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Alchemy in the Desert, Diesel Exhaust into H2O

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the lets-just-hope-the-motor-pool-has-a-car-that-works dept.

Carl Bialik writes "The Wall Street Journal is reporting that 'Using technologies developed for the space program, the U.S. Army is conducting an experiment that could convert the exhaust pipes of military vehicles into water fountains.' The idea is meant to help alleviate the logistical challenges presented by two essential army liquids: water and diesel fuel. A soldier in the desert needs about 20 gallons of water a day, for all purposes; 'Water gets to the front in vulnerable, slow-moving truck convoys that require armed escorts, or it is pumped from local rivers, lakes or ponds and purified by heavy-duty filters.' And maybe, in the future, it will also be extracted from diesel exhaust. The president of a company that developed the test technology tells the WSJ: 'This is one of those things where, when you first hear about it, you think the scientists have gone out of their minds. But once you taste the water, you realize the potential.'"

4 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. What about the nasties in the exhaust? by ForestGrump · · Score: 1, Interesting

    We all know vehicle exhaust is pretty nasty.

    Anyone know how the filtration system performs in regards to removing exhaust toxins(benzene, sulfates, etc)?

    Grump.

    --
    Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
  2. Moisture farming? by rdwald · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Hamilton Sundstrand...also is completing a $1 million contract for a high-powered dehumidifier the size of a dorm-room refrigerator that can extract water vapor from the air, even in the desert. The Army plans to display the water-from-air box this week in Washington, D.C., at the annual convention of the Association of the U.S. Army, a lobbying and support group for active and retired personnel.

    They've invented vaporators!
  3. Re:What?!??! by Handpaper · · Score: 3, Interesting
    You beat me to it.
    I would add, though, that throughout the Napoleonic wars, and wherever in the world they operated at that time (including the Caribbean and Mediterranean), the Royal Navy's water ration was "one gallon per man, per day, for all purposes". This was an Imperial gallon, about ten US pints, but it shows what can be done if you try :)

  4. Re:What?!??! by sexylicious · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Yes, and you could always smell the British and French before you saw them. ;)

    Actually, in the heat, the Army wants you to drink a gallon every four hours. And living in the high desert in California, I can honestly tell you that just breathing dehydrates you because the air is so dry. And it's not even as hot as the middle east!

    I would think the rest of the water is for shaving, face washing, food preparation, coffee, and cleaning. Showers aren't done too often unless you are near a base. Instead you use moist towelletes to clean your pits, genitals, and ass. This keeps bacteria from growing in those places,which can slow a person down tremendously. That is if you elect to, some people get away with not cleaning themselves.