Water, Pull Tabs and Vinegar as a Fuel Source?

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

A professor and student at the Technical Superior School of Industrial Engineering and Aeronautics of Terrassa (ETSEIAT), part of the Politechnical University of Catalonia (UPC), have unveiled a radio-controlled car that runs on aluminum soda pop can rings, water and vinegar. Professor Xavier Salueña and his student, Aleix Llovet, held an April 14 press conference concerning dAlH2Orean, part of the project called “Aluminium,” for the manufacturing of micro cars with 5-60 horsepower using recycled aluminum as their primary fuel.  The miniature vehicle’s propulsion system has been patented.  The car can run on aluminum soda (or beer) can rings, “or residual parts of aluminum with hydroxide of sodium (which acts as a catalyst) dissolved in water,” according to its developers.  “The whole operation is based on the self-generation of hydrogen created by the reaction between aluminum and sodium hydroxide.  This self-generated hydrogen feeds the fuel cell that produces the energy,” according to the team’s press release. “The residue of aluminum and …