An Approach to Assessing the Technical Feasibility and Market Potential of a New Automotive Device
Save the World Air (STWA) has developed magnet-based devices, including its Zero Emission Fuel Saver (ZEFS™), that it claims can improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce emissions. These devices are designed to be fitted as original equipment onto internal combustion engines or to be retrofitted onto existing engines. STWA asked the RAND Corporation to help develop a plan for assessing the technical basis required for successful commercialization of ZEFS. STWA also sought RAND’s advice in examining potential market opportunities for ZEFS. This report summarizes RAND’s analysis of these two issues, concluding the following. Application of magnetic fields has not been shown in the literature to lower the viscosity of automotive fuels. Along with empirical testing, establishing a theoretical basis underlying the effect of magnetic fields on fuel viscosity, surface tension, and atomization might provide useful information for developing and evaluating magnetic field-based fuel treatment devices. So far, the test results for use of the device are, at best, mixed. Should further laboratory analysis and in-use testing provide clearer and more positive outcomes, the market potential for the device will depend significantly on the advances realized from other technologies and regulatory policies and on its cost-effectiveness relative to other outcomes.
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Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 76
- List Price: $23.00
- Price: $18.40
- ISBN/EAN: 978-0-8330-4162-3
- Document Number: TR-313-STWA
- Year: 2007
- Series: Technical Reports
Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Understanding the Scientific Basis of the ZEFS
Chapter Three
Results of Vehicle Tests
Chapter Four
Identifying Markets for the ZEFS Device
Chapter Five
Findings and Conclusions
Appendix A
Selected Publications Relating to Magnetic Treatment of Fuel
Appendix B
Results of Two-Sample t-Tests on Data from California and Thailand Testing Laboratories
The research described in this report was conducted under the auspices of the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program (EEED) within RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment (ISE).
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