International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 16, Number 5 (2021) pp. 340-345 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Oxyhydrogen on Spark Ignition Engines

Dr. Vivekananthan R1 and Mr. Anil K.B2 1Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Salem, India.

2PG Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Salem, India.

Abstract 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Oxyhydrogen is a gas which is formed during electrolysis of Researchers studied and found that increase in work output water. It is purely a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. It can and reduction in exhaust emissions due to the addition of influence greatly in the combustion of fuels in Internal hydrogen. Mohammad Affan Usman et al [1] studied the use Combustion engines because of its comparatively better fuel of oxyhydrogen gas four stroke petrol engines and concluded characteristics than gasoline. Since it is a gas, it can diffuse that the exhaust emissions [2]. Shivaprasad K V et al [3] faster than other gasoline fuel. When both gasoline and studied the effect of Hydrogen on combustion performance oxyhydrogen is fed into engine simultaneously, Oxyhydrogen and emission characteristics of a high-speed spark ignition ignites first then gasoline and then spreads the flame faster. engine. Their prime aim of the study was to improve the Oxyhydrogen acts as an ignition catalyst here. From the combustion characteristics and reduce polluting emissions. experiments conducted, it can be concluded that by providing They concluded that an addition of Hydrogen to petrol engine oxyhydrogen in addition to a gasoline fuel in an IC engine improves Break thermal efficiency, also reduces HC and CO yields better combustion which diminishes HC emission and emissions [4-6]. Saravanan et al [7] did an experimental tends to follow complete combustion path. investigation on hydrogen as a dual fuel for diesel engine system with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technique. The

test results demonstrated that the SFC decreased without EGR Keywords: Electrolysis, Oxyhydrogen, Emissions control, SI with 20 l/min of hydrogen flow and they concluded that the engines reason for the reduction in SFC is due to the operation of hydrogen-fueled engine under lean burn conditions [8-9]. Masood et al [10] studied on experimental verification of computational combustion and emission analysis of hydrogen 1. INTRODUCTION diesel blends. Test results showed that the hydrogen diesel co- Current scenario depletion of fossil fuels that is petrol and fuelling solved the drawback of lean operation of hydrocarbon diesel and their related severe effects on environments is fuels such as diesel, which were hard to ignite and resulted in forced to demand alternate source for meeting sustainable reduced power output, by reducing misfires, improving energy with minimum environmental impact. Among alternate emissions, performance and fuel economy. sources, experts studied the use of oxyhydrogen gas as an Saravanan et al [11] studied on an experimental investigation alternative fuel source which is used into IC engines for the on optimized manifold injection in a direct-injection diesel reduction of emission pollutants and also to enhance the engine with various hydrogen flow rates. The test results combustion qualities. Oxyhydrogen module producing and showed that in the manifold injection technique, the optimized injecting oxyhydrogen gas (HHO) into vehicle's air intake condition was the start of injection at gas exchange top dead system. Production of oxyhydrogen gas works on the principle center (TDC) with injection duration of 30ο crank angle with of electrolysis. The oxyhydrogen gas which was produced by a hydrogen flow rate of 7.5 l/min. The brake thermal electrolysis is then injected into vehicle's air intake system as efficiency of the engine was increased by 9% compared to a supplemental fuel. Oxyhydrogen gas has proven to increase only pure diesel was used. From their experiments CO mileage, improving power and lowering emissions. Providing emissions varied from 0.03 to 0.12 vol % compared to 0.08 - Oxyhydrogen is better than providing pure Hydrogen since 0.14 vol % in a diesel fuel. Oxygen is mandatory for combustion which is present in Oxyhydrogen. Adding Oxyhydrogen causes gasoline or diesel Naber J D and Siebers D L [12] successfully investigated on to ignite faster and more efficiently, resulting in higher FUEL hydrogen auto-ignition process under diesel conditions. The ECONOMY and dramatically LOWER EMISSIONS. Over auto ignition of hydrogen was investigated in a constant 60% of the gasoline is wasted through fumes, vibration, volume combustion vessel. The varied parameters were as evaporation and unburned fuel. Gasoline is a complex follows: the injection pressure and temperature, the orifice molecule, and it does not burn completely due to its diameter, and the ambient gas pressure, temperature and complexity. composition. They obtained a strong Arrhenius correlation between ignition delay and temperature. Tamer Nabil [13] conducted experiments on two engines 150CC and 1300CC

