“Distilled Water – The Core Ingredient for 100% Green Hydrogen Engines.”
The cleanest path to fuel cell innovation and emission-free energy.
The concept of using distilled water as a source for hydrogen in a 100% green hydrogen gas-based engine is an exciting area of innovation for next generation
“Next-Gen Fuel: Distilled Water Powers the Future of 100% Green Hydrogen Engines.”
Clean. Efficient. Limitless.
Green Hydrogen Gas Production:
– Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, a process that uses renewable electricity (e.g., from solar or wind) to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). Distilled water is often used in this process because it lacks impurities that could interfere with the efficiency of the electrolyser
– Companies like Infinium and others are developing systems to produce green hydrogen from water using renewable energy, which is then used as a clean fuel.
Hydrogen Gas as a Fuel:
– Hydrogen Gas can be used in two primary ways for vehicle propulsion:
“Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE)”: These engines burn hydrogen in a modified internal combustion engine, similar to traditional gasoline engines. The combustion of hydrogen produces water vapor as the primary byproduct, making it a zero-carbon emission fuel in terms of CO₂. However, it can produce small amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) due to high combustion temperatures in the presence of nitrogen and oxygen.
Fuel Cells: These convert hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction, powering electric motors. The only byproduct is water, making it a true zero-emission solution.
– Both methods are being explored by companies like Toyota, Hyundai, Volvo, and Cummins, with some focusing on HICE for its compatibility with existing engine designs and others on fuel cells for their efficiency and zero-emission
Distilled Water in Engines:
– Claims about engines running directly on distilled water, as mentioned in some sources, typically refer to systems where water is used as a feedstock to produce hydrogen gas on-demand via electrolysis. For example, technologies like the D-HAT™ system by Hodtec use a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) to generate hydrogen from distilled water onboard a vehicle, which is then injected into the engine to enhance combustion efficiency.
Benefits of Hydrogen-Based Engines:
Environmental Impact Green hydrogen, when produced using renewable energy, is carbon-neutral and produces no CO₂ emissions during combustion or use in fuel cells. HICEs produce water vapor, while fuel cells produce only water.
Efficiency and Familiarity: HICEs are similar to traditional engines, reducing the need for entirely new infrastructure or retraining for maintenance. They can achieve efficiencies comparable to or slightly better than gasoline engines, with some systems offering up to 15% higher output than gasoline engines when using direct injection.
Applications: Hydrogen engines are being developed for heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, buses, ships) and even aircraft, where range and refueling speed are critical advantages over battery-electric vehicles.
Challenge:
Cost: Green hydrogen production is currently expensive due to the high cost of renewable electricity and electrolysers. Scaling up production and reducing costs are critical for widespread adoption.
Infrastructure: Hydrogen refuelling stations are limited, and producing, storing, and transporting hydrogen safely requires significant investment. Onboard hydrogen generation from distilled water, as in some proposed systems, eliminates storage needs but introduces complexity and efficiency losses.
Energy Requirements: Electrolysis requires substantial energy, and onboard systems like D-HAT™ rely on the vehicle’s alternator, which may reduce overall efficiency unless powered by renewable sources.
Public Perception and Safety: Hydrogen’s association with past incidents like the Hindenburg disaster raises safety concerns, though modern storage and handling technologies have significantly improved safety.
Current Developments:
AVL (Austria): Developed a hydrogen combustion engine with water vapor as the primary exhaust, showcasing progress toward cleaner transport.
Toyota and Yamaha: Collaborating on a 5.0-liter V8 hydrogen engine, potentially for passenger cars, with a target for deployment in 2025.
Volvo: Developing hydrogen combustion engines for trucks, using biodiesel as a pilot fuel to ignite hydrogen, with on-road tests planned for 2026.
Cummins: Advancing hydrogen internal combustion engines for heavy-duty applications, emphasizing their robustness and compatibility with existing technology.
Wartsila: Launched a large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant, certified for quality and safety, aimed at decarbonizing energy systems.
Startups and Innovators: Companies like Hodtec are developing onboard hydrogen generation systems using distilled water, though these are primarily for enhancing diesel engine efficiency rather than fully replacing fuel.
Market Size & Forecasts: 2025–2035 and Beyond Summary Table: Next 15 Years (2025–2040)
| Segment | 2024 Estimate | ~2034 Forecast | CAGR | |
| Total H₂ Market | $155 B (2022) | $550–560 B (2034) | ~9 % | |
| Green Hydrogen | $4 B (2022) | Rapid 30–40 % CAGR; $1 T+ by 2050 | ~38 % (2025–30) | |
| Infrastructure | $5.9 B (2024) | $15.4 B (2034) | ~10 % | |
| Hydrogen Generation (Electrolysers) | $186 B (2024) | ~$360 B (2030 est.) | ~9–10 % | |
| Fuel-Cell Engines & Vehicles | $7 B (2025) | $96 B (2037) | ~23 % | |
| Volumetric Output | 94 Mt (2021) | 140 Mt (2034) | ~3.6 % |
