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Which unit do I think works? Depends on the definition of "works", as the prez used to say. I don't know of any that efficiently make hydrogen and do the engine controls (new ECM map, new type of O2 sensor for the extremely lean mixture, new fuel injectors for the much lower amount of fuel, new pistons and valves for the new flame propagation regime, etc.) I postulate that there could be one out there that works should it do all of that. Low probability, but not certainty.
Now if you were to put a 6-10 hp steam engine (yes --> steam engine!) in the exhaust stream, you could recapture some of the waste heat to power an electrical generator. You could use it to make H2 if you so desire.
However.... a smarter use would be to convert the entire car to a gas/steam electric car with the engine(s) used to charge the batteries. Much like a diesel train or the new Cat Dozer - the motive force comes from electric motors. They are 2x the efficiency in converting energy to linear motion compared to a gasoline powered Otto 4 cycle. The electricity would come from the battery bank and be charged up while running and once charged higher acceleration would come from the use of the dual generators and battery. Drawback is higher weight, higher complexity etc. But, you would "just" need a 35-40hp gasoline engine and the small steam engine along with 2 generators. The exhaust heat trap to power the steamer and a water to water heat exchanger to pre-heat the steamer water. Plus the "cool factor" would be very high!
jb
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