340 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 16, Number 5 (2021) pp. 340-345 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

(old and new engines). Their results showed that the reduction The number of hydrogen molecules produced is thus twice the of 14.8 % and 16.3 % in fuel consumption, 33 % and 24.5 % number of oxygen molecules. Assuming equal temperature reduction in CO, 27.4 % and 21 % reduction in HC for 150CC and pressure for both gases, the produced hydrogen gas has, and 1300CC engines respectively. therefore, twice the volume of the produced oxygen gas. The number of electrons pushed through the water is twice the Ali Hussain Kazim et al [14] proved that the engine number of generated hydrogen molecules and four times the performance is improved significantly at high speed over number of generated oxygen molecules. 2400 rpm [15-16]. Senthil et al [17] conducted research on applying hydrogen to improve combustion of vegetable oil in A comparison of widely used fuels has been listed in table1. a diesel engine. In their work, experiments were conducted to From the data, it is clear that apart from the handling evaluate the engine performance while using small quantities difficulties, Hydrogen process improved combustion of hydrogen in a compression ignition engine primarily fueled characteristics, also since it's a gas it could diffuse more with a vegetable oil, namely jatropha oil. Results indicated an efficiently and which could improve the combustion increase in the brake thermal efficiency from 27.3% to a characteristics. maximum of 29.3% at 7% of hydrogen mass share at the Table 1. Combustion properties of diesel, gasoline and maximum power output. They also noticed significant smoke hydrogen reduction by 20% [18]. Arvind et al [19] prepared HHO gas by an electrolysis process distilled water with Potassium Properties Diesel Gasoline Hydrogen Hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst and they evaluated the performance parameters, carbon monoxide emission (CO), Auto-ignition temperature 530 533-733 858 carbon dioxide emission (CO2), unburnt hydrocarbon Minimum ignition energy emission (HC) with production rate of HHO gas [20-21]. - 0.24 0.02 (mJ)

Flammability limits (volume 3. PRINCIPLE OF HYDROGEN FUEL 0.7-5 1.4-7.6 4-75 % in air) Electrolysis principle is applied in working of Oxyhydrogen Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio based vehicle. Electrolysis is achieved by dipping two 14.5 14.6 34.3 electrodes oppositely polarized by a DC power source in a on mass basic suitable medium (water). One electrode is act as cathode and Limits of flammability the other acts as anode. When applying DC power, it - 0.7-3.8 0.1-7.1 stimulates the electrolysis process based on the polarization. (equivalence ratio) Electrolysis is the process of splitting of water molecules into ౦ 833-881 721-785 0.0838 hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Oxygen is generated at the Density at 16 C and 1.01 3 anode terminal and hydrogen is generated at the cathode bar (kg/m ) terminal as a result of cathodic and anodic reactions. The Net heating value (MJ/kg) 42.5 43.9 119.93 equations are as follows, Reduction at cathode: Flame velocity (cm/s) 30 37-43 265-325 2퐻+퐻+ + 2푒− → 퐻 Quenching gap in NTP air (푎푞) 2(푔) - 0.2 0.064 (cm) Oxidation at anode: 2 + − Diffusivity in air (cm /s) - 0.08 0.63 2퐻2푂(푙) → O2 (g) + 4퐻 (푎푞) + 4푒 The same half reactions can also be balanced with a base as Research octane number 30 92-98 130 listed below. Not all half-reactions must be balanced with acid or base. Many do, like the oxidation or reduction of water Motor octane number - 80-90 - listed here. To add half reactions, they must both be balanced with either acid or base. 4. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP Cathode (reduction): 4.1 Construction − − 2퐻2푂(푙) + 2e → 퐻2 + 2푂퐻 (푎푞) (푔) Construction started with designing of electrodes and Anode (oxidation): selection of float chamber. Electrodes are properly shaped such a way that it fit smoothly with the airtight chamber. By 4푂퐻− → O + 2퐻 푂 + 4e− (푎푞) 2(푔) 2 (푙) using electronic circuit electrodes are alternately polarized Combining either half reaction pair yields the same overall connected to respective battery terminals. Tubes are decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen: connected from the chamber to enable passage of the gas without loss of pressure. The tubes are fed to the inlet Overall reaction: chamber of the bubbler. The outlet is connected to the air inlet of the carburetor. The basic layout of combustion setup 2퐻2푂(푙) → 2H2(푔) + O2(푔)

