Posted on 07/14/2010 10:24:17 AM PDT by Willie Green
The United States Army has started the development and application of hydrogen fuel-cell technology to their vehicles. The first vehicle to receive this technology will be the workhorse M1 Abrams battle tank. This type of tank requires vast amounts of onboard computing power for sensors, computing equipment, battle command technology and other electronic equipment, so using fuel cell technology would be able to provide greater electrical power than the current setup, which is a diesel engine/alternator arrangement.
In addition, the use of a fuel cell would make the tank's motor run in near silence. This is a particularly helpful feature since enemy combatants can hear the current model's 1,000+hp multi fuel turbine engine from miles away, and with a silent engine, the tank can sneak into certain territory relatively unheard.
The use of a fuel cell would be convenient as well because the hydrogen would be extracted from JP-8 diesel fuel onboard and converted into electricity, meaning that "the current refueling infrastructure would remain in place."
As of now, the testing of fuel cells in tanks exists only in the laboratory. The idea is to find a way to power multiple fleets of military vehicles with fuel cells "that use non-petroleum sources." There have been problems with having to deliver fuel through dangerous war zones and across two large countries. Providing security for the transport vehicles to assure that they get to the desired destination in order to fuel the tanks has become more than a thorn in their side, and fuel cell technology could possibly eliminate these worries.
This isn't the Army's first effort toward greener technology, though. In May of this year, HP was in the process of developing a "Dick Tracy-like" watch that uses solar panels for the U.S. military. Also, a new hybrid Army aircraft that resembles a blimp and can travel for three weeks at a time unmanned, was designed and will be sent to Afghanistan by mid 2011.
So a 60 ton tank is gonna sneak up on someone? Will it involve high speed rail?
I guess they are going to have silent treads too!
“The use of a fuel cell would be convenient as well because the hydrogen would be extracted from JP-8 diesel fuel onboard and converted into electricity, meaning that “the current refueling infrastructure would remain in place.” “
Not a bad idea if it works.
There was an article in last month’s Semper Fi magazine (The magazine of the Marine Corps League) about the Marine Corps going green. I have also read an article about it within the last year in the Marine Corps Gazette. However, I have to say that I agree with what they are trying to do. They are trying to use more renewables and be more independent because the more energy they use at a forward operating base, the more resupply convoys they need and the more chances to hit the convoys with IEDs and ambushes.
I think our Marine forward operating bases are becoming too dependent on technology and using too much energy. The Marine footprint has always been small and they should not be energy hogs needing constant resupply. They should be able to operate independently and they need to strive towards that.
Silent tanks.
Now we know why we don’t have this technology in cars.
And we also know that we will have it in cars once the technology is well known and everybody has it.
I’m OK using gas until our guys get done blowing up our enemies.
only if they can run the rails through pork-barrel lovin' senator's districts and call it 'stimulus'.
The use of fuel cells is also likely to be controversial, but good science and engineering practice would be to test extensively and follow the data. If it's a bad idea, we'll know why. If it's a good idea, we'll be a step or two ahead of the bad guys. And that's always a good place to be.
Another green wet dream bites the dust of reality.
--I'd sure like to see a simplified engineering diagram of this---
You could hear a tank coming for 2 miles away, engine or no engine.
The turbine works on the M1, but it’s THIRSTY.
Unlike the diesel IC alternative, it sucks fuel even when standing still.
Every tank since the M1 has chosen the modern IC diesel and even The US Army has said that the M1’s replacement will more than likely not use the turbine again.
Perhaps this explains why they're looking at fuel cells? My first thought on reading this was that it would resolve the problems of eating gas while standing still. My second thought is that JP8 is a fairly heavy fuel, and IIRC fuel cells extract usable energy only from the hydrogen; the carbon is thrown away. I'm more than a little curious as to the total system efficiency compared to a diesel or turbine engine.
When I get home from work, I’ll Photoshop an Abrams tiptoeing toward the enemy wearing oversized bunny slippers.
The last thing any tank needs is to go green. You can ALWAYS get a fillup. You just swing the main gun in the direction of the gas station office...
“a new hybrid Army aircraft that resembles a blimp “
“Frank it’s the big hit
It’s the blimp
It’s the blimp Frank
It’s the blimp”
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