion temperature of hydrogen and result in a higher emission of nitric oxides.[2].

The higher temperature also causes a higher abrasion of the engine and a higher load for the cooling system; the increased need for repairs and spare parts has a negative impact on the environmental record of the system.

Conclusion: To try and operate an internal combustion engine with extra oxyhydrogen which is created on-board through electrolysis leads to a higher consumption of fuel. The more oxyhydrogen is created, the more expensive the system will be. Running a car just with oxyhydrogen created by above device leads to 4-5 times more fuel consumption:

  • Kinetic energy created by gasoline combustion has an efficiency < 40 %
  • The rotating alternator has an efficiency of less than 62%
  • Creating hydrogen through electrolysis has an efficiency of about 60% (special optimized electrolysis cell)
  • Burning hydrogen with oxygen results in an efficiency of < 40 %

Only about 0,4 x 0,62 x 0,6 x 0,4 = 6% (perhaps 10% at max.) of the gasoline's energy is used. Combustion of just gasoline results in an efficiency of 40% at max. Operating a car only with oxyhydrogen from the on-board electrolysis consumes at least 4 to 5 times as much. Massive usage of this principle (even mixed) would have catastrophic impacts from an ecological point of view due to higher CO2 emissions and result in much higher costs.

Achieving a pure hydrogen operation with the kits offered is illusory since a usual alternator is in no way constructed to provide enough output even for a small car: The maximum output of an alternator (for large executive cars) is about 3,000 W which corresponds roughly to the drive train of a small scooter.

Producing hydrogen gas externally in industrial electrolysis facilities to supply all cars would please only the industries producing nuclear energy and brown coal since the additional huge amounts of electrical energy necessary cannot be provided by renewable energy sources. Additionally, further problems storing hydrogen and high losses would have to be addressed: Unlike gasoline, hydrogen will diffuse through the walls of usual storage tanks, so after some time, the tank will be empty...

Research done in USA proved that such an onboard water electrolysis does not make sense since fuel consumption increases, it does not decrease as claimed.[3][4][5][6]

Clean World Energies and their H-Reactor

A company named Clean World Energies GmbH from the town of Jülich (Germany) advertises their so-called "H-Reactors" and "Super-Cubes" on the German market. The divices are said to decrease fuel consumption and pollution by engines by adding hydrogen. The electrical energy to power their "Electrolyser" is generated by the on-board car battery.

Ronn Motor Company

Ronnscorpion.jpg

Ronn Motor Company from Texas[7] sells the Scorpion, a sports car with an alleged consumption of 6 l/100 km (40 miles per gallon) for 150,000 US-Dollars.[8] Manufacturers claim this was due to using the energy of the alternator to produce hydrogen which is then added to the air/fuel mixture and causes the alleged high mileage. The method is called H2GO.

The hydrogen used, created with low efficiency through electrolysis from a small water tank of eleven liters, has to be produced while driving, increasing the consumption.
Ronn Motor Company announced it will offer an H2GO Hydrogen-On-Demand (HOD) system for other vehicles allowing to convert existing vehicles for 999 USD to decrease consumption and emissions. Ronn claims consumption was reduced by 20% to 25% and CO2-emission was reduced by 90%.

A toy car powered by a small fuel cell is marketed with the brand name of H2GO, too.

Genepax

Genepax-Auto
Haug genepax.jpg

In June 2008, a Japanese company by the name of Genepax Water Energy System presented an electric water-fuel car (Reva) claiming it could be operated by water and air only and needed no more than one litre of water from any water source for a one hour drive at 80 kms/h. Genepax did not reveal the exact nature of the energy source and manufacturers just refer to an unspecified "energy generator" for its Water Energy System (WES), which allegedly is able to split hydrogen from water using some kind of metal hydride and a "chemical reaction". Hydrogen gas is then used as fuel.

The product of the reaction is again water. This principle makes it a perpetual motion device. With alkali metals (sodium), hydrogen may be won from water: Unfortunately, this would not only set free hydrogen; but oxygen will be bound to the metal and cannot be used. During operation, the metal hydrid will be used up and serve as the actual energy source. It has to be created by using energy. The car therefore is not powered by some miraculous energy from water, it is powered by a primary battery.[9] Professional journals like Popular Mechanics commented upon the alleged miracle car with "rubbish"[10], while scientific circles ignored it. The website genepax.co.jp was abandoned in February 2009. Matthes Haug still advertises Genepax as a car which runs with water.

Water-powered car by Daniel Dingel

Auto-Bild-Article on Dingel

A tinkerer and con man named Daniel Dingel from Manila [2] received worldwide attention when he brought up a "water-powered" car. Dingel claimed his Toyota Corolla was powered by the energy of imploding compressed ether energy. As a result, even reporters of journal Auto-Bild (a German car journal) travelled to the Philippines to report on the scam.

In December 2008 news reports announced Dingel, by now 82 year old, had been sentenced to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment by Parañaque City Regional Trial Court for fraud (estafa). He was also sentenced to pay 380.000 Dollars in damages.[11] Dingel, who claimed he was not interested in money, had taken 410.000 Dollars from a Dr. John Ding Young of Taiwanese Formosa Plastics Group in 2000, allegedly to continue research on his method. But Dingel was not able to present a "hydrogen generator" and three working cars. After receiving the money, Dingel no longer responded to emails but presented alleged higher offers from competing companies. He claimed he did not want to cooperate with Formosa Plastics Group anymore since he feared for his life. He referred to an inventor named Stan Meyer who was allegedly poisoned by the oil industry in 1998. When the charges against him became known publically, he drew 375.603 Dollar from the bank account opnened for the deposits. The Philippine Department of Science and Technology called his alleged invention a hoax.[12]

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