The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Cr6 hexavalant chromium from hydroxy boosters?

July 10, 2009

Hello, I have a question not direct to the plating industry, but perhaps of interest enough to solicit you interest....
There is a growing cottage industry called Hydroxy Boosters for increasing mileage on automobile engines. These are electrolyzing units of stainless steel plates using KOH or vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] catalyst to create hydrogen gas that is fed into the air intake for a cleaner burn of fuel.
It is growing exponentially on the internet.
But there is a problem in that the electrolyte water becomes contaminated with Cr/6.
I am trying to research to determine the level of environmental and health threat. I am posting here in the hope that someone can guide me in an approach to determining this level.
Any suggestions, besides EPA, on determining how dangerous these new products are?
Thank you,

Jeremy Lynes
researcher - Atlanta, Georgia

---

Don't worry about Cr+6, since this scheme is a fraud anyway. You cannot get more energy from burning hydrogen than you expend electrolyzing it from water in the first place.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
July 13, 2009

---

Hi, Jeffrey. Your second sentence is true beyond doubt. But your first sentence is not necessarily true unless you have tried it, or have read about results in Consumer Reports or science magazines, or have other reason to be sure it doesn't work. Because there is always the possibility that the tiny amount of hydrogen or other products that are generated act as some kind of catalyst rather than as a source of energy. I tend to dismiss that possibility myself because very little unburned fuel exits the system.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 14, 2009

---

I have two questions to start with. The Cr+6 is coming from where; supposedly leaching from the stainless? To what level is it leaching, how much? I am not sure I believe the claims to begin with, but if we are looking at the impact of the Cr+6, that is secondary.

David J. Wolf
Medina, Ohio
July 14, 2009

---

Well, Ted, I suppose it is "possible" that the correct incantation can turn lead into gold too, but don't bet the farm on it.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
July 24, 2009

---

I have read that by running an electrical charge through stainless steel to make hydrogen which is then used to run internal combustion engines leaves hexavalent chromium in the water and needs to be handled as toxic waste.

Can you advise?

Melvin C Green
- Ridge, Maryland
August 18, 2009