ISSN 2319-8885

Vol.04,Issue.16,
June-2015,
Pages:2994-2998
www.ijsetr.com

Performance of I.C Engines using HHO GAS

PRASAD KUMAR PUTHA1, G. SATISH BABU2
1
Asstiant Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, CMR Technical Campus, Hyderabad, India, E-mail: ppk.0329@gmail.com.
2
Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, JNTUH College of Engineering, Hyderabad, India, E-mail:satishbabug.jntuhm@gmail.com.

Abstract: In recent years, many researchers have focused on the study of alternative fuels which benefit enhancing the engine
economic and emissions characteristics. In the present work, hydroxy gas (HHO), which was produced by the electrolysis process
of an electrolyte (KOH(aq)) with stainless steel electrodes in a leak proof plexiglass reactor (hydrogen generator) is used as
working substance. Hydroxy gas was used as a supplementary fuel in a single cylinder, spark ignition (SI) engine without any
modification and without need for storage tanks. It effects on exhaust emissions. Engine performance characteristics and specific
fuel consumption are investigated.

Keywords: Hydrogen, Hydroxy Gas, Electrolysis, Performance, Emissions.

I. INTRODUCTION of power supply, and more precisely on its power electronics

Sa’ed A. Musmar et al (1) introduced some of the
hydrogen advantages and maintain the original specifications
of the engine. This was attained by introducing HHO cell to
the fuel supplying system. So, the fuel becomes a mixture of
gasoline and HHO gas. A compact unit for generating HHO
gas has been designed to fit the engine requirement and to be
installed in the engine room. Experimental tests to investigate
the effect of HHO gas on the emission parameters of a Honda
G 200 engine have been carried out. The exhaust is sampled
by a gas analyser and the exhaust constituents have been
identified and their concentrations have been evaluated. Ali
Can Yilmaz, et al (2) made a spectacular combination of
anodes and cathodes in a simply adaptable ambient within the
fuel system and to obtain an enhancement in combustion and
reduction in exhaust emissions with electrolysis reaction.
Hydroxy gas (HHO) was produced by the electrolysis
process of different electrolytes (KOH(aq), NaOH(aq),
NaCl(aq)) with various electrode designs in a leak proof
plexiglass reactor (hydrogen generator). They found the
minimum ignition energy of hydroxy air mixture is a
decreasing function of equivalence ratio till stoichiometric
(richer) conditions. R.B.Durairaj, J.Shanker and Dr.M.
Sivasankar (3) focused on the production, characterization of
bio-diesel.
This oxy-hydrogen gas has been pre-heated with the help
of waste heat recovered from the automobile exhaust. This
pre-heating of the air improves the thermal efficiency and
reduces the vibration of the engine. Alfredo Ursu´aa, et al (4)
Electrolyser Power Supply Emulator (EPSE) has been
designed, developed and built. The EPSE makes it possible to
characterise commercial alkaline water electrolysers and
analyse their energy consumption as a function of the electric
power supply. This electric power shape depends on the type
converter topology, on the control of the electric variables,
mainly current and voltage, and on the harmonic filters at the
output of the conversion stage. As a result, the EPSE is
capable of emulating the electric profile of the different
power supplies that are commonly used with commercial
water electrolysers. Ammar A. and Al-Rousan (5) proposed
the design of a new device attached to the engine to integrate
an HHO production system with the gasoline engine. The
proposed HHO generating device is compact and can be
installed in the engine compartment. This auxiliary device
was designed, constructed, integrated and tested on a
gasoline engine. The generated HHO gas was introduced to
the air stream just before entering the carburettor of a Honda
G 200 engine.
N.S. Jamoshid et al (6) they found that the certain claims
been made by people that installed the electrolyser unit to
produce HHO gas to supplement their vehicles observing fuel
savings were really unjustified when the electrolyser unit
electrical power is supplied from the vehicle’s battery or
alternator. Alternator has to recharge the vehicle battery,
power the ignition, headlights and supply the power of
various accessories that abound in a modern vehicle. Ming-
Yuan Lin et al (7) they discussed on the electrodes with
different magnetism are adapted on the hydrogen production
by water electrolysis, and the influences of magneto-
hydrodynamics on the electrolysis process. The MHD
phenomenon appearing as a magnetic field is applied in water
electrolysis. The increasing current density for water
electrolysis in a magnetic field is also dependent on the
electrodes used. The sequence for a better electrode would be
ferromagnetism (nickel), paramagnetism(platinum), and then
diamagnetism (graphite). MaikStreblau et al (8) their
experimental study of the regime of operation of an

Copyright @ 2015 IJSETR. All rights reserved.

