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Powering the U.S. Army of the Future (2021) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix G: Aluminum Fuel
Pages 169-172

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From page 169...
... Using the activated aluminum reaction, proof-of-concept prototypes have been built to power: a one-man-portable battery charging system; a BMW sedan; a two-stroke combustion engine; a 100 W fuel cell driving a watercraft motor; and to inflate a stratospheric balloon with hydrogen lifting gas. Reaction heat has also been used to produce the pressure needed for reverse osmosis water purification.
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From page 170...
... Reactant water impurities carried over into the hydrogen and steam off-gas stream could foul fuel cell membranes -- a problem already constraining use of reformed fossil fuel sources. Liquid effluent characteristics also would be strongly influenced by ingredients and reaction conditions.
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From page 171...
... Activated aluminum and locally available water could produce hydrogen in forward areas to fuel cells on electric vehicles. Reactors and fueling stations could be located in forward bases; hydrogen fuel cells would have reduced thermal, noise, and visible exhaust signatures compared to current com bustion engine technologies.
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From page 172...
... Field Manual FM 4-193 outlined procedures to produce hydrogen in the field using an aluminum-caustic reactor in forward locations. Each of the military services has contemporary programs to deploy stratospheric balloons for surveillance and communications; the Navy has demonstrated rapid inflation of balloons with hydrogen lift gas.
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Key Terms

  • activation metals
  • fuel cells
  • fuel cell
  • reactant water
  • produce hydrogen

  • liquid effluent
  • aluminum technology
  • locally available
  • military applications
  • base camps

  • energy storage
  • reaction heat
  • military application
  • reaction proceeds
  • saline water

  • hydrogen technologies
  • support base
  • reduce logistic
  • marine corps
  • internal combustion

  • signatures compared
  • energy source
  • water purification
  • energy sources
  • common oils

  • useful fuel
  • electric vehicles
  • renewable energy
  • various energy
  • hydrogen close


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