Hydrogen Boosted Gas Engines

Hydrogen Boosted Gas Engines

With the ever increasing cost of gasoline prices,
auto makers are having to work overtime to cost
effictively improve the fuel economy, while still
meeting the strict emission requirements of today
with gasoline engines.

One ideal and promising way to boost the fuel
economy of gas engines is to add hydrogen to the
fuel/air mixture in the engine.  Since hydrogen
isn't available at the local gas station, selling
a hydrogen boosted gas engine wasn't on the list
of engines - until now.

Lack of emission
A major cost and environmental advantage to hydrogen
boosted gas engines are low amounts of NOx emission
gas, which will completely eliminate the need for
external NOx emissions control.  Currently, NOx
emissions control is a major cost problem for diesel
engines which use expensive traps to meet the
emission standards.  Diesel engines particulate
emissions that must be collected by a filter that
should be changed periodically.

Hydrogen boosted engines on the other hand require
neither NOx or particulate control and require only
a low cost oxidation catalyst to control very small
amounts of exhaust which is formed mostly during
the engine starting up and warming up.  Additional
cuts in emissions control requirements stem from
the engine's ability to use only the clean hydrogen
enriched charge during the cold start phase when
90% of emissions are generated in the emission test.

Cost
The hydrogen boost system is effectively a bolt
on technology that can be added to an existing
vehicle's engine compartment.  According to those
developing the system, the cost of the system is
less than half of the added cost for diesel.

The future
Prototype hydrogen boosted engines are now be
installed in test SUV vehicles that have
sufficient space for the reformer and it's related
system.  The start of long term road testing
for performance, reliability, and durability
information is planned for later on in the year
before the system goes further into development.

Four cylinder gasoline engines will likely be the
prime candidates for the technology as high gas
prices continue to generate competition among the
higher fuel economy models that seek MPG
leadership.

With gas prices getting higher and higher, hydrogen
boosted gas engines offer you the chance to get
more miles per gallon and not have to worry about
burning up all of your fuel.  Instead of having to
go out and buy a diesel to conserve fuel, hydrogen
boosted units will help you preserve gas.

Even though they aren't available to buy right now,
they will be very soon.  Many manufacturers are
looking into them, as they offer gasoline engines
something like never before.  If you own a gas
powered vehicle and have thought of giving it up
to go diesel, you might want to think again - as
hydrogen boost units may change the world of gas
engines forever.

Gas Saving Tips

Gas Saving Tips

Are you tired of the continuing rise in gasoline price?
If you are, you're not alone.  In this article, you'll
find a few excellent tips designed to help you save
a bit of your hard earned money.

First, its always best to purchase your gas either
first thing in the morning or late at night.  The
reason for this is because gas is denser at a cold
temperature, so you'll basically be getting more for
your money.

Secondly, check your local gas prices to find the
best price available.  You can check your local gas
prices online as well, which will prevent you from
wasting gas while driving around to look for the
best price.

By keeping your car well maintained, you can help
improve fuel consumption.  By simply tuning your car,
you can decrease your fuel consumption by up to 20
percent.  Also, you should keep your tires properly
inflated and aligned.  Tires that are under inflated
will cause fuel consumption to increase by 6 percent.
You should also make sure that you change your oil
and air filters on a regular basis as well.

Other tips to keep in mind are to drive by staying
in the posted speed limits, as the faster you drive
you will use more fuel.  Whenever possible you should
use overdrive, as this will help fuel and also
improve the wear on your engine.  You can also
combine your errands by making a list of things that
you have to do, as the more you cold start your
engine, the more fuel you'll be using.

By taking the time to do these tips, you'll be
amazed at just how much fuel you can save.  Gas
prices are becoming ridiculous these days, which
is why you want to do your part to converse little
drop that you can.

Why You Should Choose Diesel

Why You Should Choose Diesel

The major distinction between diesel and gas lies in
the type of ignition.  While gas engines operate on
spark ignition, diesel engines employ compression
ignition for igniting the fuel.  With compression, the
air is drawn into the engine and subjected to high
compression that heats it up.  The result is a very
high temperature in the engine, much high than that
of gas engines.

In diesel engines, air and fuel are both infused into
the engine at different stages, as opposed to gas
where a mixture of air and gas are introduced.  The
fuel is injected into the diesel using an injector
where in a gas engine, a carburetor is used for this
very purpose.

With gas engines, fuel and air are sent into the
engine at the same time, then compressed.  The air
and fuel mixture will limit fuel compression, and
thereby hence the overall efficiency.  Diesel engines
only compress air, and the resulting ratio can be
much higher.

