Enhancing engine efficiency and reducing emissions using HHO gas: A sustainable approach to future energy demands

This study investigates the application of HHO gas, as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels in internal combustion engines. This study involved integrating an HHO generator with petrol into a four-stroke, 89cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, spark ignition I.C engine, resulting in significant reductions in harmful emissions and fuel consumption. The use of titanium electrodes with Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) coating in the HHO generator optimized hydrogen production. The results demonstrate hydrogen's potential as a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy source. Accordingly, hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were reduced by 71.04% at idle speed and 28.68% at 2500 rpm, while carbon monoxide (CO) emissions decreased by 39.38% and 46.81% respectively. Fuel consumption dropped by 24.41% at idle speed and 8.3% at 2500 rpm which leads to a total monetary saving of 28.56 LKR at idle speed and 9.71 LKR at 2500 rpm per liter. Several factors regarding HHO can contribute to the reduction of harmful gases, including higher laminar flame speed, faster flame front propagation, the presence of additional oxygen molecules, and the generation of free radicals. Unlike studies based on controlled lab experiments, this research uses nationally recognized data from government-standardized agencies, making its findings more reliable and practically significant. • Integration of HHO gas into a spark ignition four-stroke I.C Engine is tested here. • Hydro Carbon emissions were reduced by 71.04% at idle speed and 28.64% at 2500 rpm • Carbon monoxide emissions decreased by 39.38% at idle speed and 46.81% at 2500 rpm • Monetary saving of 28.56 LKR/l at idle speed and 9.76 LKR/l at 2500 rpm is achieved • Mileage improvement of 22.22% at 40 kmph and 24.78% at 50 kmph were observed