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Electric device promises better gas efficiency
September 25, 2008
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Researchers at Temple University today said today they had developed a simple electrically charged tube, which when attached to a car’s fuel line can boost energy efficiency by as much as 20 percent.
Temple University physics professor Rongjia Tao said the charged tube is powered by the vehicle’s battery. In essence, the electrical field powered by the battery thins the fuel and reduces its viscosity (see Nano-ceramic boosts fuel efficiency).
That means smaller droplets can be injected into the engine. This process of generating small droplets leads to more efficient and cleaner combustion than a standard fuel injector, according to the researcher.
Temple University said the device has undergone six months of road testing in a diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz automobile. Results from the testing revealed the device boosted highway fuel mileage by 20 percent, from 32 miles-per-gallon to 38 mpg. On city streets, the device only provided a 12 to 15 percent gain.
Further improvements in the device could lead to even better mileage (see Driving team takes on Guinness efficiency record). What's more, the device can work in other types of internal combustion engines powered by gasoline, biodiesel and kerosene.
Researchers said there is more work to be done on the prototype device to further improve mileage yields. Temple University said it has applied for a patent on the technology. The university said Calif.-based Save The World Air has licensed the technology.
The research results were published in Energy & Fuels, a bi-monthly journal published by the American Chemical Society.
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Comments
Oxyhydrogen Device Ideas
Submitted on October 28th, 2008 by Ray (not verified)Here are some ideas to improve oxyhydrogen devices:
1. Graphite is electrically conductive and inert. Coat your electrodes with graphite paint. You can make a cell using PVC pipes, fittings, caps and reducers. Put a smaller pipe into a larger pipe. The pipes must not electrically short each other but they should be as close together as possible. Coat the pipes with graphite paint. The pipes can be dipped into the paint or the larger pipe can be capped first and then filled with paint, like a cup, then pour the paint out. The larger pipe is the container for the electrolyte and also one of the electrodes. The smaller pipe is the other electrode and also channels the gas out of the cell by drilling holes in the pipe at the top of the cell. It also permits adding water to the cell. Using a 1 inch pipe for the container, 4 cells would use less than 5 square inches of space. Electrical connections can be made with graphite glue: http://www.wireglue.us
2. Try a sulfuric acid electrolyte. Sulfuric acid is sold as a drain cleaner at hardware stores. Add the acid to the water. Do not add the water to the acid.
3. Engines get hot! Waste heat can be converted to electricity using thermoelectric modules. These can assist the alternator. Enough of them could possibly replace the need for an alternator which would amount to great savings! This counters the objections of alternator fuel consumption arguments.
4. Solar cells can also be used.
5. Experiment!
Air Pollution Solution!
Submitted on November 8th, 2008 by Ray (not verified)The answer is to capture the pollution at it's source. Industrial and domestic chimneys need to be capped and piped to a vacuum/filter capture system. Vehicles need to have their exhaust pipes routed back to the engines fresh air intake. Both systems would be closed systems with no pollution released to the air.
Electric Utility Companies
Submitted on November 23rd, 2008 by Ray (not verified)Electric utility companies should be required to install and maintain photovoltaic panels on anyone's roof. This would take the burden off of property owners and would provide much needed additional solar capacity. The property owner would pay no electric bill in exchange for the use of their roofs.
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