Advantages
Diesel engines are much more efficient and
preferable as compared to gas engines due to the
following reasons:
1.  Diesel engines have overcome the several
disadvantages of earlier models that featured higher
noise and maintenance costs.  Now, they are quiet
and require less regular maintenance when compared
with gas engines of a similar size.
2.  Diesel engines are more rugged and reliable.
3.  There is no sparking at all as the fuel
ignites.  The absence of spark plubs or spark
wires also helps to lower maintenance cost.
4.  The fuel cost produced is 30 - 50 percent
lower than gas engine fuel prices.
5.  Gas burns hotter than diesel, and
therefore they have a shorter life span when they
are compared with diesel engines.

Diesel Versus Spark Engine Ignition

Diesel Versus Spark Engine Ignition

As you may already be aware of, diesel engines are
more efficient than gasoline engines of the same
power, resulting in much lower fuel usage.  For an
efficient turbo diesel, the average is 40% more miles
per gallon.  The higher compression ratio with
diesel engines help to raise efficiency, but diesel
fuel also contains around 15% more energy per unit
volume than gas.

Diesel engines that are naturally aspirated are far
more massive than gasoline engines of the same power
for two reasons.  First, it takes a larger capacity
diesel engine than a gas engine to produce the same
amount of power.  Essentially, this is because the
diesel can't operate as quickly.  The rev limit is
slower, because getting the correct fuel to air ratio
into a diesel engine fast enough is more difficult
than a gas engine. The second reason is due to the
fact that a diesel engine needs to be stronger to
withstand the higher combustion pressure needed for
ignition.

Diesel engines also produce very little carbon
monoxide as they burn the fuel in excess air except
at full loading capacity, where a full quantity of
fuel is injected per cycle.  They can however,
produce a black soot from the exhaust, which consists
of unburned carbon compounds.

Often times, this is caused by worn injectors, which
don't atomize the fuel sufficiently enough, or a
faulty management system that allows more fuel to be
injected that can then be burned with the available
air.

For commercial use that requires towing, diesel
engines tend to have more desirable torque.  Diesel
engines tend to have their torque peak quite low
in their speed range which provides smoother control
over heavy loads when starting from rest, crucially
allowing the engine to be given higher loads at low
speeds than a gas engine.

The lack of an electrical ignition system in diesel
engines improves the reliability.  The high durability
of diesel engines is also due to the overbuilt
nature as well as the combustion cycle, which will
create a less violent change in pressure when
compared to a gasoline type spark ignition engine.
Diesel fuel is also a better lubricant than gasoline,
so it is less harmful to the oil film on piston
rings and cylinder bores - making it routine for
diesel engines to go 250,000 miles or more without
having to be rebuilt.

For several reasons, diesel proves to be better than
spark engine ignition.  Diesel engines last a lot
longer, they offer more torque, and they are also
more reliable.  They are also more expensive as well,
although you get what you pay for.  If you have
never owned a diesel vehicle, you owe it to yourself
to see everything they offer you - and you'll find
yourself a very satisfied customer.

Diesel Vehicles

Diesel Vehicles

As you probably already know, diesel engines get
better fuel economy than gas, simply because they
don't need to burn as much fuel as gasoline engines
to get the same amount of power.  Diesel engines
are built heavier than gas engines, to help sustain
the added stress of the much higher compression
ratios.

Diesel engines don't have an ignition system either,
so you'll never have to tune them up.  The exhaust
systems will last longer as well, as the exhaust
on a diesel isn't as corrosive as an exhaust on a
gasoline engine.

With diesel engines, it isn't unusual to see them
with 400,000 or even 500,000 miles.  There are some
out there that have even went beyond 600,000 miles!

When it comes to maintenance, 3,000 mile oil changes
are a must.  Diesel fuel isn't as refined as gas,
so the oil will get dirtier faster.  You should
also replace the air and fuel filters at least
once a year.

If you live in a colder climate, you'll need to
switch to a winter blend of fuel to prevent fuel
gelling.  There are several additives that you can
put in the fuel as well, to help prevent your fuel
from getting gel.

It's also recommended that you replace the glow
plugs every two years.  If the temperature drops
below 10 degrees, a block heater is something you
should have.  This will ensure starting in cold
weather, especially with the heavy grade of oil
that a diesel engine requires.

If you take care of your diesel vehicle, you can
count on it to be around for years to come.  Unlike
gas vehicles, diesel engines are built for the
long haul, and will last you for miles and miles
if you take care of them.