Research into the effects of magnetic fields on dielectrics, including fuel, has been ongoing for quite some time.
Specialists in Europe, the USA, and the Soviet Union have dealt with this topic. However, various “fuel activators” and “fuel economizers” have only recently begun to appear on the domestic market.
Manufacturers of such devices, presented as magnets attached to the fuel line, promise a reduction in fuel consumption (up to 20%), a decrease in harmful emissions (up to 30%), and an increase in power output of the engine (up to 20%).
The essence of the promises is that the magnetic field breaks up clusters of molecules in the fuel, transitioning them from a calm state to an excited one. Magnetic resonance occurs, which attracts additional oxygen, the fuel becomes ionized, ultimately leading to more complete combustion of the air-fuel mixture.
Could it be that theoretical scientific works have finally been translated into practical solutions?
The situation looks confusing: in the marketing materials of manufacturers of such magnets, there are far more scientific (and sometimes pseudoscientific) terms than in our description.
Let's try to understand everything in detail.
Composition of “miracle magnets”
Magnets based on a neodymium-iron-boron alloy are used for fuel treatment. These are representatives of a new generation of rare-earth permanent magnets, characterized by maximum values of residual magnetic induction, coercive force, and energy product.
The production of such products is carried out by powder metallurgy in a vacuum or under the protection of inert gases. The application area of neodymium magnets is wide: from lasers, radars, and acoustic systems, and beyond.
Since these magnets are afraid of corrosion, they are coated with layers of copper, nickel, zinc, or gold.
China is considered the main supplier of neodymium to the world market.
How a magnetic field affects matter
Back in the 50s of the last century, scientists established that a magnetic field can influence the molecular structure of matter, and the use of magnetic resonance gives an even more pronounced effect.
A well-known fact: under the influence of a magnet, some materials themselves acquire magnetic properties, and their molecules align in a single direction.
All substances are usually classified as follows:
Ferromagnets and ferrimagnets — these are materials with pronounced “magnetic” properties;
Paramagnets — weakly magnetic substances with a magnetic permeability slightly greater than 1. In an external field, they become magnetized in the direction of this field. Particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) of a paramagnet have their own magnetic moments, which orient along the external field, creating a resultant field that exceeds the original one.
Diamagnets — cover most substances, including carbon, water, and plastic. Their reaction to ordinary magnets is so weak that it is difficult to notice (magnetic permeability below 1).
What about gasoline?
Gasoline is a diamagnet. It is a mixture of light hydrocarbons with a boiling point from 30 to 200 °C, a density of about 0.75 g/cm³, and a calorific value of about 10,500 kcal/kg (46 MJ/kg, 34.5 MJ/liter).
Assumed principle of operation
Gasoline is a dielectric, and dielectrics, when placed in an electric field, undergo polarization.
Consequently, by applying a magnetic field to the fuel, theoretically, one can control the orientation of its molecules.
Moreover, with a rapid change in field strength, the dielectric constant of the substance changes, which depends on frequency, and under certain conditions, magnetic resonance occurs.
Imitation of an alternating magnetic field in activators is created by placing several magnets in sequence.
Resonance, in turn, leads to uneven population of atomic levels in molecules, which causes either anomalous absorption or radio emission.
In other words, a magnetic field can not only “activate” a substance but also generate radio emission.
Why this will not work in practice
It is worth recalling that both gasoline and diesel fuel are diamagnets.
The susceptibility of diamagnets in absolute value for gasoline is very small and almost independent of the magnetic field strength.
The maximum that can be achieved in such an environment is some reorientation of molecules, but this is clearly not enough for a fundamental change in the combustion process.
A powerful magnetic field can indeed have a serious effect on matter — for example, even organic objects can levitate in a strong field.
However, to create such a field, you need not a couple of magnets (even neodymium ones), but a rather bulky installation powered by electricity.
Ionization processes and other phenomena of “activation” of matter during nuclear resonance are indeed possible. This phenomenon is already widely used in science and medicine — just recall the MRI machine.
But another fact must be taken into account: the composition of gasoline includes aromatic, naphthenic, normal paraffinic, and unsaturated hydrocarbons in various proportions. Therefore, the dependence of the resonance frequency (for hydrogen, it is 21.29 MHz at a magnetic induction of 0.5 Tesla) on the specific fuel grade will be very complex and unique.
Consequently, it is possible to induce resonance in fuel, but for each type and composition, its own field frequency will be required (and again, a powerful electrical installation).
In addition, since the effect of the alternating field is achieved by sequentially installed magnets, the frequency of exposure will depend on the speed of fuel flow in the line.
This means that in a car, the fuel must move through the pipeline at a constant speed, and after each refueling, the system must be reconfigured for new impurities in the tank.
Obviously, this is impossible in real conditions.
Conclusions
The physical principles underlying the “miracle magnet” technology are, of course, correct. It is no coincidence that patents have been obtained for these innovations, and some scientists, according to manufacturers, have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
Denying the very fact of the influence of a magnetic field on fuel is also pointless — such influence exists. But here it is appropriate to recall a story from the mid-80s, when radio amateurs in the Soviet Union sought to assemble audio systems with minimal distortion. A result of 0.01% distortion was considered excellent, and especially gifted craftsmen achieved a record 0.005%.
However, the whole point is that the human ear cannot perceive distortion below 0.1%. Of course, such “improved” equipment was objectively better, but all its advantages could only be recorded by measuring instruments, not by the owner himself.
In the case of fuel, the result of the effect of magnets on the fuel line is unlikely to be recorded even by precise measuring instruments.
For the principles described above to work on a passenger car, one would have to use electromagnets, tow a trailer with a generator, and install measuring instruments in the cabin for adjustment.
There is information that in America, such installations are placed on trucks — there is room for such equipment. But implementing these physical principles in a passenger car is quite problematic.
Almost complete combustion of fuel can be quite realistically ensured by an excess of air in the mixture. And to ensure that the fuel is evenly distributed in the mixture, it is supplied under pressure through injectors. Therefore: keep the engine in good condition — this is the real fuel economy.
