They’ve cut down the size and dramatically reduced the possibility of explosions. The question is: will it work (and how expensive will it be)? Joe Williams, Sr., originally from Winnipeg, thinks his Hydrogen Generating Module (H2N-Gen) is the solution to the Kyoto Accord:
Smaller than a DVD player – small enough to sit comfortably under the hood of any truck or car – it could be big enough to solve the world’s greenhouse gas emission problems, at least for the near future. In fact, it could make the Kyoto protocol obsolete. Basically, the H2N-Gen contains a small reservoir of distilled water and other chemicals such as potassium hydroxide. [The device is added to an existing gasoline-powered engine.] A current is run from the car battery through the liquid. This process of electrolysis creates hydrogen and oxygen gases which are then fed into the engine’s intake manifold where they mix with the gasoline vapours.
It’s a scientific fact that adding hydrogen to a combustion chamber will cause a cleaner burn. The challenge has always been to find a way to get the hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber in a safe, reliable and cost-effective way.
Williams claims he has achieved this with his H2N-Gen. His product, he said, produces a more complete burn, greatly increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption by 10 to 40 per cent – and pollutants by up to 100 per cent.
I’m skeptical but hopeful.
One of the major problems of hydrogen technology involves not only its transport, but the actual isolation of the hydrogen molecule. While hydrogen is trumped as a clean burning fuel, the process required to separate the H molecule from water requires a lot of energy. As of right now, the only efficient way to get that energy is through the burning of fossil fuels- which takes us right back to the initial problem. Unless hydrogen can be isolated using a clean, renewable form of energy then its prospects for reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are dim. Hopefully solar-powered water electrolysis will soon be able to provide the energy.