341 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 16, Number 5 (2021) pp. 340-345 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com diagram is shown in Fig.1. Main components include water storage tank, water regulatory mechanism, bubbler, electrodes, airtight chamber, connecting pipes.

Battery

Water Storage Float Chamber HHO Chamber Bubbler

Engine Carburetor Air Filter

Fig.1 Schematic layout of combustion setup

Water tank and water regulatory mechanism are set for 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION providing constant and continues water supply for electrolysis As part of the study, we have conducted two important tests, process. Electrodes are connected to a battery and are contained in an airtight chamber. Electrolysis occurs in this 1. Emission test chamber. Oxyhydrogen gas is fed into engine through a 2. Fuel economy bubbler whose function is to prevent any backward misfire. The output of the bubbler is then connected to the inlet of The engine specifications are tabulated in Table 2. engine by using pipes. Table 2 Engine specifications

Manufacture Bajaj Auto Max Power 17.02 PS @ 8500 rpm Displacement 178.6 cc No. of Cylinders One Method of starting Kick start/ Electric start Method of cooling Air cooling

5.1 Emission test Emission analysis was carried out in an authorized pollution Fig.2 Experimental set up testing center. The test was conducted in two sections. First emission characteristics of the vehicle were studied. In the next section oxyhydrogen, kit was connected to the vehicle 4.2 Procedure and same procedure was followed. A comparison data are 1. Components were connected as shown in Figure 2. tabulated with and without oxyhydrogen kit in Table 3. 2. The storage tank is filled with water. Oxyhydrogen Table 3: Pollution test results chamber and bubbler are allowed to fill with water Without through the float arrangement. With Oxyhydrogen kit Oxyhydrogen kit 3. Electrodes are connected to the battery. Trial Trial 4. The outlet of the bubbler is connected to the Test reading Trial 3 Average manifold of the engine, in which air is filtered and 1 2 fed to the carburetor. CO (in %) 0.731 0.170 0.183 0.175 0.17 5. When the connections are properly made electrolysis process starts working. HC (in 704 248 314 281 281 6. Hydrogen-oxygen gases are formed in the PPM) oxyhydrogen chamber which further transferred to CO (in 2 12.60 14.22 13.64 14.19 14.01 the bubbler and then to the engine. %) 7. Hydrogen and oxygen act as a catalyst which burns quickly than the gasoline, which then ignite the fuel. O2 (in %) 1.56 0.79 0.98 0.82 0.86

342 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 16, Number 5 (2021) pp. 340-345 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

