Hydrogen System Nearly Ready For Market

Hydrogen System Nearly Ready For Market ENERGY Hydrogen 27-4-28 A High River, Alberta company has spent more than four years and over $3 million to develop an economical system that lets you burn water in gas or diesel-powered tractors, pickups, semi trucks and other vehicles. The Hydro Power Pak was invented by Ira Nissley of Williamsburg, Iowa. By passing electrical current through a solution of purified water mixed with an electrolyte, the device splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are then injected into the engine's combustion chamber for cleaner, more efficient performance with higher horsepower. "Purified water alone would work, but adding the electrolyte solution makes a superior "water-fuel," says company president Doug Bender. He says the primary market for the Hydro Power Pak is large users of diesel fuel, so early in 2004 the product will become commercially available to trucking firms for use on highway tractor units. "For the past four years, we've had a working semi in Iowa testing one of our prototype Power Paks. It has put on 500,000 miles without one bit of trouble," Bender says. "The truck owner has saved between $7,000 and $10,000 in fuel costs each year. Based on this, we anticipate a six to nine-month payback for semi-truck owners." Mounted on the frame of the rig, the Hydro Power Pak has a 10-gal. reservoir which allows the "water-fuel" to last for about two weeks of highway driving before being topped up. "You need to add one gallon of water for every 1,000 miles you travel," he says. "A big advantage offered by our product is that engine oil stays cleaner because there are less carbon contaminates being produced. Since the oil is cleaner, there's less wear on the engine. We've analyzed the oil after 100,000 miles, and it still comes back okay. However, we can't contradict manufacturers' guidelines and we don't recommend you extend the time between oil changes." The Hydro Power Pak has been tested in both hot and cold climates with success. Its reservoir is an insulated container and the "water-fuel" has a lower freezing point than ordinary water. The system can be engineered specifically to any application, whether it be on a small lawn tractor or a giant earth mover. It works on engines that burn gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, or ethanol blends. "We plan to start the process of setting up exclusive dealers across the U.S. and Canada by the end of this year," says Bender. He says he is hoping the product will be available to owners of agricultural tractors and stationery irrigation pumping systems by late 2004. Pricing for the highway tractor market will be in the $5,000 (Canadian) range, and the unit will come with a 500,000-mile warranty. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, HyPower Fuel Inc., Doug Bender, Box 5561, High River, Alberta, Canada T1V 1M6 (ph. 403 601-8442; fax 403 601-8444; email: hypower@hypowerfuel.com; website: www.hypowerfuel.com).

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