autoevolution
 

U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Could Soon Use Innovative Fuel Made From Seawater

Seawater could be the answer for developing alternative fuels. And not just any fuel, but one that could be used by aircraft carriers to power jets on board.
USS Gerald R. Ford is one of Navy's aircraft carriers that could benefit from the seawater-to-fuel technology. 1 photo
Photo: USS Gerald R. Ford - CVN 78/Facebook
The Department of Defense Office of Naval Research has awarded $300,000 to the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Rochester, for an ongoing research project that is developing seawater-to-fuel technology. The project began in April and will continue for 2 years.

The concept is not a new one and scientists have been working on improving this technology for several years. The idea behind it is that ships could be able to convert seawater into fuel. More precisely, carbon dioxide and hydrogen could be extracted from water, by using a nuclear reactor on board, and then transformed into liquid fuel.

The Navy would benefit the most from this technology, because aircraft carriers could make their own fuel and use it to power their jets on a continuous basis, instead of having to wait for tanker ships.

What this research project aims to do is to create catalysts that can improve the process, and do so in a more efficient and affordable manner. In order for seawater to be converted into fuel, the first step is to convert carbon dioxide (CO2), after extracting it from water, into carbon monoxide (CO). Then, different types of catalysts need to be used for hydrogenating the carbon monoxide into fuels.

The team has already accomplished the first phase of the fuel synthesis, by successfully using molybdenum carbide catalysts. The recent DoD-funded project is focusing on the second phase, with the objective of designing and testing catalysts that are able to selectively hydrogenate CO. These catalysts are based on zeolites, which are minerals that contain aluminum and silicon, and have proved not only to be effective for this type of application, but also a more cost-efficient alternative to precious metals.

Also, the team at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Rochester will use innovative research and testing methods, such as computational modeling and machine learning, in order to accelerate the process and provide the U.S. Navy with a reliable solution in the near future.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Otilia Drăgan
Otilia Drăgan profile photo

Otilia believes that if it’s eco, green, or groundbreaking, people should know about it (especially if it's got wheels or wings). Working in online media for over five years, she's gained a deeper perspective on how people everywhere can inspire each other.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories