Four of the five galaxies of the Stephan’s Quintet, located in the constellation Pegasus, are truly close together, about 290 million light-years away. The fifth and leftmost galaxy is well in the foreground, and only 40 million light-years from Earth. This is fairly close in cosmic terms, compared with more distant galaxies, billions of light-years away.
(Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and the Webb ERO Production Team)
The HODS kit is based on the production of in-situ Hydrogen gas through electrolysis. The technology produces Hydrogen only when it is required, i.e., ‘ON DEMAND’, when the engine is running. The gas is consumed as it is produced, and this means that there is no storage of the gas at all. Hydrogen gas as used in this technology is NOT A FUEL! It is only a combustion catalyst.
Once a HODS kit is installed, the resultant combustion efficiency not only decreases exhaust emissions, it also gives rise to an increase in fuel efficiency of around 15% to 20%, giving the owner of the vehicle an immediate economic benefit due to the improvement in mileage. HODS technology therefore offers the best of both worlds – a reduction in air pollution; and a reduction in operating costs.
The HODS kit for a normal passenger vehicle is expected to retail for below Rs. 40,000/- including installation and all taxes. This compares very favourably with the cost of a CNG kit. The vehicle/generator owner will start saving on fuel almost immediately, and depending on driving/running hours, stands to recover the cost of the kit within a few months. The HODS kit has no moving parts except a small water circulating pump. This is powered by a brushless motor and is designed to work at only 50% of its capacity, thereby resulting in long, trouble free service.
There are many advantages of installing the HODS kit in a vehicle or diesel generator. Apart from reducing air pollution and lowering operating costs, the engine runs cooler and cleaner, thereby increasing its operating life. HHO gas decarbonizes the engine. When hydrogen and oxygen recombine in the cylinder, superheated steam is produced which strips away all the carbon deposits inside the cylinder. In fact, engine decarbonising technology is now being carried out by especially designed HHO kits! In the case of diesel engines, cleaner exhaust emissions mean less stress on the vehicle’s diesel particulate filter resulting in reduced maintenance and service costs. What this means is that both petrol and diesel engines will run cleaner, at lower temperatures, and there will be less wear and tear.
The HODS kit is designed to feed a very small amount of gas to the engine, typically around 15% of the displacement volume of the engine per minute. Therefore a 1.5 litre engine requires only 0.225 litres of gas per minute. Since 1 litre of water produces around 1865 litres of gas (at 0° Celsius), the vehicle can be driven for about 130 hours on 1 litre of water. HODS kits can be installed within an hour, require no modification to the vehicle or engine, and do not require the development of any infrastructure whatsoever.
The USP of our HODS system which runs on the F.O.R.D. technology is that electrolysis can be carried out with plain tap water without the addition of electrolytes. This is made possible by a patent pending proprietary technology based on the Fisher – Oriani Resonance Device (FORD) developed by our collaborators in the USA.
It is well known that when Hydrogen gas is added to any hydrocarbon fuel/air mixture in an internal combustion engine, the engine works at a higher thermal efficiency, leading to lower exhaust emissions and increased fuel economy. This occurs because the addition of Hydrogen gas assists the hydrocarbon fuel to burn more efficiently.
There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon:
The patent pending Fisher-Oriani Resonance Device (F.O.R.D.) technology is based on the conversion of direct current (DC) into a pulsed direct current output which can be tuned to any set of desired frequencies. Our (patent pending) HODS kit is specially designed to work with the F.O.R.D. unit. The HODS kit has at its core, a specially designed and assembled hydrogen generator consisting of metal plates and separation plates housed in a sturdy casing. The metal plates of the generator are tuned to the frequency of the F.O.R.D. device, and when connected, they start oscillating, and a harmonic resonance is created which breaks down the water entering the hydrogen generator into its constituent gases, Hydrogen and Oxygen.
