Something for PC to investigate

[Surfer]

This could be a way forward to continue with our hobby at less expense. Have a look at http://www.runyourcarwithwater.com/?hop=1goodchoic Do you think it is feasible? Apparently this concept was used during the fifties and then shelved.

Perhaps if PC Magazine took the time to investigate thsi for us caravanners, it would boost their image instead of writing boring reviews on can openers etc.

 

[Rick_5041348]

Well done Ian its worth PC looiking into it also the C&CC and CC

 

[Damian]

Funnily enough just been reading about this on another forum and this is the answer:

Quote:

It's an urban legend I'm afraid. Stanley Meyers designs are readily available throughout the web.

They designs are now, just as they were when he was found to be a fraud. Worthless.

* U.S. Patent 5,149,407 : Process and apparatus for the production of fuel gas and the enhanced release of thermal energy from such gas

* U.S. Patent 4,936,961 : Method for the production of a fuel gas

* U.S. Patent 4,826,581 : Controlled process for the production of thermal energy from gases and apparatus useful therefore

* U.S. Patent 4,798,661 : Gas generator voltage control circuit

* U.S. Patent 4,613,779 : Electrical pulse generator

* U.S. Patent 4,613,304 : Gas electrical hydrogen generator

* U.S. Patent 4,465,455 : Start-up/shut-down for a hydrogen gas burner

* U.S. Patent 4,421,474 : Hydrogen gas burner

* U.S. Patent 4,389,981 : Hydrogen gas injector system for internal combustion engine

You can get the full patents here: http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm

 

[Surfer]

With all due repsect to the moderator, every plonker and his aunt knows that the website is more than likely a scam or a joke and there are a number of other websites offering the same nonsense, but it is a matter of seeing through them to find the correct websites. I am unsure, but I think therehave also been some articles on ths concept written in respectable magazines..

My question was about the concept and whether may be feasible to use in conjunction with normal fuel. To give due, the site does not state that the vehicle with run on water only, it states using water as a supplement like a human would use vitamins. I apologise for not wording it correctly.

It is my understanding that some well know companies are and some may have developed fuel cells loosely based on this concept and that they are being presently trialed but due to the cost factor they are not in mass production.

Perhaps readers would like to have a read through this site http://www.fuelcells.org/basics/benefits_transp.html?gclid=CKbq7vKUjJICFSRPMAodc35C-Q which gives a reasonable overview on fuel cells.

Can the moderator please verify if the site appears to be genuine or is is another scame site?

 

[ValA.]

I've posted on another website, that during the war a farmer friend of my mother developed a way of running his car with a little oil, and some water. He installed a brass water tank on the top of his car, and was seen running around when everyone else had used up their 'ration'. It was rumoured that he was 'bought out' by Shell - and after the war he changed occupation and began to sell Shell fuel oil to farmers! There will still be oldies in the area who remember him.

 

[Dustydog]

Ian

I believe a lot of what you say is fact more than fiction.

In the 70s I recall someone had steam injector device fitted to the induction manifold which increased the engines performance.

Also have you all noticed how much more responsive an engine is on a cool fresh morning? Maybe there's more oxygen in the air or the atmosphere contains more water vapour?

I think you may onto something here Ian. Now watch our water bills double!

Cheers

Alan

 

[emmerson2]

Petrol engines always run slightly more efficiently on damp days. Water injection was tried on racing cars in the thirties, but was overtaken eventually by petrol injection.

 

[Surfer]

This is the type of stuff one doesn't mind reading in a magazine as it is more interesting than endless pages of advertisements. It also gets rise to debate in the magazine and also on a related forum. Obviously this partcular subject would require research and input from some boffins, but other subjects like for instance a new type of material in caravans, prototype new age awnings or anything prototype would be interesting especially a money saving device or tips on how to save money when caravanning.

 

[sma65_5082898]

Ok maybe this one is a myth but what about an article on converting our cars to run on LPG, Biodiesel, and vegetable oils bought from a supermarket. What are the pro's and con's etc,etc,etc

 

[rob_jax]

Water injection has the possibility of working - injecting exactly the right amount of water into the engine cylinder during the combustion process has the possibility of converting some of the waste heat into useful energy. The injected water is boiled into steam - and in the process expands by more than 1000 times.

So you should release more power from the combustion process, the flame temperature should be reduced (lowering NOx emissions), and it should work.

BUT:

The water injection needs to be calculated and synchronised by the car ECU - and that's not feasible today (not a part of the ECU program)

Rough and ready installations were trialled on large diesel bus engines - and these did have some positive effects - but I seem to remember that the payback wasn't that great...

And there's loads of threads on here about alternative fuel sources...

Robert

 

[otherclive]

In the 1960s the MoD carried out trials to see whether steam injection would improve the response of the high pressure staem boilers. Not only did it allow rapid power changes from idle-full-idle without flame out but it also made it virtually impossible to make dark smoke. The system was extensively fitted to Leander and Glamorgan classes but the advent of gas turbines overtook the steam systems. Also aircraft used to have water injection for use in hot climates or high altitude. The Impreza WRX Turbo has modification to fit water injection for a power boost. But waht all these systems do is to improve the efficiency of combusting a hydrocarbon fuel.

Other Clive