Water gas technology is becoming a hot, hot and hot topic these days - and why not, with the fuel prices reaching the roof and all. It seems that everyone is saying that this is the solution to our fuel dependency problems. We can finally run our cars on tap water alone - a concept that we have earlier though to be a pipe dream and nothing more. But is this really possible?

Clearing up water gas technology misconceptions

Before we go any further, we need to clarify one or more misconceptions in this regard.

One: the water gas technology cannot afford us the power to run our cars on mere tap water alone - at least not on the commercial level. Rather, we use H2O (also known as HHO) as a fuel economy booster; or some element we could use to maximize our car's fuel use. We still need to buy gas with this technology.

In automobile history, the only time that water has successfully been used as fuel source was when engines ran with steam power. The locomotive industry used this extensively for years. However, steam powered engines are cumbersome and bulky, and needs a large storage of fuel source like coal or wood. These are definitely not something you can install in modern day cars.

Two: not all ready made engines can use water gas technology. Most, if not all of these said engines will have to undergo necessary makeovers.

Three: although there are many online companies now offering do-it-yourself manuals on how to convert your car's engine to something that can use the water gas technology, it would still be better to have a professional mechanic or engine builder perform the necessary changes. Otherwise, you will only be putting your car (and you!) in danger.

How does water gas technology really work?

To simplify matters, we are going to couch this explanation in layman's terms. Water gas technology would obviously need more specialized equipment to process the water as fuel economy booster. You would need a water reservoir to place in your tap water; an HHO generator that will separate the two elements of hydrogen and oxygen; and HHO cells which will finally convert the separated elements into energy (hydroxyl gas.)

The actual process goes:

1. Water is introduced to the water reservoir. Usually, there is a particular ratio (depending on many factors like: car make, engine make, and other additional engine components) as to how much water should be added for an amount of gas. Let us just say that for this particular example we will have 1:10 ratio, where 1 is the gas liter and 10 is the water liter.

2. The generator creates an electric spark that eventually heats up the water as it flow from the reservoir to HHO cells. The cells in turn separate the elements of water: hydrogen and oxygen.

3. Oxygen is released as a by product of this process which is less toxic than most fuel emissions.

4. Hydrogen is also a gaseous element which is then mixed with the small amount of gas in the tank. This can be done through the installation of vacuum tubes from the hydrogen producing cells to the actual car engine. The resulting hydrogen-water mixture has enough power to run the car or any light vehicle for a period of time.