Blore students design auto that runs on water
R V Engineering College students have designed a hybrid auto that runs on water as well as LPG, emits almost no pollutants and gives better mileage …….MADHUPRIYA
BANGALORE: Here comes the ultimate solution for those smokespewing autos giving everyone a hard time on the road: An auto fuelled by water. This water-powered hybrid auto is the creation of eight engineering students from R V Engineering College, Bangalore.
The kit designed by the team breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then supplies hydrogen as fuel to the engine along with a sufficient quantity of oxygen to facilitate combustion. The mobile kit is placed under the passengers seat and is directly connected to the fuel tank which contains distilled water with a small quantity of Potassium Hydroxide. The driver has to check once in two or three days to ensure that the water level is optimum.
This vehicle was the result of 26 weeks of hard work put in by the rickshaw team comprising mechanical engineering students Ashwin Gopalakrishnan, Abhinandan Shetty, Chetan L; electrical engineering students Shrey Tamhaney, Abhishek Khamrai and Varun Mundra; and first year engineering students Rajiv Basavaraj Hirur and Karthik Sivaram. They were guided by Prof N Shanmuga, their principal, automobile companies like Bosch and experts from the Indian Institute of Science.
It doesnt mean you do away with gas altogether. Unfortunately, such levels of sophistication have not arrived yet. Karthik explains that theirs is not a total alternative to petrol or gas, but works along with a fuel like LPG.
The team subjected their module to rigorous tests to get better mileage and less emission. A normal auto emits 2,800 to 3,000 ppm of hydrocarbons and 3.5 per cent carbon monoxide. But our kit emits 21 ppm of hydrocarbons and 0.033 per cent monoxide, explains Abhinandan. A normal auto gives a mileage of 20 to 23 kilometres per litre while the hybrid auto delivers 28 to 30 kilometres per litre.
The kit costs about Rs 4,000. The team is looking forward to take part in the Hybrid Auto Rickshaw Battle to be held in Chennai between July 22 and 25.
The water-powered hybrid auto. Top view of the kit installed