Purdue Makes Trash To Electricity Generator

musicon writes "A group of scientists at Purdue University have created a portable refinery that efficiently converts food, paper, and plastic trash into electricity. The machine, designed for the U.S. military, would allow soldiers in the field to convert waste into power. It could also have widespread civilian applications in the future. Researchers tested the first tactical biorefinery prototype in November and found that it produced approximately 90 percent more energy than it consumed."

Comments

Perfect for military operations?

[Askmum]

Also, by eliminating garbage remnants - known in the military as a unit's "signature" - it could protect the unit's security by destroying clues that such refuse could provide to enemies.

So, the next Navy Seal team to go into a secret ops mission into Iraq takes along a small moving van in order to burn up their waste.
That, and the added sound pollution of the running diesel engine will not alert the enemy at all.

Seems logical.