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Boeing tests fuel-cell technology on American Airline 737

king5.com -- SEATTLE -- A fuel cell is pretty simple in concept: feed in two gases, oxygen and hydrogen, and a catalyst that helps combine those two common elements into water. When the elements combine, electricity is created, along with heat.

Fuel cells have been used to help power space craft, and they are in growing in use in countries like Japan to power buses and, soon, cars.

But could fuel cells power airplanes? Could they cut the use of expensive jet fuel and, indirectly, make flying a little greener?

The electricity that runs everything from the electronic displays in the cockpit to the reading light above a passenger's seat are powered by jet fuel. A commercial airliner's engines drive generators to power the plane's electronics.

But decades down the road, fuel-cell technology co

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Submitted Sep 30, 2012 By: teafortwo

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Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,959 Points:667,045 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 10:08:43 PM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . Can you say "Hindenburg" boys and girls, sure you can, BOOM! Hydrogen is the worst thing you can put on an aircraft. Aircraft self generate static buildup charges and are VERY prone to lightening strikes! Plain STUPID! The electronics don't really use ANY fuel, the turbine has to spin anyway while making thrust so the generator gets an almost free ride. In no way justifying having Hydrogen on a passenger aircraft!
wild3bill Champion Author New York Posts:2,551 Points:1,695,490 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 9:39:56 AM Ignore wild3bill Report Abuse And you can DRINK the water or put it in the windshield washer!
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,898 Points:619,445 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 7:27:38 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Not likely.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,600 Points:2,373,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 4:47:27 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Boeing tests fuel-cell technology on American Airline 737! Test, Test, Test but without much cheaper hydrogen then what can be produced now, it will be one very expensive ride. A fuel cell that can use many different fuels economically is much better. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
SteelPenny Champion Author Dallas Posts:31,296 Points:2,634,440 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 12:07:54 AM Ignore SteelPenny Report Abuse Let's try big rubber bands first.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,634 Points:1,537,780 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 12:07:19 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse YeahBut - - the problem is getting enough cost effective hydrogen as fuel cell power becomes more common.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,384 Points:1,712,900 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 12:05:59 AM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse old news
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,686 Points:1,198,065 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 7:18:32 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Don't understand that much about how fuel cells work, but as I understand the by product of burning hydrogen and oxygen is water. If this also saves expensive jet fuel it sounds like a winning combination to me!
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,853 Points:2,169,375 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 7:17:39 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Sep 30, 2012 3:24:26 PM, dlemma wrote: >no taxpayer money had better be in this... Boeing is profitable, they do their own research and development with their own money.
dlemma Champion Author Wyoming Posts:4,246 Points:1,582,720 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 4:24:26 PM Ignore dlemma Report Abuse no taxpayer money had better be in this...
Palantas All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:805 Points:425,985 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 2:48:51 PM Ignore Palantas Report Abuse They'll put a fuel cell in anything these days.
Cashless Champion Author Akron Posts:3,660 Points:762,005 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 2:32:49 PM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse Good news.
rknaak1 Sophomore Author Wisconsin Posts:133 Points:48,920 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:50:41 PM Ignore rknaak1 Report Abuse Sounds good.
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,888 Points:1,273,900 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:46:57 PM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse Fuel cells are the best "Green" tech around, but don't promise enough political graft for the cronies. So they languish.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,089 Points:1,044,320 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:40:50 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse Love this idea.
briinnc Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,705 Points:834,820 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:31:25 PM Ignore briinnc Report Abuse Great place to test it, just hope I don't get to fly on it!!
TripleHs Champion Author Austin Posts:3,440 Points:941,065 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:15:06 PM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse wow
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,736 Points:461,605 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:05:52 PM Ignore leeac Report Abuse Even air liners ar getting in on fuel economy.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,944 Points:1,897,200 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:46:03 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse wow ... Hydrogen planes ....
BburgCW Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,763 Points:1,204,135 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:42:05 AM Ignore BburgCW Report Abuse Interesting article. I would worry about carrying hydrogen on board, too. Companies have been working for a while now on techniques for storing hydrogen safely. I guess they haven't had much success.