 PRASAD KUMAR PUTHA, G. SATISH BABU
oxyhydrogen (HHO) generator depending on the parameters and consumption of hydrogen, no storage is necessary, which
of the electrolyte concentration and temperature by results in safe operation.
monitoring the amount of gas produced per unit time
compared to the electricity input. Their experiments resulted A. The Experimental Rig Setup Description and
in dependence of the processing time from the concentration Measurements Techniques
of the electrolyte has an exponential nature. The maximum of The test rig consists of four stroke petrol engine, to be
the MMW is registered at a concentration of the electrolyte tested for performance is connected to rope brake drum with
close to 20%. spring balance (mechanical dynamometer). The arrangement
is made for the following measurements of the setup as
Wei Suna, et al (9) the synthesized HHO has been proven shown in Fig.1. The rate of fuel consumption is measured by
as a good option of collector for use in separating minerals in using the pipette reading against the known time Air flow is
low-grade diasporic bauxite. They got results of the measured by manometer connected to air box.
separation flotation test showed that the A/S ratio was 14.42
and the recovery of alumina in a concentrate was 81.80%
using HHO as a collector. Their experimental results, to
prepare HHO from hogwash oil to be used as a collector will
bring important economic and social benefits as well as
protect the environment. Shrikant Bhardwaj, et al (10)
focuses on evaluating the performance enhancement of a
petrol engine through the addition of brown gas, generated
through water electrolysis. They observed that brown gas can
be mixed with gasoline safely, It substantial results may
obtain using mixture of brown gas and gasoline fuel.
Increasing heating value of the fuel. Spark retardation i.e.
optimum spark timing was used due to increase in flame
burning velocity. Exhaust HC and CO2 concentrations
increased with the increase of hydrogen fraction at high
engine load. This results in increased gas mileage and
Fig.1. Engine set up.
smoother running, longer lasting motors that waste much less
energy. The different mechanical loading is achieved by operating
II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP the spring balance of dynamometer in steps. The different
In this experimental study, hydroxy gas (HHO) which is mechanical energy is measured by spring balance and radius
produced by the electrolysis process of an electrolytes of brake drum as shown in Fig.2. The engine speed (rpm) is
KOH(aq) with reactor (electrode) designs in a leak-proof measured by electronic digital rpm counter. Temperature of
plexiglass reactor (hydrogen generator) is used as a the different points is measured by electronic digital
supplementary fuel in a single cylinder, four stroke, SI engine temperature indicator.
without any modification. HHO was firstly sent to a water
safety system to prevent backfire using a 1/3 water-filled pot
before being sent to the intake manifold. Sensors are located
on the container to observe excess growth of water
temperature and gas pressure. Non-turn valve is used to
prevent rising of gas pressure over 1 bar in the container. An
electronic hydrogen leak detector is used for probable gas
leaks. H2O is used as a sole fuel for gasoline and diesel fuel
is in brown color and the form of unseparated hydrogen and
oxygen generated by the electrolysis process of water by a
unique electrode design. Hydrogen and oxygen do not form
into O2 and H2 molecules. They are in their mono-atomic
state (a single atom per molecule). In this state, which is an
unstable state of H2O vapor, more energy is achieved
compared to hydrogen burning with oxygen. Pulverized
water clashes the fuel and they unite. Water becomes the core
Fig.2. Panel board arrangement.
and the fuel tends to be the water shell (due to density
difference).
High corrosion resistance is considered as one of the
During compression stroke, pressure and heat increases, major factors for electrode material due to its high corrosive
the water explodes to steam and consequently, the fuel gets working ambient. Therefore, electrodes used in this study are
atomized. After ignition, in cylinder temperature increases made of 316L stainless steel due to its high corrosion
rapidly which results water to be splitted into hydrogen and resistance. Plexiglass is used as material of reactor container
oxygen and re-ignition occurs which yields increased due to its high resistance against a probable explosion and its
combustion efficiency due to the simultaneous production transparency which allows a clear vision during the reaction.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume.04, IssueNo.16, June-2015, Pages: 2994-2998
 Performance of I.C Engines using HHO GAS
The lid material used for reactor container is polyamide due The above Fig.4 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at a
to its easy machinability in lathe. speed of 900r.p.m, without using HHO gas It indicates the
Break thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated
thermal efficiency and volumetric efficiency.

Performance of I.C Engine at 1100 rpm Speed:

Fig.3. HHO kit.

