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US Army Pursues Hydrogen Fuel Concepts

securitas writes "According to GlobeTechnology/AP, the US Army is excited about the potential of hydrogen-powered tanks. The interest is the result of a technology demonstration that took place at Auburn University in December. Scientists have invented a process that removes the carbon and sulfur from hydrocarbon fuels like oil and gasoline. Hydrogen-powered vehicles could go three times farther than diesel-powered counterparts. DoD officials say 'it costs about $40 to move one gallon of diesel fuel from Kuwait to Baghdad.' The new process could let them take advantage of the existing oil industry infrastructure. Auburn University scientists 'realized there is already a lot of hydrogen in hydrocarbon fuel' and 'took jet fuel, which is very similar to diesel, and catalytically converted it, separating out the sulfur, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the fuel cell ran.' The Auburn team is now pursuing military funding."

3 of 442 comments (clear)

  1. Re:oil is the source? by dave420 · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Stop trying to defend America's shitty foreign policy.

    True, Palestine has nothing to do with oil, but by the same logic America should have nothing to do with Israel, and look how that's going.

    The US is in Iraq partly for the oil, and partly because one of America's old friends got a bit too big for his boots. There was no humanitarian reason. America only cares about Americans - everyone knows that.

    We know everyone's shafted when the oil runs out. However, not all nations on earth insist on wasting so much of it every day. Stupid gas-guzzing SUVs clogging up US streets doing 1mpg. Wow. Way to go.

    America is doing nothing to solve the problem. As usual, the american principle of superficiality comes in to its own. The stop-gap solution is the best for the US government, as they're only going to be in power for a short time. Instead of working on a solution to decrease everyone's dependence on oil, they just want to secure more. That helps no-one in the long run.

    There is absolutely, positively no way on earth anyone can justify the US government's foreign policy. Seriously. It's a joke.

  2. Re: Tanks? by diersing · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    And the Hindenburg proved Hyrdogen can easily handle minor problems.

  3. Great, this is the reason I left Auburn. by johnny+cashed · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    More defense funded research. Fuck that. That is why I quit working for Auburn. Most of the research I was involved in was DoD funded. After the iraq war started I couldn't continue to do research funded by the DoD. A friend of mine did fuel cell research at Auburn. I hope he doesn't have any conflicts. There is nothing worse than seeing your work perverted into being used for an offensive war that was not needed. Fuck the DoD!!