Alchemy in the Desert, Diesel Exhaust into H2O

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.'"

Comments

What?!??!

[mnmn]

"needs about 20 gallons of water a day, for all purposes"

We all know US soldiers are spoilt, but 20 gallons is rediculous. Did the world war 1 solders shower daily? Did the Civil war veterans need Jacuzzis? Its crappy food and rationed water for all other armies, bathe when you run across a river.

"But once you taste the water, you realize the potential."

I'll probably realize the potential too. In fact once I taste THAT water, I'll probably invest in nortel and place advanced orders on Duke Nukem Forever as well.

Re:What?!??!

[mnmn]

What?

Shaving? Out to fight for your country.. and looking awesome.

Towlettes for wiping? Thats new to me.

Food prep? Coffee? thats even more luxurious than my life, all in addition to the paycheck.

If its WAR, its getting people to go and fight. Heck even uniforms are considered too formal, expensive and luxurious for armies in Afghanistan. Youre going to a place where either you or the other person will die. This becomes a matter of life and death. You dont shave, browse the web, drink coffee and watch movies along the way. The survival of the state is also usually at stake, so the soldiers just get by with food, some water (1-2 pints, they usually find more along the way) and MAYBE more shoes if the war drags along for too long.

When the US went to afghanistan to help the 'allied' soldiers, all they were asking for were ammo and shoes. The US gave em nike shoes which you later saw in the time magazines on turbaned men fighting thousands of dediated Taliban, who were much better armed and fed.

The western armies currently are more for foreign policies than actual state war and defence. Soldiers from the US can expect 'peacekeeping' missions in okinawa, kuwait, uzbekistan, italy, germany etc. Theyre just travelling somewhere for the US to make a point. Frequently theyre going to operate computers and tools to work the heavy machinery. Infantry isnt what it used to be.

But for the majority of the worlds armies, its just the survival basics so they wont raze and loot the towns they pass through. They just invest in good weapons. 40 gallons per day IMHO are similar to the US's fuel consumption ratio. Most of it is not needed and just luxury (job perks).