|
Hydrogen
Boost Passes Colorado Rapid Screen
Emissions
Test
 
 In last month’s issue of our newsletter
we reported on John Vine’s Test results on his Oldsmobile Silhouette
minivan, seeing an average of over 30% increase in mileage. This was consistent with the controlled
test we did after installation using the Scangauge. In John’s report he mentioned the
Colorado alternative emissions test called Rapid Screen.
John
directed me to the web site that explains the Rapid Screen emissions test http://www.aircarecolorado.com/rapidscreen/about.html
. Here is some information from
that site.
An alternative to standard emissions testing, RapidScreen gives you the opportunity to have your
vehicle’s emissions screened as you drive, rather than having to visit an
emissions testing facility. If you record two clean RapidScreen
readings within a ten-month window in the year prior to your registration
renewal, you’ll receive a notification in the mail on your vehicle’s
registration renewal card. If you choose to accept RapidScreen’s
clean readings, simply pay your emissions fee along with your
registration renewal fee, and you’re good to go. If you wish not to
participate, you’ll need to receive a standard emissions test at your
local testing facility—in which case your emissions fee would be due at
the time of that test.
To
ensure accurate and uncontaminated readings, the emissions limits for RapidScreen
are stricter than those of a standard tailpipe emissions test. Therefore, it’s
possible to fail a RapidScreen test, but still
be able to pass emissions at an Air Care Colorado testing facility. If
your vehicle fails to meet RapidScreen’s strict
qualifications, the need for a standard emissions test will be indicated
on your registration renewal card.
How It Works
View Illustration
RapidScreen
testing vans set up at highway on-ramps and other locations where
vehicles are accelerating or driving uphill at a moderate speed, because these
conditions generate the most representative sample of a vehicle’s exhaust
emissions.
As a vehicle passes by, the roadside testing equipment
is able to analyze the vehicle’s exhaust in less than a second. Here’s
how RapidScreen works:
1) The vehicle first passes through speed and
acceleration detectors, while an image of the license plate is recorded
for identification.
2) The vehicle then passes through the infrared and
ultraviolet beams of the emissions analyzer. A laser light source directs
the beams across the road, where they are bounced off mirrors and
directed back to a detector module. As the light beams are broken by the
vehicle’s exhaust plume, the detector module measures the levels of
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen in
the plume.
To ensure accurate,
uncontaminated readings, RapidScreen testing
vans do not operate during rain, snow, high winds or other adverse
weather conditions. RapidScreen also holds to
stricter emissions limits than those of a standard tailpipe emissions
test.
Fran’s comments:
Notice the statement in the fourth paragraph above in bold maroon
print: the emissions limits for RapidScreen
are stricter than those of a standard tailpipe emissions test. Since John’s Hydrogen Boost equipped
vehicle passed this test, we are pleased to confirm that this is
consistent with all we have said about emissions improvements with the
complete Hydrogen Boost system.
Details are at http://www.hydrogen-boost.com/August%202006.html and
http://www.hydrogen-boost.com/October%202007.html
and
http://www.hydrogen-boost.com/September%202008.html
.
Follow-up from
George:
Hi Fran!
I just wanted to drop you a
short note to say that the hydrogen boost system you installed for me is
netting me much higher tank averages in the cold weather than I was
getting last year. (From 29-31 to 35-37 mpg's). I am very
happy with the system. Of course, I can't finish the letter without
a question, and it's not a big deal. I was just curious about the
water consumption of the hydrogen generator. You installed my
system back on October 21st, I believe. I've driven more than three
thousand miles since and I'm still on my first gallon of distilled
water. I have less than 1/4 of a gallon left. I would have
thought that I would have used more than that by now. Any
thoughts? It's still pulling between 15 and 20 amps when fully warmed.
I just got back from a road trip to Quakertown, PA, and I averaged about
43 mpg's both ways. I think it would have been higher without the
high winds that day. OK, that's all for now.
Sincerely,
George Sills
Hartford, CT.
Fran’s response:
You
are making an average of 1.5 liters gas per minute. There are 1860
liters of gas in one liter of water. That would be 1240 minutes
driving per liter of water. You have used 3 liters of water or 3720
minutes or 62 hours of driving. So if you have driven less than
3100 miles since October, your water usage is about right.
Thanks
for the update. Your average mileage compared to last winter
confirms a 20% increase as is typical with our testing. Thanks for
additional independent testing.
Keep
up the good work helping the planet,
Fran
|