This is an advanced process of electrolysis based on harmonic resonance rather than on only the simple transfer of ions in an electrolyte solution. This harmonic resonance breaks down the water molecules into HHO, using plain tap water, without the addition of any chemical/salt/electrolyte.
(In traditional electrolysis, direct current (DC) is supplied to metal plates and an electrolyte is added to the water as an essential requirement to enable electrolysis by increasing the conductivity of water. This is not only less efficient but also hazardous as the electrolytes normally used in such electrolysis are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) which are highly corrosive and can cause severe damage to the aluminium and aluminium-alloy components in the engine.)
The two main features of the HODS kit which make it inherently safe are: (1) The low pressure at which it operates; and (2) the absence of storage of the gas.
Low Pressure. The HODS kit installed in a vehicle works at a nominal pressure of 0.1 psi. In case the pressure in the system increases for any reason, the kit shuts down. An electrical pressure switch is installed in the kit which shuts it down if the operating pressure touches 2.5 psi, and the car reverts to ‘stock’ condition. A green LED on the control unit turns to red, signalling to the driver that the kit is off.
The HODS kit also has a specially designed pressure release valve which is set to operate at 3.0 psi. In case of a failure of the pressure switch, and if the pressure touches 3.0 psi, the pressure release valve opens and the gas being produced by the kit is vented outside the vehicle.
Zero storage. The HODS kit starts producing HHO gas ONLY when three conditions are satisfied: (1) the ignition must be ‘on’; (2) the kit must be ‘on’; and (3) the engine must be turning over. Under these conditions, whatever gas is produced is sucked into the intake manifold of the engine. If the engine stalls, the production of gas stops, and the only gas in the system is the few millilitres in the pipes of the system. Therefore, the system is inherently safe.
Apart from the safety features described above, the kit has a low-pressure flash-back arrestor installed in the gas pipe just before the intake manifold. In case of any backfire in the engine, this device ensures that the flash or back-flame is arrested there and then, and does not travel back to the kit.
The HODS kit uses pipes and connectors which are designed for use at more than 100 psi operating pressure. At the low pressure which exists in the HODS system, there is no chance of any leakage whatsoever.
The only technology available today which can be used to manufacture Ultra-Low-Emission-Vehicles (ULEVs) is Electric Vehicle (EV) technology. EVs can be powered by batteries, of which there are several types: those based on Lithium ion or Lithium compounds; those based on Sodium or Sodium compounds; and those based on Aluminium-Water battery technology.
Each of the three technologies mentioned above has their own challenges:
The power required to charge EV batteries in the short term will come mainly from fossil fuelled power plants which will lead to an increase in emissions from power generation. In time of course, this will be mitigated by the Government of India’s laudable push toward green power, based on solar energy and wind.
Another technology which provides energy for EVs, is the Hydrogen Fuel Cell, which does away with batteries completely. Hydrogen is stored in the vehicle at high pressure, and Oxygen is taken from the atmosphere. The two gases combine in the Fuel Cell to generate electricity which runs the car motor. Therefore, no batteries are required. At first glance, it seems to be a dangerous proposition to travel in a car with a tank full of compressed Hydrogen at very high pressure. However, the technology for Hydrogen storage is well developed, especially in Japan and South Korea, and Fuel Cell cars are as safe as cars which run on hydrocarbon fuels.
It is clear therefore, that one step in the right direction is to start producing EVs in large quantities. The only issue is the amount of investment required by the Government to develop the infrastructure country-wide, either for battery charging, or Hydrogen refilling, and the investment required by the Automobile majors to develop cheaper technologies so that EVs sell in large numbers.
The good news is that there is a concerted effort across the world to come up with alternatives to current technologies for automobile batteries. Here are the 5 most promising alternatives:
NanoBolt lithium tungsten batteries
Working on battery anode materials, researchers at N1 Technologies, Inc. added tungsten and carbon multi-layered nanotubes that bond to the copper anode substrate and build up a web-like nano structure. That forms a huge surface for more ions to attach to during recharge and discharge cycles. That makes recharging the NanoBolt lithium tungsten battery faster, and it also stores more energy.
