Navy Lab creates fuel from seawater

http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/news-releases/2014/scale-model-wwii-craft-takes-flight-with-fuel-from-the-sea-concept

"Navy researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Materials Science and Technology Division, demonstrate proof-of-concept of novel NRL technologies developed for the recovery of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) from seawater and conversion to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel."

Using this fuel, "The research team demonstrated sustained flight of a radio-controlled (RC) P-51 replica of the legendary Red Tail Squadron, powered by an off-the-shelf (OTS) and unmodified two-stroke internal combustion engine."

"The predicted cost of jet fuel using these technologies is in the range of $3-$6 per gallon, and with sufficient funding and partnerships, this approach could be commercially viable within the next seven to ten years."

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iavz7AnKI8I#t=97

I knew I was living too far from the ocean...

If they start producing it at $3 a gallon, I predict gas prices will drop to $2.50 the next day.

that is cool, that would lead to unlimited range for vessels.

Most large ships already have unlimited range (Nuke powah!). The only reason they need to go to a port is because there are people on board that do NOT have unlimited range.

So this process is 92% efficient. In other words, you take 100% energy of some type and put it into the system. The system spits out fuel that is 92% of the energy you put into the system.

I are confusseed

Rob R.

wvumtnbkr wrote: Most large ships already have unlimited range (Nuke powah!). The only reason they need to go to a port is because there are people on board that do NOT have unlimited range. So this process is 92% efficient. In other words, you take 100% energy of some type and put it into the system. The system spits out fuel that is 92% of the energy you put into the system. I are confusseed Rob R.

That is something I wish more people would consider when thinking about alternative fuels. How much energy is required to get the new fuel into a usable state?

If they can take the stupid windmills off the grid and make fuel with them then I don't care how efficient they are, it would be better overall than corn into ethanol.

Before anyone thinks physics is broken, let's be clear that they're turning seawater and berkeleytons of electricity into fuel.

Still very cool. This means that a carrier could generate fuel for its planes with electricity from its reactor and seawater.

Fun fact: I pay more than $6 per gallon for gas right now.

I think I read about this in a Clive Cussler book a decade or so ago.

Toyman01 wrote: If they start producing it at $3 a gallon, I predict gas prices will drop to $2.50 the next day.

Toyman has it right. We're not paying $4 a gallon because it costs that much to make. When the price was run up years ago that's the price point where people stopped driving so the oil companies decided that was the most they could charge.

If this takes off the oil companies will just drop their price until dino juice is competitive again.

Right, the fuel is an energy storage medium but isn't a source of energy exactly.

Xceler8x wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: If they start producing it at $3 a gallon, I predict gas prices will drop to $2.50 the next day.

Toyman has it right. We're not paying $4 a gallon because it costs that much to make. When the price was run up years ago that's the price point where people stopped driving so the oil companies decided that was the most they could charge. If this takes off the oil companies will just drop their price until dino juice is competitive again.

It will also mean certain gasoline sources would no longer be profitable. Oil sands and synthetic gas would be the first to go. The middle eastern countries that can easily suck oil out of the ground would be the most profitable.

Hey here's an idea. With this process you can control where the carbon in the gas comes from. That means that if the electricity comes from a carbon-neutral source you could make carbon-neutral gas, and therefore a carbon-neutral gas-powered car.

GameboyRMH wrote: Still very cool. This means that a carrier could generate fuel for its planes with electricity from its reactor and seawater.

And the amount of power required is also why the Enterprise and Nimitz class carriers are being replaced.

The Gerry class will have a lot more POWAH!!!!!!

I think the need for more power had more to do with running railguns...

Edit: Oh and electromagnetic catapults.

dculberson wrote: Right, the fuel is an energy storage medium but isn't a source of energy exactly.

Correct, it's basically a very energy-dense battery that lets the Navy use nuclear power to run their existing aircraft.

I've been saying for a while that the best "electric car" would be a technology that lets you use electricity (probably nuclear) plus CO2 and H2O to make gasoline. You don't have all the range and charging drawbacks of electric cars, you get to reuse all of the existing infrastructure for fueling vehicles, but it avoids all of the concerns relating to pumping oil out of the ground.

They also have an electric rail gun that makes me want to make a DIY version.

something else to consider when you talk about the efficiency of fuel.. how much energy is spent refining it from crude oil to a usable and burnable liquid?

This just in: entropy is still a thing

It's cool research. It'll only get better. I can't say I'm surprised it's the US Navy working on it - at least, working on it and talking about it.

GameboyRMH wrote: Oil sands ... would be the first to go.

Nope. These plants will run for the next 70 to 100 years. Just ask Syncrude, an oilsands plant that has been running since the early 70's and produces (IIRC) about 200,000 barrels per day.

Spoiler alert: oilsands plants are profitable at $60/barrel. Don't kid yourself, they are raking in money hand over fist. They just won't be doing the nucking futs amounts of expanding/construction they've been doing.

Anywho, as for the OP: use renewable resources to power it (wind and solar). Essentially 100% efficient as the "fuel" is "free".

codrus wrote:

dculberson wrote: Right, the fuel is an energy storage medium but isn't a source of energy exactly.

Correct, it's basically a very energy-dense battery that lets the Navy use nuclear power to run their existing aircraft. I've been saying for a while that the best "electric car" would be a technology that lets you use electricity (probably nuclear) plus CO2 and H2O to make gasoline. You don't have all the range and charging drawbacks of electric cars, you get to reuse all of the existing infrastructure for fueling vehicles, but it avoids all of the concerns relating to pumping oil out of the ground.

This, if we had energy so cheap the cost were negligible (probably thorium liquid salt reactors) it would be easy to scrub CO2 out of the air, break down water, and make synthetic gasoline and diesel at or below today's prices.

GameboyRMH wrote: Edit: Oh and electromagnetic catapults.

Why did I imagine a magnetic powered medieval wooden trebuchet?