State-Journal.com - Tech students make hydrogen cells for their teacher's car

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer Michael Parrish, a senior at Franklin County Career and Technical Center, explains how a homemade hydrogen cell has helped his teacher’s F150 truck increase gas mileage and performance.

Because seniors don't participate in CATS testing, Franklin County Career and Technical Center students Michael Parrish, Noel Gaines and Nick Farler had some extra time last week and spent it discussing alternative fuels.

While hanging out with automotive technology teacher Francis Wheatley, the three students decided to make homemade hydrogen cells.

"We talked about it and I said why don't we do this," said Parrish, 18. "(Wheatley) was like "not today,' but I finally talked him into making a mock up."

After gathering information about hydrogen cells from the Internet and the school's science department, the students worked on creating an experimental cell, Parrish said.

"Our first try was producing hydrogen," Parrish said. "It's honestly hard to believe."

The cell was created by placing electrically charged brass wires into a jar of water mixed with baking soda, which speeds the process.

The wires, acting as electrodes, break down water molecules and change their chemical compound into HHO, or Brown's Gas, through a process called electrolysis. The hydrogen bubbles up and is trapped in gas form at the top of the jar.

"We took the theory and turned it into a reality pretty quick," Wheatley said.

Once they were successful, Wheatley decided they could install a cell in his 1994 Ford F150.
In a normal engine, oxygen runs into the engine through an air intake, where it combines with fuel and
is ignited by a spark plug, causing the mixture to combust and, in turn, the engine to run.

To install the cell, the group ran a hose from the hydrogen generator into the air intake, Parrish said.

The hydrogen gas is drawn into the fuel intake through a natural vacuum, hydrogenating the air and increasing the potential of the explosive power of gasoline.

"You get more burn for your fuel," Parrish said.

Wheatley said the hydrogen cell results in better gas mileage, a smoother ride and fewer vibrations when idling.

Because of traffic conditions, Wheatley hasn't been able to accurately gauge how much gas the fuel cells save, but he said it definitely costs less money. A Ford F150 normally gets about 15 miles per gallon.

Parrish estimates every hydrogen bubble produced is equal to an ounce of gasoline. He said their current setup saves approximately a half-mile per gallon of gasoline, and every little bit helps as the price of gas has risen more than 50 cents per gallon over the last six months, and is currently at all time highs at $3.60 per gallon.

"Americans cannot afford this rising cost of fuel and being dependent on foreign oil," Wheatley said. "We have the resources and the technology to be fuel efficient."

The cells created at the CTC cost Wheatley around $20, he said. Supplies to make the cells are available at hardware stores.

Parrish said the process has opened his eyes to alternative fuels.

"Knowing that I can produce hydrogen and save gas, it's unbelievable," he said.