The modern hydrocarbon engine typically has an engine efficiency of about 20 - 30%, so that there is much room for improvement. There are two aspects to the efficiency of any engine, (1) the ratio of useful work / energy & (2) the % of fuel combusting fully, partially & not at all. Now (1) is determined by the engineering design of the manufacturer & is quite independant of the chemistry of combustion. Energy is typically lost through heat, friction & noise, which reduces the useful work. The combustion chemistry is however a very important aspect to efficiency, since this process is always partial in modern engines. This is evident from CO in the exhaust fumes, & the more obvious signs of C & HC deposits built up in the engine, the waste HC that is burnt for no work in that contraption called the catalytic converter & that HC which goes straight through & out the exhaust pipe. Therefore if one is to improve engines, the improvement of the combustion process is probably the most important aspect. The combustion process is summarised by the following chemical equation in general terms.

HC + O2 ->(combusts) CO2 + H2O + energy + ? + {CO + CH4} +[C + hc] + HC 

useful work = % energy determined by (1)

partial combustion products  = gaseous {CO + CH4} + engine deposit prone [C+hc].

 non combusted = HC

 Improved combustion will naturally give more energy, & thereby power & useful work (improving economy). It will also decrease deposits (C+HC), and thereby reduce maitenance costs, and extend the life of parts & engine itself. Reduced deposits will also improve economy, performance & the general smoothness of the drive.

There are several simple and affordable ways to improve the engine combustion process. The simplest and least intrusive being the PCV Enhancer. The PCV Enhancer is a type of filter to help purify the fuel of impurities (which impede combustion) before entry into the manifold for piston combustion. This part was first introduced in 1960s. It is observed to improve the combustion process by some 5-25%, as measured in fuel economy.

 The other aspect relates to the 14.7 parts air to one part fuel regulation in modern engines. This simply does not supply the combustion process with enough O2 to have a high % of total combustion of the fuel, as almost any mechanic will tell you. A ratio of 20-25 is far more appropriate. This is a more difficult problem, but probably the simplest & most affordable approach, is to build & install a MAP Sensor Enhancer. The role of this device is to take the control away from the CPU, and give it to you, in the form of a potentiometer controlled dial. In this way, the CPU only detects a fraction of the air intake, so that the fuel input is reduced with respect to air intake. (The role of the CPU is to keep the ratio of air/fuel @ 14.7.)

The design, manufacture (from readily available components) & installation of these parts & more, are described in e-books (2). Parts & ongoing original organisation assistance become available upon e-books purchase (info + members website access). The design is simple (diy steps) & affordable (ie. $100s not $1000s). Success includes 1000s of happy upgraders & readers, business ventures & TV documentary publicity. To further enquire, please see my link shown in my profile, or alternatively ask a question, so that with my answer I will send you the corresponding link.  

I am a Water4gas Affiliate. Qualifications include Masters Degree in Water Resources Management, Graduate Diploma in Geophysics & Geology & B.Sc.. Interests include new technology, nutritional health, railways, astronomy & tennis.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hydrocarbon Combustion Efficiency