Using hydrogen generators will increase vehicle mileage,

horsepower by the increased combustion of fuel as shown in
Fig.3. In addition to saving money on fuel, this will also cut
down exhaust emissions since less fuel is being wasted in the Fig.5. Efficiency Vs BP.
combustion process and is consumed, which benefits the
environment. The above Fig.5 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at
a speed of 1100r.p.m , without using HHO gas It indicates the
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Break thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated
The aim of this experimental investigation is, to make a thermal efficiency and volumetric efficiency.
spectacular combination of anodes and cathodes in a simply
adaptable ambient within the fuel system and to obtain an Performance of I.C Engine at 1300 rpm Speed:
enhancement in combustion and reduction in exhaust
emissions with electrolysis reaction without the need for
storage tanks. In this experimental study, instead of pure
hydrogen addition to diesel fuel, produced hydrogen gas along
with oxygen (oxyhydro gas, HHO, Brown’s gas) is fed to the
intake manifolds of a direct injection single cylinder SI engine
by a HHO system and a HECU under various loads.
Electrolytes are used to diminish oxygen and hydrogen bonds.
HHO is used as a supplementary fuel in a four cylinder, four
stroke, and a single cylinder two stroke SI engine without any
modification and without need for storage tanks. Its effects on
HC, CO emissions, engine performance characteristics and
SFC are investigated.

A. Graphs of Petrol Engine without HHO

Performance of I.C Engine at 900 rpm Speed:

Fig.6. Efficiency Vs BP.

The above Fig.6 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at

a speed of 1300r.p.m, without using HHO gas It indicates the
Break thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated
thermal efficiency and volumetric efficiency.

B. Graphs of Petrol Engine with HHO

Performance of I.C Engine at 900 rpm Speed:
The Fig.7 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at a
speed of 900r.p.m, by using HHO gas It indicates the Break
thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated thermal
efficiency and volumetric efficiency.
Fig.4. Efficiency Vs BP.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.04, IssueNo.16, June-2015, Pages: 2994-2998
 PRASAD KUMAR PUTHA, G. SATISH BABU
C. Brake Thermal Efficiency
The variations of brake thermal efficiency at different
loads level with HHO addition were plotted at different rpm,
with varying load from 0-10 kg. It can be observed from
Fig.10. thermal efficiency vs load level, that regardless of
any load levels, thermal efficiency increases with induction
of hydroxy gas in both case of petrol. The flame speed of
hydrogen is nine times faster than that of petrol fuel and
mixture of gas contains oxygen, therefore, it enhances
combustion more complete. This will produce high peak
pressure which contributes to improve thermal efficiency.
However, figure shows that, with maximum flow rate of
hydroxy gas about 10L/h, thermal efficiency of petrol fuel
increases from 0.33%to 2.27%.

Fig.7. Efficiency Vs BP.

Performance of I.C Engine at 1100 rpm Speed:

Fig.10. brake thermal efficiencyVs Speed.

D. Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC)

Fig.8. Efficiency Vs BP.
The above Fig.8 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at
a speed of 1100r.p.m by using HHO gas It indicates the Break
thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated thermal
efficiency and volumetric efficiency.
Performance of I.C Engine at 1300 rpm Speed:
An average gain of 16.3% is achieved in SFC by using
HHO system. Brake thermal efficiency is usually used to
symbolize the engine economic performance. The
improvement in engine brake thermal efficiency for the HHO
enriched SI engine is more evidently seen at low manifold
absolute pressure (MAP) conditions. The reduction in SFC is
due to uniform mixing of HHO with air (high diffusivity of
HHO) as well as oxygen index of HHO gas which assists
gasoline during combustion process and yields better
combustion. This can be attributed to that, at high speeds, the
gasoline is hard to be completely burnt at lean conditions due
to the increased residual gas fraction and poor mixing. Since
HHO gains a high flame speed and wide flammability, the
addition of hydrogen would help the gasoline to be burned
faster and more complete at high speed conditions. Also, low
ignition energy of HHO-air mixture derives gasoline even to
be burned safely under leaner conditions. However, at low
speeds (≤2500 rpm), low lean flammability limit prevents
HHO to have positive influence on combustion efficiency
due to mixture requirement around stoichiometric conditions
and high volume occupation of HHO causes reduced
volumetric efficiency unless HECU is included to the system.

