Introduction of Oxygen and Hydrogen

In summary, adding small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen with gasoline into an internal combustion engine can affect the readings of the O2 sensor. If added in a stoichiometric ratio, the PCM will make no further changes as combustion will be complete. However, if added in a lean or rich ratio, the PCM will try to adjust the air-fuel ratio accordingly. It is important to note that fuel is fuel and incomplete combustion is what is measured by the presence of free O2 in the exhaust. The desired air-fuel ratio is not always 14:1, as the PCM may call for leaner mixtures during certain conditions.
  • #1
John1397
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Does introducing small amount of hydrogen and oxygen with gasoline into an internal combustion engine make the sensor read lean and and just enter more gasoline?

John
 
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  • #2
what kind of sensor is it? CO2? or O2? Do you measure the combustion products only? Adding hydrogen will will consume O2, but not change CO2 in the products,so an O2 sensor will detect that you are burning richer and a CO2 sensor will not. Adding oxygen will of course make it lean and CO2 and O2 sensors will both pick this up.
 
  • #3
I'm not a chemist but I am an auto tech. My assumption would be that it would depend on the ratio you added those elements. If they were added in a stoichometric ratio then the PCM would make no further changes due to complete combustion (you would get more work out of the engine though). If you added a lean hydrogen/oxygen mixture then the PCM would try and enrichen with gasoline until stoich is achieved and just the opposite would happen if you added a rich ratio.

BTW, auto engines use an O2 sensor. Most PCM's (that's the engine computer) use the O2 sensor to fine tune the air-fuel ratio once the engine is warmed up and running in closed loop mode.
 
  • #4
Sounds like if you put hydrogen or gasoline into a motor the o2 sensor will send back a signal depending if you add to much fuel or to little it would send back a to rich or to lean signal regardless of kind of fuel is added. If you run a motor on 14:1 ratio of either hydrogen, gasoline, or even propane the o2 sensor will send back the same reading if I understand correctly?
 
  • #5
John1397 said:
Sounds like if you put hydrogen or gasoline into a motor the o2 sensor will send back a signal depending if you add to much fuel or to little it would send back a to rich or to lean signal regardless of kind of fuel is added. If you run a motor on 14:1 ratio of either hydrogen, gasoline, or even propane the o2 sensor will send back the same reading if I understand correctly?

Exactly. Fuel is fuel. It's the incomplete combustion that is indirectly measured by the presence of free O2 in the exhaust that makes the engine computer make adjustments.

Also, bear in mind the engine PCM doesn't always desire 14:1. If you're working on a project, bear in mind that leaner mixtures are sometimes commanded by the PCM. Ratio's upwards of 55:1 during coasting can be called for (and some turn off the fuel completely for coasting conditions)
 
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1. What is the chemical formula for water?

The chemical formula for water is H2O, which indicates that it is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

2. How is oxygen and hydrogen introduced into a chemical reaction?

Oxygen and hydrogen can be introduced into a chemical reaction by combining them in the presence of a catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or heat.

3. What is the role of oxygen and hydrogen in cellular respiration?

Oxygen and hydrogen are essential components of cellular respiration, which is the process by which cells produce energy. Oxygen is used to break down glucose molecules, while hydrogen is used to form water as a byproduct.

4. What are the properties of oxygen and hydrogen?

Oxygen is a colorless, odorless gas that is essential for life and highly reactive. Hydrogen is also a colorless, odorless gas and is the most abundant element in the universe.

5. How are oxygen and hydrogen used in industry?

Oxygen and hydrogen are used in various industries, such as in the production of ammonia for fertilizers, in the refining of petroleum, and in the manufacture of plastics and other chemical compounds.

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