OCENA POTENCJAŁU GAZU BROWNA (HHO) W ZMNIEJSZENIU ZUŻYCIA OLEJU NAPĘDOWEGO W MAŁYCH SILNIKACH

Norbert Dudda; Michał Janulin

doi:10.31648/ts.12677

An assessment of the potential of Brown's Gas (HHO) to reduce diesel fuel consumption in small engines

Norbert Dudda

Michał Janulin

Katedra Pojazdów i Maszyn, Wydział Nauk Technicznych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31648/ts.12677

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of Brown’s gas (HHO), produced by water electrolysis, on diesel fuel consumption in a small compression-ignition engine driving a stationary generator set. The tests were performed under six electrical load conditions and three fuelling variants: diesel fuel only, diesel with approximately 117 l/h HHO, and diesel with approximately 140 l/h HHO. Diesel fuel consumption was measured gravimetrically, while HHO flow rate and electrolyzer electrical demand were monitored during the measurements. The results indicate that HHO addition may reduce the measured diesel fuel consumption under selected operating conditions; however, the magnitude of this reduction is limited and depends on load and HHO flow rate. Moreover, the electrical power required to generate HHO exceeded the energetic benefit resulting from the observed diesel fuel savings. Therefore, the tested on-board-type HHO system should not be considered energetically or economically justified when powered from the vehicle electrical system. The study contributes a practical assessment of a commercially available HHO kit under stationary-engine operating conditions, with particular emphasis on the energy balance of the system.

Keywords:

Electrolysis, HHO, Exhaust emissions, Combustion engine, Brown Gas, Fuel consumption

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Published

2026-08-21

Cited by

Dudda, N., & Janulin, M. (2026). An assessment of the potential of Brown’s Gas (HHO) to reduce diesel fuel consumption in small engines. Technical Sciences, 29(29), 191–202. https://doi.org/10.31648/ts.12677