Hydrogen Enhanced Combustion Engine - replace ICE?

[Eric Nothman]

This technology promises 20%-30% theoretical improvement in milage, plus two orders of magnitude reduction in NOx. MIT researchers labored over this technology for more than 10 years and now ArvinMeritor has exclusive rights. This small onboard plasma fuel reformer produces hydrogen from gasoline with a small device that other stories indicate may cost as little as $300.00. It sounds like science fiction - but it is not. Coupling it with a hybrid could be impressive.

Here is the link ==> http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...enenhance.html

[tideland_raj]

Originally posted by Eric Nothman@Nov 8 2005, 02:53 AM
This technology promises 20%-30% theoretical improvement in milage, plus two orders of magnitude reduction in NOx. MIT researchers labored over this technology for more than 10 years and now ArvinMeritor has exclusive rights. This small onboard plasma fuel reformer produces hydrogen from gasoline with a small device that other stories indicate may cost as little as $300.00. It sounds like science fiction - but it is not. Coupling it with a hybrid could be impressive.

Here is the link ==> http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...enenhance.html

[snapback]152403[/snapback]

Toyota took a great leap in creating a hybrid, and I'm sure that advances like these will only help to push the envelope.
However, I don't see these going into current hybrids due to the massive integration the current hybrids have with their ICE (ie, emissions control, timing/pressure issues, etc) without a redesign.

What we all have to remember is that Auto manufacturers (esp. from Detroit) do NOT want to make seriously efficient cars. They don't believe it's in their interests to do so, since they currently believe that efficiency and low emissions are only "features" that potential car purchases would want to buy (including power, safety, and member-enhancement aka "one upping your neighbor")

I'm sure that you and I don't believe that, but they have been used to the petro-food-chain for so long that it will take the consumers to pull them kicking and screaming into the brave new world of efficient, green vehicles.

I do however, see that this hydrogen-enhanced motor might be a good thing for car manufacturers who don't want to go "hybrid" yet still have efficient ICE-based cars ("Hydrogen" is also a great marketing buzzword, might even trump "Hybrid").

[usbseawolf2000]

This might be the silver bullet that Diesel need to clean up NOx. Is it me or HSD badge looks like a silver bullet, literally. I know they combined H and D with the S in blue paint.