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.

Diesel Fuel Quality

Diesel Fuel Quality

The designs of diesel engines striving to increase
performance have made a lot of advancements in engine
fuel delivery to the combustion chamber.  The diesel
engines of today are much quieter, smoother, and
also more powerful.  The quality of diesel fuel on
the other hand has not advanced at the same rate as
the improvements of engines.

As soon as it is produced, diesel fuel begins to
deteriorate.  Less than 30 days of refining, all
diesel fuel, regardless of the brand, goes through a
natural process called oxidation.  This process forms
varnishes and gums in the fuel by causing the
molecules of the fuel to lengthen and start bonding
together.

Now, these components will drop to the bottom of the
fuel tank and form diesel sludge.  The fuel will
begin to turn very dark in color, smell bad, and
cause the engine to smoke.  The engine starts to
smoke as some of these clusters are small enough to
pass through the engine filtration and on to the
combustion chamber.

As the clusters begin to increase in size, only a
small amount of the molecules will get burned, as
the rest will go out the exhaust as unburned fuel
and smoke.

Its estimated that eight out of every ten diesel
engine failures are directly related to poor quality
and contaminated fuel.  The build up of contamination
in the fuel systems and storage tanks can clog
filters, thereby causing the engine to shut down,
and damage to the engine to occur.

The number one reason for bad fuel is due to the
increasing popularity of diesel power and the
accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel.
Long ago, diesel fuel remained in the refinery
storage tanks long enough to naturally seperate and
begin to settle, allowing the clean fuel to be
drawn apart.  Now, with the demand getting higher
than ever, the fuel is never stationary long enough
to settle, and the suspended water and solids are
passed on to the person buying the fuel - you.

The changes in refinery techniques is also a
problem.  In order to get more products, diesel
fuel is being refined for more marginal portions of
the crude barrel.  This results in a lower grade
product that is thicker and also contains a lot
more contamination.

As time continues to pass and technology gets better
and better, one can only hope that the quality of
diesel fuel improves.  As it stands now, the quality
isn't good at all.  If you run diesel fuel, all
you can basically hope for is that the fuel you
are getting isn't contaminated.

Diesel Or Not

Diesel Or Not

Diesel is often looked at as being smelly, noisy, and
many think the only place for it is in a tractor.  The
truth to diesel vehicles is that they are slow, noisy,
smelly, although they are cheaper to run than gas.

Diesel engines aren't as powerful as gas engines, as
gas engines produce more horsepower than that of a
diesel engine.  Diesel vehicles however, offer more
torque than gas.  Therefore, it is a very thin line as
to which one is better.

When it comes to power, diesel is the more expensive
of the two.  Diesel powered vehicles are normally more
expensive to buy than gas, and the parts are a lot
more expensive than gas vehicles.  The diesel however,
is more reliable due to it being less complicated
internally and heavier to build, therefore it normally
lasts longer than gas engines.

Economy is always a factor as well, as will fuel
prices being what they are.  Now days, it costs a
small fortune to fill up a gasoline vehicle, especially
the bigger engines.  When it comes to fuel, diesel
is generally less expensive.  You can fill up a diesel
vehicle for less of a price, and the fuel will
normally go longer than gas will.

Appearance is also important.  Diesel is generally
loud, with the exhaust emitting black smoke when the
vehicle is throttled.  You can normally tell when a
diesel pulls off by the black smoke it leaves behind.
Keep in mind, this isn't a problem with the engine,
just means that the fuel is dirtier.

Tuning is also important.  Gas engines are more
tunable than diesel, as you can get better power
increases from gas than you can with diesel.  The
major thing diesel owners tend to go for is turbo,
as it is one sure way to match gasoline in terms
of power.

A turbo charged diesel can and will match a standard
gasoline engine for power, if not slightly better it
a bit.  This is why most diesel cars come turbo
charged, as its a way to keep up with the modern
diesel engines of today.

When it comes to making the choice, you really have
to choose what is best for you and your needs.  If
you want power with plenty of tuning options, then
gasoline engines are what you want.  On the other
hand, if you want power and torque, then a diesel
vehicle is what you want.

The choices are entirely up to you, as there are
certainly plenty to choose from.  Always check out
the vehicle you are interested in, and find out
if it will match your needs.  Before you know it,
you'll have a diesel or gas vehicle that will perform
well beyond your expectations.

Diesel And Gas Prices

Diesel And Gas Prices

Over the years, the prices of both gas and diesel
have experienced some drastic changes.  Many years
ago, the price of gas was around a dollar or a
little more, nothing like it is today.  Back then,
gas wasn't high in price although the demand for
vehicles wasn't what it is today either.

As the demand for vehicles grew, the demand for
fuel grew as well.  Other actions and events have
played into the equation as well, resulting in
the rising costs of fuel.  Fuel is something we
all need to run our vehicles, as we wouldn't be
able to go anywhere without it.

As you may know, a majority of the gas we get at
local gas stations comes from overseas, primarily
the Middle East.  Therefore, we have to pay taxes
and such on the gas we use, which pays for the
gas as well as the shipping.  If we got our gas
from within the United States, one can't help
but wonder whether or not the prices would indeed
be lower.

Diesel on the other hand, has always managed
to keep a price lower than gas.  Diesel comes
from within the United States, so the prices are
of course going to be lower.  The only problem
associated with diesel fuel is locating it, as
many gas stations don't sell it.

When it comes to the choice between the two,
diesel fuel is obviously cheaper to buy.  Gas is
in supply more, which means that you can find
it almost anywhere.  If you own a gasoline
vehicle, you obviously don't want to put diesel
in it.  If you own a diesel vehicle, then you
of course wouldn't want to put gas in it either.

Advantages Of Diesel Engines

Advantages Of Diesel Engines

If you've owned a diesel powered vehicle in the
past or if you own one now, you no doubt appreciate
the qualities this engine provides you with.  More
torque, better fuel economy, and easier maintenance
are but a few of the attributes of owning diesel
powered vehicles.  

However, there are some motorists that still
complain about the engine's weak power, especially
when accelerating from a full stop.  What you
may not be aware of is the fact that a diesel 
engine can be tweaked to give more power without
harming the fuel economy.  

Diesel engines use air compression to create
combustion versus the fuel/air mixture that is
required by gas engines.  This attribute means
that diesel engines don't require spark plugs 
and therefore don't need to be tuned up.

Diesel fuel has a much high fuel density than
gas, which results in fuel economy increases
of 20 - 30% over gasoline powered vehicles.

Diesel engines are also cheaper to maintain as
they have less parts than that of a gasoline
powered engine.  The life span of a diesel
engine is also much longer.

If you're looking for torque, for pulling a 
boat or other equipment, then the diesel 
engine has the supreme advantage.  Diesel
engines are surely slower, especially when
starting from a dead stop, although when you
climb hills or go over bridges, the diesel
engine is surely up to the task.

With trucks, diesel is normally the leader
over gas engines in terms of performance and
miles per gallon.  Diesel trucks will get 
more miles than gas trucks, and the price for
diesel is a bit cheaper than gas these days.
And with gas prices on the rise, diesel will
continue to dominate for a long time to come.