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Zinc-manganese oxide batteries
How does a battery actually work? Investigating conventional assumptions, a team based at DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found an unexpected chemical conversion reaction in a zinc-manganese oxide battery. If that process can be controlled, it can increase energy density in conventional batteries without increasing cost. That makes the zinc-manganese oxide battery a possible alternative to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, especially for large-scale energy storage to support the nation’s electricity grid.
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TankTwo String Cell™ batteries
A barrier to the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is the slow recharging process. Seeking a way to turn hours into minutes, TankTwo looked at modularizing a battery. Their String Cell™ battery contains a collection of small independent self-organizing cells. Each string cell consists of plastic enclosure, covered with a conductive material that allows it to quickly and easily form contacts with others. An internal processing unit controls the connections in the electrochemical cell. To facilitate quick charging of an EV, the little balls contained in the battery are sucked out and swapped for recharged cells at the service station. At the station, the cells can be recharged at off-peak hours.
Ganosilicon electrolyte batteries
A problem with lithium batteries is the danger of the electrolyte catching fire or exploding. Searching for something safer than the carbonate based solvent system in Li-ion batteries, University of Wisconson-Madison chemistry professors Robert Hamers and Robert West developed organosilicon (OS) based liquid solvents. The resulting electrolytes can be engineered at the molecular level for industrial, military, and consumer Li-ion battery markets.
Gold nanowire gel electrolyte batteries
Also seeking a better electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, researchers at the University of California, Irvine experimented with gels, which are not as combustible as liquids. They tried coating gold nanowires with manganese dioxide, then covering them with electrolyte gel. While nanowires are usually too delicate to use in batteries, these had become resilient. When the researchers charged the resulting electrode, they discovered that it went through 200,000 cycles without losing its ability to hold a charge. That compares to 6,000 cycles in a conventional battery.
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Apart from the above research and development, there are likely to be many more new technologies which have not yet been announced, and this bodes well for the future of the EV. However, in spite of this ongoing effort, the mass adoption of electric vehicles along with development of the extensive infrastructure required, is a relatively long-term program. It is also very clear that it will be many years before enough EVs are on our roads to have any significant effect on vehicle related emissions.
The number of vehicles (4 or more wheels) on Indian roads powered by internal combustion engines is approximately 4.5 crores (1.5 crore commercial vehicles and 3.0 crore passenger vehicles). This figure is expected to cross 6.0 crores by the year 2030. There are also a very large number of diesel generators operating all across the country. Every single one of these vehicles and generators is, and will continue to be a source of air pollution.
Once a vehicle is sold and is on the road, and/or a diesel generator has been installed and is working, there is no technology available to reduce emissions from these entities, Till now!
The main benefit of the HODS kit is its ability to reduce harmful emissions from petrol and diesel engines which power the vehicles which are plying on our roads, and the diesel generators which are working in our factories and homes.
The HODS kit is an interim technology for use on vehicles which use hydrocarbon fuels, and can play a significant role during the time period that the automobile industry and the Government are gearing up to replace all polluting vehicles with Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). As we have mentioned, this is a long-term goal and, in the meantime, pollution can be significantly reduced with the installation of the HODS kit on hydrocarbon fuelled vehicles.
Introduction of the HODS kit requires no change in the vehicle registration as we are not changing the fuel, but only adding a combustion enhancer. Heavy outlay on infrastructure is not required as the only thing to be added is water, and that, too, very little water. The automobile industry need not make any changes in the existing engines as no change is required. Therefore, implementation of the HODS technology can be undertaken immediately, and without any cost to the government.
The installation of the HODS kit is extremely simple, taking on average just an hour or so. The installers’ mechanics can be easily trained to do a quick clean installation and do the necessary checks to ensure that the system is working optimally. The vehicle will be checked at a PUC centre before and after installation which will clearly show the difference in emission levels after the kit has been installed. All these actions do not require anything out of the ordinary, as most of the above infrastructure and systems already exist.
