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:: 1.21.2004 ::
Imagine the US cuts its consumption of oil in half...
... well this technology could actually improve on that. The DOD is looking into converting its verhicles to fuel cell technology, potentially raising the bar to 90mi per gallon. Why? To save money - currently it costs the US $40 to move a gallon of diesel from Kuwait to Bagdad. Scientists at Auburn University held a demonstration in December where they "took jet fuel, which is very similar to diesel, and catalytically converted it, separating out the sulfur, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide," and then ran a fuel cell on the result. Those present were apparently impressed.
However, the technology isn't quite ready for the big time - On a technological-readiness scale of one to 10, one being the theory stage and 10 being ready for mass market, the design of the hydrogen-based fuel-cell is at a four or five, Tatarchuk said.
For widespread military applications, however, a lot of work needs to be done, he said. That work entails re-engineering of the entire military inventory and upgrading the legacy fleet.
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How fast the technology will get here will depend on how much the national, state and local leadership focus on making research dollars available, he said.
:: Deb 2:46 PM :: permalink ::
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