E. Hydrocarbon (HC) Emissions

An average reduction of 6.7% is obtained in HC
Fig.9. Efficiency Vs BP. emissions compared to pure gasoline operation. At high
speed conditions, short opening time of manifolds prevents
The above Fig.9 is plotted in between Efficiency and BP at
adequate air to be taken into the cylinder and gasoline cannot
a speed of 1300r.p.m, by using HHO gas It indicates the Break
be burned sufficiently as shown in Fig.11. Short quenching
thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated thermal
distance and wide flammability range of hydrogen yield
efficiency and volumetric efficiency.
engine to expel less HC emissions especially under high
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.04, IssueNo.16, June-2015, Pages: 2994-2998
 Performance of I.C Engines using HHO GAS
speed conditions and low speed conditions with the aid of
HECU. Besides, oxygen index of HHO yields better
combustion which diminishes HC emission. At low engine
speeds, due to high volume occupation of HHO, correct air
cannot be taken into the cylinders which prevent gasoline to
be combusted completely if HHO flow rate is not diminished
at about 1.6/min.
Fig.11. Efficiency Vs BP.
F. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emissions
An average reduction of 14.4% is achieved in CO
emissions compared to pure gasoline operation. Absence of
carbon in HHO gas is a major reason for CO reduction. Wide
flammability range and high flame speed of HHO ensure
engine to be operated at low loads as shown in Fig.12. The
HHO-gasoline mixture burns faster and more completely
than the pure gasoline. Thus, CO emission at high speed and
lean conditions is effectively reduced after hydrogen
addition. Since HHO contains oxygen, higher combustion
efficiency is obtained and increment for CO emission is
slower unless HHO flow rate is diminished to appropriate
flow rate values while approaching low speeds.
Fig.12. Petrol Vs HHO.
IV. CONCLUSION
The performance and emission characteristics of
conventional petrol and HHO gas where investigated on a
four stroke single cylinder S.I engine without any
modifications and without storage tanks. Improve the engine
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.04, IssueNo.16, June-2015, Pages: 2994-2998
performance in terms of break power thermal efficiency,
indicated power thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency
and volumetric efficiency. An average reduction of 6.7% is
obtained in HC emission compared to pure gasoline
operation. By the usage of HHO gas the pollution of the
vehicle is emitting the cut down to almost zero parts per
million (PPM) .So vehicles now using less fuel to produce
power output as before, but without pollution. It is about
environmentally friendly as you can get. In this technology
there is increase in fuel mileage, which could be as much as
60%.As a result same amount of fuel, you get more mileage.
The hydrogen on demand technology is that, there is no need
of any modification of the engine.
V. REFERENCES
[1]Sa’ed A. Musmar 1, Ammar A and Al-Rousan “Effect of
HHO gas on combustion emissions in gasoline engines” Fuel
90 (2011) pp. 3066–3070.
[2]Ali Can Yilmaz, Erinc¸ Uludamar and Kadir Aydin
“Effect of hydroxy (HHO) gas addition on performance and
exhaust emissions in compression ignition engines”
international journal of hydrogen energy 35 (2010) pp.11366-
11372.
[3]R.B.Durairaj, J.Shanker and Dr.M.Sivasankar “HHO Gas
with Bio Diesel as a Dual Fuel with Air preheating
Technology” Procedia Engineering 38 ( 2012 ) pp. 1112 –
1119.
[4]Alfredo Ursu´aa, Luis Marroyoa, Eugenio Gubı´aa, Luis
M. Gandı´ab Pedro M. Die´guezc, and Pablo Sanchisa
“Influence of the power supply on the energy efficiency of an
alkaline water electrolyser” international journal of hydrogen
energy 34 (2009) pp.3221–3233.
[5]Ammar A. and Al-Rousan “Reduction of fuel
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into intake manifold” international journal of hydrogen
energy 35 (2010) pp.12930-12935.
[6]N.S. Jamoshid, N.H.Hashim, R.B.Ali, & N.S. Saudin
“Solar-operated Hydrogen Assisted Combustion Using Solar
PV Panel to Reduce Vehicle’s Fuel Consumption” 7th
international power engineering and optimization conference
2013 pp.139-143.
[7]Ming-Yuan Lin, Lih-Wu Hourng and Chan-Wei Kuo “The
effect of magnetic force on hydrogen production efficiency in
water electrolysis” international journal of hydrogen energy
37 (2012) pp.1311-1320.
[8]MaikStreblau, MihailSimov, BohosAprahamian and
Tatyana Dimova “The Influence of the Electrolyte
Parameters on the Efficiency of the Oxyhydrogen (HHO)
Generator” volume 14, 2014 pp1-8.
[9]Wei Sun a, Kui Ouyang a,b, Limin Zhang a,c, Yuehua
Hua and Chen Chen “Preparation of hydrolyzate of hogwash
oil (HHO) and its application in separating diaspore from
kaolinite” Minerals Engineering 23 (2010) pp.670–675.
[10]Shrikant Bhardwaj1, Ajay Singh Verma2, Subodh
Kumar Sharma “Effect Of Brown Gas On The Performance
Of A Four Stroke Gasoline Engine” International Conference
on Advanced Developments in Engineering and Technology
Volume 4, Special Issue 1, February 2014 pp. 300-308.