Author Topic: Interesting fuel economy research (Read 2561 times)

mattbondy · « **on:** April 08, 2009, 06:41:53 pm »

I came across this today (in Scientific American), some researchers have achieved something like a 25% increase in fuel economy using a magnetic field at the injectors on a diesel to modify the viscosity of the fuel. Apparently the spray pattern improves. According to the article I read, power consumption was very miniscule.

I just googled this one, I would assume it is the same researchers.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef8004898

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:17:34 pm »

i always thought that those magnets were snake oil. how could a permanent magnet possibly have any effect on the fuel viscosity anyway? maybe an electric magnet... but with hard numbers for better mileage, its hard to discount.

i have a couple hard drive magnets lying around... maybe i should experiment :lol:

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:35:15 pm »

mythbusters did it on a gasser with a magnet on the fuel line. Not quite the same as what you are describing but it didn't make any difference.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:42:09 pm »

this is different than a magnet because the electricity actually flows through the fuel, which sounds dumb since fuel isn't really a conductor, but really everything is conductive to an extent.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:55:07 pm »

i read the entire article made a 300d go from 32mpg hwy to 38mpg. quite impressive and it supposed to consume less than .1 watt. i'd like to see more details on how their little device is made.

truckinwagen · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:56:21 pm »

I have thought about experimenting with raising the break pressure on the injectors to atomize the fuel better now that I have a pump capable of pressures far exceeding the 155 my injectors are set at.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:06:48 pm »

actually doesn't look particularly hard to make from what i see, you'll just need a transformer to create 1000vdc i think. someone else would have to double check me on it, i just wonder how much space they have between the mesh.

clbanman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:25:21 pm »

Line at the bottom says the research was supported in part by STWA. If you go to their web site, guess what, they show a device that they claim "preliminary testing has indicated:".... Research that supports a claim funded by the company making the claim. I don't think I'll bite today.

Hey · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2009, 11:31:54 pm »

Don't waste your time with a magnet... I can assure you that this is bull***! Diesel is not even a polar molecule... there is not even a single or simple physical way I have seen in 6 years university in physics that could explain a beginning of simple relation between magnetic or electric field and diesel fuel.

THe only think it will shrink is your wallet. 32 to 38mpg could be explain by a lot of other parameters.

zagarus · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2009, 01:12:35 am »

Quote from: "Hey"

32 to 38mpg could be explain by a lot of other parameters.

exactly, how heavy your right foot is.

arb · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2009, 08:41:34 am »

Quote from: "Trev0rbr"

i read the entire article made a 300d go from 32mpg hwy to 38mpg. quite impressive and it supposed to consume less than .1 watt. i'd like to see more details on how their little device is made.

Snake oil. OK, listen to the contradictions and "magic" - they talk about a "strong magnetic field" yet they say only 0.1 watts are used ? Come on. A strong magnetic field requires much more power than that. If not, where is our starter motor that weighs half a pound and runs on a 9v transistor battery ? LOL If you want a strong magnetic field, the rare earth magnets are easy to get. Take apart an old hard drive and you'll get at least one. Be careful as you can destroy parts of your fingers if you get pinched ;-)

Before the melt-down, Chrysler engineers were working very hard to reduce electrical loads in the car so the alternator didn't take as much power from the engine = higher MPG. Same thing with going to an electric assist for power steering. No pump always dragging on the engine. Ford and some of the Japanese automakers have this now.

79rabbit4dr · « **Reply #11 on:** April 10, 2009, 01:02:10 am »

they've got electric assist steering on ATV's too, it's weird to get used to but works really well.

Golf/Jetta · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2009, 09:45:01 pm »

its using the fuel to create hydrogen before its released/sprayed vs as being a bubble in the fuel system. thus being a garentee its going to be sprayed out to be burnt off.. everything counts i guess. plus due to the size of the electro plates and how far apart they are they could be generating the .1 watt. (electrolysis) assuming this is on a plastic injector. it was never mentioned..

there is another method which cuts the fuel out all together
it goes like this
TDC valves closed
super hot vapors are sprayed in
a vacumm is created by the piston
thus in theroy should create H2O by the pull
compress then ignite.

stewardc · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2009, 06:31:15 am »

I have some experience with them on both propane and diesel. They are pure snake oil and do absolutely NOTHING.

Author Topic: Interesting fuel economy research (Read 2561 times)

arb

79rabbit4dr

stewardc