5.1.1 Carbon monoxide in figure 3. Carbon monoxide is one of the main exhaust gas components 5.2 Fuel Economy in case IC engines. It is generated mainly due to the By fuel economy test we have calculated the mileage of a incomplete combustion of fuel, when enough oxygen is not vehicle with and without connecting oxyhydrogen kit into it at available. Two carbon molecules combine with a single the same running condition. The test was carried out by oxygen molecule is formed carbon monoxide. It is colorless, measuring the time taken to consume a specific quantity of odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air. It fuel (say 100 ml) at a specific rpm. From the measured time is toxic to humans and animals when encountered in higher and rpm, we then calculated for 1 liter of fuel. concentrations. As expected the mileage also changed feasibly. The reason for When the oxyhydrogen kit is connected, hydrocarbons might this change is oxyhydrogen acting as a fuel catalyst. Before have undergoing complete combustion or tend to follow the fuel gets the fire oxyhydrogen gas started to ignite, and it complete combustion by the aid oxygen which is a part of provides staring and hence provide more time for the flame to oxyhydrogen. Also, the chance for increased combustion travel. Also before the actual fuel get ignited due to the duration also exists. Hence the CO emission is reduced. combustion of oxyhydrogen gas surrounding become warm 5.1.2 Hydrocarbons and it provides a smooth condition for the combustion of fuel and promotes the complete combustion. As a result of Hydrocarbons are the fuel itself. Due to some reasons like rich complete combustion the wastage of fuel decreases and fuel fuel mixture and incomplete combustion HC emissions are economy increases. formed. When the oxyhydrogen kit is connected as the spark plug ignites before gasoline gets the fire. Hydrogen starts Table 4: Fuel economy test results burning and provides gasoline a smooth complete burning effect. Providing some additional time regarding fraction of a second are obtained the fire can spread more and hence, the Mode Mileage ( KMPL ) HC emission get reduced. of operation Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Without Oxyhydrogen kit With Oxyhydrogen kit Without oxyhydrogen kit 44.36 43.37 42.43

81.13 With oxyhydrogen kit 53.26 53.49 54.46 71.47 64.46 52.65 47.35 35.54 28.53 Without oxyhydrogen kit With oxyhydrogen kit 18.87 53.26 53.49 54.46 44.36 43.37 42.43 CO (in %) HC (in PPM) CO2 (in %) O2 (in %)

Fig.3 Emission characteristics chart

5.1.3 Carbon dioxide Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Carbon dioxide is never considered as a pollutant emission. In Mileage ( KMPL ) case of IC engines carbon dioxide emissions are good. CO2 is produced due to the complete combustion of gasoline. When Fig.4 Mileage characteristics chart providing enough Oxygen for the fuel to burn, carbon dioxide is formed. Hence the oxyhydrogen kit is connected to the output of the HHO chamber which mixes uniformly with inlet 6. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK air and contributes to the complete combustion effect. By attaching oxyhydrogen kit, the following advantages have 5.1.4 Oxygen been found out, Similar to carbon dioxide oxygen is never considered as a 1. Carbon monoxide emission has been reduced by 61.19% pollutant but the increased rate of oxygen indicates the deficiency of complete utilization of intake air which in turn 2. Hydrocarbon emission has been reduced by 42.94% decreases the overall efficiency. When oxyhydrogen kit is 3. CO2 emission has been increased by 5.32% attached to the engine. Before fuel get ignited hydrogen takes the spark and start to burn. That provides little more time for 4. O2 emission has been reduced by 28.74% the flame to travel across and hence provide enough time to 5. Mileage has been increased by 23.9% react with available oxygen. The tabulated results were shown

343 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 16, Number 5 (2021) pp. 340-345 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

From the experiments, the results conclude that the combined Engineering Trends and Technology, 6(7), 358- 366 effect of hydrogen and oxygen act as a catalyst for gasoline [9] James W Heffel, (2003). ‘NOx emission and engines and improves the combustion of fuel by adding performance data for a hydrogen fueled internal oxyhydrogen kit . However, research in this field can be combustion engine at 1500 rpm using exhaust gas expected to help to make the planet greener. But the recirculation’, International Journal of Hydrogen practicability cannot be guaranteed without proper knowledge Energy, 28, 901-908. about other parameters such as engine cylinder temperature change, reliability, etc. [10] Masood M, Ishtar MM, Reddy AS, (2006). ‘Computational combustion and emission analysis of To overcome the drawbacks of the regular petroleum fuel, hydrogen diesel blends with experimental verification’, new innovative as an alternative is a need of time. 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