The scientific term HHO refers to oxygen-hydrogen, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen with the ratio of the concentration of two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen. Oxyhydrogen is also used in welding torches, but has another application in a vehicle's engine. HHO in automotive systems are oxygen gas generators that use water and a catalyst (known as an electrolyte solution) along with an electrical current to produce this gas.
Oxygen is combusted with the main engine fuel (gasoline or diesel) and helps the primary fuel to burn completely, getting more energy for the same amount of fuel used by the engine. This additional (received) power is greater than the engine load required, optimally, so the primary fuel of the engine can be reduced, while the engine produces the same torque for that particular load.
When the oxide (also known as hydroxyl gas) burns, it returns to its original formation before electrolysis occurs, which means that it turns into steam vapor, which is small droplets of water.
Different types of HHO in automotive systems
In automotive systems, mainly two types of HHO, consisting of a wet HHO cell and dry HHO configurations. These systems produce the hydroxyl gas produced, but differ in their technical design. Initially, an experimental electrolysis process was carried out under a wet HHO cell design to produce hydrogen in laboratories. The configuration of wet cells is still basically the same.
When the experimenters began using this configuration as a fuel economy device, the word soon spread, and many DIY technicians began trying to improve the design using different materials, configuration models and various catalysts. The design of the wet cell has improved significantly over the years and has also become more reliable. Thanks to continuous research and development, some enthusiast designers have come up with a completely new idea to reduce the maintenance time associated with the design of wet cells. Fortunately, the newest design has also become much more compact, which was a big advantage in the close modern engine compartments. This became known as the construction of dry HHO cells.
Wet HHO Cell vs. HHO Dry Cell
We have currently tested many different models on the market and even created a HHO product reviews page for these DIY HHO technical manuals. We found that, in general, both projects have their advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of Wet Cell Design :
- It is easier to periodically clean the preventive maintenance procedure.
- Easier and faster to change corroded anode plates
- Does not have many seals that will eventually deteriorate or harden
- It is cheaper to build compared to most dry cell constructions.
- Electrolyte does not require additional external pumps.
The disadvantages of the design of wet cells :
- Cumbersome in design, which can be a problem for installation on modern engine compartments
- Frequent anodic corrosion due to oxidation, which leads to more cleaning
- Anode plates will need to be replaced more often due to excessive corrosion.
- The construction of a wet cell produces more heat in the electrolyte solution.
- Requires more current than dry HHO cell design
- Electrolyte design requires more frequent flushing with fresh, clean electrolyte.
Advantages of dry cell design :
- Very compact in nature both in width and in thickness
- Less current required to operate in sequence.
- Heat generation in the HHO generator is almost absent
- Electrolyte stays cleaner for longer intervals.
- Anode plates cause much less
- The terminals do not corrode because they are isolated from the electrolyte
- Usually requires minimal maintenance.
The disadvantages of the design of dry cells :
- More manufacturing or construction costs as a DIY project
- More accuracy is required to build a design.
- Each cell is separated by a seal that will absolutely harden and begin to leak.
- Preventive maintenance procedures require the entire HHO generator to break into pieces.
- An external pump is required for most electrolyte designs.
As you saw above, wet and dry HHOs in automotive designs have their pros and cons. Depending on the space available in your engine compartment, this is an important factor to consider before attempting such an installation. For most modern cars, which seem to have very little free space, it is likely that dry cell construction will be required, mainly for two reasons that require less space and less operating frequency. This allows installation to be installed in even the most complex and difficult areas to access, if this is your only available option. A common option is to install a dry cell HHO generator in front of the radiator, located behind the bumper or behind the front fender, in the area of the wheel well, which is covered with a plastic cover from the factory.
