Science or mumbo jumbo?

http://www.broquet.com/
http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/

I saw an article about this technology recently and the test seemed positive.

Does anyone have any experience or, god forbid, an opinion on this technology.

 

According to their website:

" IT BREAKS DOWN THE LONG-CHAIN HYDROCARBONS INTO SMALLER, MORE COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS "

That's the absolute last thing you want, even if it were true (which I very strongly doubt). Running an engine at high compression and spark advance with lean mixture gives high power but relies on the fuel actually being harder to ignite. High octane fuel is actually less "combustible".

I once worked at a petrochemicals factory. They do indeed catalytically "crack" hydrocarbons into smaller components, but it's done at extrememly high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It's also done in a massive furnace. Even with a catalyst you need to supply energy to initiate this reaction. It's not going to happen at ambient temperature in your fuel line when the fuel is being pumped through at a high rate.

Oh and one more thing. If this really worked don't you think the car makers would be leaping to fit them as OEM to meet ever tougher emissions and fuel economy requirements?

Doesn't this thing remind you of Peter Brock's "Energy Polariser" back in the 80's? Holden thought it (among other things) was bad enough PR to drop him.

 

That is true, high octane fuel is less prone to detonate.