Ray Russ, inventor of the H Factor system, illustrates how the system works on his Ford F250 diesel truck. Photo by Jonathan Nolte

Can hydrogen take some of the pain out of gasoline prices? Ray Russ thinks so.

Russ says that his invention, the H Factor, could increase vehicle fuel economy by up to 30 percent and reduce emissions. He plans to manufacture a product in Boerne to do just that.

Matt Diana of the Boerne Chamber of Commerce says Russ has discussed the concept with him.

“We want to use the resources of the (Kendall County) EDC to back any company that’s going to make it in Boerne,” Diana said. He still has questions about the patent status, third-party testing, warranty and safety of the product.

“Even if you drive like a digbat, we can help you out,” said Russ, noting that driving habits hamper fuel economy. He said that his 2008 Ford F250 averages 17 to 21 miles per gallon with the H Factor instead of 12-14 mpg without it.

Russ explained that an engine never burns all of the fuel that goes through it, wasting energy and emitting greenhouse gases. “If your tailpipe is sooty, you’re wasting money,” he said.

The H Factor extracts small amounts of hydrogen gas from distilled water and injects the hydrogen into the combustion chamber in controlled amounts. Hydrogen reportedly helps fuel to burn more efficiently, therefore increasing fuel economy.

The system will cost $500 and Russ says that the average amateur home mechanic can install it successfully. He plans to sell the system to individuals and to car dealers to install in customers’ vehicles. Russ says that the H Factor will not void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Kenneth Golding of Golding Motors Inc. in San Saba, Texas, is eager to be among the first to start installing H Factor systems in customers’ vehicles in July. He has one in his Ford F250, which he drives daily.

“I can testify that the H Factor system will, after installation increase fuel economy 10 to 30 percent,” Golding said.

If the idea takes off, Russ plans to keep all of the manufacturing in Boerne. He says that meeting demand with small-scale production should be achievable at first, but he fears that he may quickly become back-logged because of demand.

Russ says he has been working independently on this project for the past two and one-half years. He is looking for investors and would consider selling the concept to a larger manufacturer only if that company would continue to keep his ideals alive and keep it affordable.

Several other companies sell similar “Brown’s Gas” systems in the form of instruction kits and custom, one-off jobs, but the H Factor will be the first to be mass-produced and readily available to consumers, Russ said.

“My hope in that we cause a shift in this country on how we think about fuel,” he said. “Hydrogen is the next ‘big oil.’”

For more, see www.hfactorfs.com.