bobcatfan Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,708 Points:641,775 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:11:23 AM Ignore bobcatfan Report Abuse This technology has been around for decades. Why so slow getting to market?
F81M Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,640 Points:814,835 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:06:57 AM Ignore F81M Report Abuse I believe I have heard of the existence of a hydrogen bomb! A little scary.
DYSKYPILOT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,037 Points:653,180 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:02:21 AM Ignore DYSKYPILOT Report Abuse Work it out for cars first.
tarheelcoastie Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,326 Points:1,138,345 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:56:15 AM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse Hmmm...
Agarre Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,335 Points:263,785 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:54:59 AM Ignore Agarre Report Abuse hopefully it works better
a14morfun Champion Author Ontario Posts:11,963 Points:2,101,015 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:54:04 AM Ignore a14morfun Report Abuse Interesting. There's always some new technology coming 'round the corner.
mikesr100 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:4,035 Points:1,108,415 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:53:23 AM Ignore mikesr100 Report Abuse Nice!
mikesr11 Champion Author New York City Posts:3,642 Points:707,915 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:52:41 AM Ignore mikesr11 Report Abuse GOOD LUCK, HOPE IT WORKS.
studebaker1940 Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,653 Points:713,280 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:51:36 AM Ignore studebaker1940 Report Abuse We'll be reading about another Hindenburg disaster. Hydrogen is flammable.
nru Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,953 Points:1,010,855 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:49:56 AM Ignore nru Report Abuse Nice
TimTim All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:673 Points:1,468,500 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:49:08 AM Ignore TimTim Report Abuse Good
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:9,158 Points:2,389,675 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:48:06 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Hope they get it working.
passin_gas2011 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:750 Points:145,195 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:47:37 AM Ignore passin_gas2011 Report Abuse okay
scrossi Champion Author Indiana Posts:4,024 Points:1,076,190 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:47:22 AM Ignore scrossi Report Abuse Agreed fordfan1.
DickAAA Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,272 Points:1,372,705 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:46:59 AM Ignore DickAAA Report Abuse Fuel cells were used on the Gemini program and the astronauts drank the resulting water and the electronics on board were powered by the electricity produced. Fuel cells are a very good product to save fuel on aircraft.
fordfan1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,232 Points:1,918,715 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:45:51 AM Ignore fordfan1 Report Abuse I hope that it works out and is safe to use!!!!
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,384 Points:1,712,900 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:44:48 AM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Interesting
Minutefan Champion Author Springfield Posts:3,414 Points:1,272,345 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:43:43 AM Ignore Minutefan Report Abuse sounds good
JagXKR Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,293 Points:1,118,665 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:43:37 AM Ignore JagXKR Report Abuse Hydrogen IS the future fuel, history will prove me right.
Bobmilan Champion Author Louisville Posts:1,339 Points:503,255 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:42:00 AM Ignore Bobmilan Report Abuse Hope AA survives to realize benefits.
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,850 Points:731,630 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:39:34 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse Coming soon, coming soon, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
timesaverinc Champion Author Wichita Posts:1,608 Points:322,090 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:39:28 AM Ignore timesaverinc Report Abuse We will see
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,994 Points:4,274,060 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:39:00 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse OK
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,422 Points:1,458,380 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:38:11 AM Ignore Romey08 Report Abuse I'll wait to see how the research progresses
traumer Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,509 Points:1,365,175 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:37:29 AM Ignore traumer Report Abuse New ideas and attempts every now and then and maybe down the road it actually works and is then put into production. It's all a wait and see endeavor.
suicyco16 All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:599 Points:311,585 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:37:05 AM Ignore suicyco16 Report Abuse would be nice
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,814 Points:2,647,330 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:36:59 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Perfect it before you bring it out.... I would not want to be the test pilot...
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,587 Points:1,582,125 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:36:50 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse interesting
ou812again Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,450 Points:696,780 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:34:33 AM Ignore ou812again Report Abuse ok
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,355 Points:1,600,785 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:33:39 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR ENDEAVORS.