The HODS kits are available today. As soon as we start manufacturing and installing these kits, the level of road pollution will be impacted. The rate of change in the pollution level will of course depend on the number of kits which are sold and installed.
As the Government and the Auto Industry work towards the implementation of EV technology, and the country gears up for the newer ULEVs, HODS technology can work in tandem, and help to reduce pollution levels in the short term by reducing pollution from vehicles and diesel generators which are already in operation and which will continue to be produced for the next few decades. This will help in cleaning up the pollution levels in our cities, and at the same time, give the Government and the Automotive Industry the much-needed time for implementing EV technology across the country. In effect, both technologies will work together to achieve the common goal as quickly as possible.
The HODS kit has been developed primarily for the Indian market. However, our collaborators are also awaiting the kit for their markets in the USA, UK, Africa and the European Union. Air pollution is a global phenomenon, and all peoples in all countries can be benefitted by this technology.
Support of the Government
The Union Government as well as the various State Governments could provide significant support for the adoption of the HODS technology to reduce emissions in the country. This could be through tax incentives for purchase of the kit, interacting with the insurance companies for lowering insurance charges for vehicles with HODS kits installed, extending the life of such vehicles by 3 to 5 years by permitting them to operate for the extended periods, and by subsidising the purchase of these kits.
Clearly, the greater the rate of installation of the HODS kit, the greater the effect on the environment. Therefore, Government support will go a long way in accelerating the installation of the HODS kits, and lead to a faster reduction in vehicle pollution in the country.
Our hope is that once the efficacy of this technology is demonstrated on a larger scale, the Government of India and the State Governments may even consider legislation to ensure the mass introduction of the HODS technology to reduce vehicular pollution.
The Universe is powered by Hydrogen. In every star in every galaxy, Hydrogen is being converted to Helium, and the resulting energy is radiating across the Universe. Using Hydrogen as the source for all our energy needs is therefore something that will surely happen in the not too far future. Pollution is a global problem, and a large part of air pollution is caused by the transport sector. India is one of the most polluted countries in the world and more than 30% of air pollution is caused by the traffic in our cities.
Hydrogen on Demand Systems was incorporated in 2020 with the goal to design, develop and manufacture products which could reduce air pollution in India. We have now developed the HODS kit, a product which uses Hydrogen derived from water electrolysis to reduce emissions from automobiles and diesel generators
Hydrogen kits are not new – they have been around for more than 50 years. HODS has now developed a patent pending HHO kit which not only reduces emissions from vehicles and diesel generators, but at the same time, reduces fuel consumption also.
In the section on Technology in the website, we have provided a general outline of the technologies which all have a common goal – that of making the world a better place to live. Electric vehicles (EVs) is the most promising technology to manufacture ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) to replace the hydrocarbon fuel based vehicles which are on the road today. EV technology is slowing gathering momentum, but it will be many years before there are enough EVs on the road to start reducing air pollution.
As the Automobile industry and the Government gear up for the speedy implementation of EV technology and other technologies which may be on the anvil, HODS technology can work to reduce pollution levels in the short term by reducing emissions from vehicles and diesel generators which are already in operation and which will continue to be produced for the next few decades.
Air pollution is a serious problem and we need to tackle it seriously. We believe that the HODS technology is the best way forward to start improving the air quality in our cities, because there is nothing else which can reduce emissions from fossil fuel based internal combustion engines without any modification to the engine, and without any infrastructure outlay by the Automobile majors or the Government.
We have attempted to provide key information about the product, the technology, and our views on the implementation of the technology in this website. There will be many further questions, and further clarifications will be required. Questions and requests for clarifications are welcome, and we shall strive to provide all information forthwith. We shall welcome any further discussions and exchange of ideas with all those individuals and entities who are ready and willing to contribute to reducing the problems created by polluting technologies, and to help in the further development and deployment of the HODS technology across the country.