Increasingly, combustion scientists have developed interest in the growing area of hydrogen reactions in the automotive combustion cylinder. Hydrogen is used in the gasoline engine to increase power and mileage. (Please see speech to Colorado Air Quality Control Commission below.) The major concern is the generation of air pollutants of nitrogen-oxygen molecules (NOx), and the primary effects of nitrogen reactions with hydrogen.

There is increasing interest of the advantages of hydrogen as an automotive fuel, since studies have shown hydrogen additives to boost power and fuel economy. Several companies manufacture and sell hydrogen-generation engine add-ones, and these companies promote the used of hydrogen in combustion engines as a safe, environmentally-friendly technology. However, there may be a significant environmental and health risk to this practice, which has not been addressed by these companies.

In touting the safety of hydrogen generation in engines, the assumption is that the hydrogen reacts primarily with oxygen. However, air is about 78% nitrogen, and therefore the hydrogen-nitrogen reaction species need to be considered as well. The nitrogen molecule has an energy bond of 226,000 calories per mole. The hydrogen breaks this bond with an energy greater than the nitrogen energy bond which would effectively double the energy input from the hydrogen-nitrogen reaction. The output of these reactions includes nitric acid, and hydrogen cyanide gas.

Nitric acid is highly corrosive at combustive temperature, and can severely damage cylinders, pistons, valves and exhaust systems. Hydrogen cyanide is highly toxic to all living organisms. In addition, increase NOx combustion products can lead to increased tropospheric ozone pollution.

As hydrogen power and hydrogen additives receive increase use, a very heavy negative environmental and health effect may result.

David Wofsey,
Chief Agent
Sonic Spark, LLC