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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » You youngsters won't know what I'm talking about. This is for you oldtimers out there. Ever hear about it?

You youngsters won't know what I'm talking about. This is for you oldtimers out there. Ever hear about it?

This may well be apocryphal but here goes.

I heard very long ago that someone had invented a tablet you could put in a tank of water and the vehicle would run on it as it did gas. But the gas companies bought it and made sure no one ever produced it.

Is that possible? Could it have happened or was it just a pipe dream someone invented that floated for awhile?

The tablet was incredibly cheap to produce allegedly. SIGH.

Posted - December 16, 2019

Responses


  • 6023
    IIRC - Mythbusters did an episode looking at using DIY hydrogen to run a car.
    It worked, but the energy required to convert water to hydrogen fuel was prohibitive.

    On the other hand, DIY bio-diesel is much simpler to get and doesn't require as much alteration on existing engines.
      December 16, 2019 7:37 AM MST
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  • 113301
    Thank you for the info Walt. So it involved more than simply dropping a pill in a tank of water. What about corn? Is that a useful fuel? :)
      December 16, 2019 7:42 AM MST
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  • 6023
    I believe corn is what they use to make the ethanol for the mixed fuel.
    I imagine those hillbillies brewing moonshine could just as easily be making their own fuel.  LOL

    In the 1950s, Chrysler experimented with turbine engines ... which could run off virtually any fuel.  Though leaded gasoline damaged the engine.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Turbine_Car


      December 16, 2019 8:08 AM MST
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  • 113301
    I'm putting you IN CHARGE of all of this WALT with no interference. What would you do/how would you effect the best way to fuel the world? Carte blanche? Thank you for your reply.
      December 16, 2019 8:42 AM MST
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  • 6023
    I like the Swiss (?) solution ... burn all garbage that can't be recycled, and generate electricity.
    They are so successful, they have to import garbage from the rest of Europe.
    Put one plant in each state, and we won't have to export our garbage.

    Also require convicted criminals to sort garbage, and pull out the recyclables we can't automatically sort.
    Some may question allowing them access to all sorts of materials they can use as weapons.
    I'd give the guards permission to use deadly force to protect themselves ... and don't really care if criminals kill each other.
      December 16, 2019 9:59 AM MST
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  • 113301
    What does burning garbage do to the environment and the air we breathe Walt? Many years ago when I was a kid we had an incinerator in our backyard. In one side my dad put in all the trash and burner it. The other was a barbecue that we used. They were outlawed and I just expect it was due to whatever pollutants got in the air. Are you old enough to remember backyard incinerators? They had them in L.A. I don't know about Oregon or Washington! Thank you for your thoughtful and informative reply! :)
      December 16, 2019 10:02 AM MST
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