I call BS.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3.
Vinegar is a fermented ethanol containing acetic acid, HC2H3O2.
When combined, the acid and base combine to create carbonic acid and sodium acetate (a salt):
NaHCO3 + HC2H3O2 -> NaC2H3O2 + H2CO3
The carbonic acid then breaks down into water and carbon dioxide.
H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2
The interesting thing here is that one of the by-products of the chemical reaction, carbon dioxide, is extremely non-flammable. In fact, it is used in fire extinguishers...
The report then goes on to say that electrolysis is used to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. The odd thing is the mention of vinegar. The reason for using sodium bicarbonate would be to improve the rate of the reaction. Water itself is a poor conductor, but using the sodium bicarbonate would provide an electrolyte, allowing for less resistance against the current and therefore speeding up the reaction. Vinegar neutralizes some of the sodium bicarbonate, creates unnecessary byproducts, and lowers the purity of the solution.
Regardless, this is simple electrolysis. The principle is 2 H2O -> 2 H2 + O2, then burning the two gases, 2 H2 + O2 -> H2O (vapor). There is no way, absolutely no way to net energy in this reaction. The only possible way to break even would be to have a 100% efficient process. That would mean 0 resistance to the electrical current in electrolysis, 0 percent loss of either gas, 0 percent loss through ignition, 0 percent mechanical loss through friction or pumping the gases. No engine in existence can get that... The theoretical maximum for hydrolysis is between 84 and 90%.
Converting a gallon of water to hydrogen and oxygen, assuming maximum efficiency, would require 13.7 Kwh. One Kwh = 3413 BTU (British Thermal Units). 13.7 x 3413 = 46758.1 BTU. Burning this amount of hydrogen would net around 46758.1 BTU, assuming maximum efficiency. A gallon of gas contains 124000 BTU. The mechanical resistance from the engine will be the same for both gas and hydrogen. The only possible way this is cost effective is if ~124000 BTUs of energy provided from a wall socket or other electric power source costs less than a gallon of gas. Even then, the initial cost of the unit, the resistance of the water (which will reduces the efficiency of hydrolysis to well below the theoretical 90%), the mechanical resistance, and the resistance in recharging the battery used for hydrolysis will undermine the efficiency of the reaction to next to nothing.
There is no way to make this an energy positive reaction. The laws of physics (namely, the law of conservation of energy) apply. Energy cannot be created or destroyed through a chemical reaction. Hydrolysis and then burning the hydrogen and oxygen creates a closed system. No energy can theoretically be created. The company installing these units is not helping their customers. All they are doing is setting themselves up for a class action lawsuit, which the consumers should easily win.
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