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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:2,839 Points:638,430 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:2,546 Points:1,685,865 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:2,743 Points:588,820 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 7:27:38 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Not likely.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,927 Points:2,342,585 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:30,920 Points:2,604,565 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:5,477 Points:1,507,305 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:8,224 Points:1,681,950 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 12:05:59 AM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse old news
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,536 Points:1,169,685 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:51,253 Points:2,140,250 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:4,091 Points:1,552,095 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:803 Points:411,745 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:3,502 Points:731,295 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 2:32:49 PM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse Good news.
rknaak1 Sophomore Author Wisconsin Posts:130 Points:46,960 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:50:41 PM Ignore rknaak1 Report Abuse Sounds good.
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,728 Points:1,242,220 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:4,929 Points:1,012,620 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:3,355 Points:915,140 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 1:15:06 PM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse wow
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,581 Points:430,980 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:9,630 Points:1,866,100 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:46:03 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse wow ... Hydrogen planes ....
BburgCW Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,684 Points:1,176,540 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:1,582 Points:614,520 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:1,483 Points:784,210 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:2,882 Points:621,705 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:5,176 Points:1,107,155 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:11,769 Points:2,072,240 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:3,873 Points:1,076,735 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:53:23 AM Ignore mikesr100 Report Abuse Nice!
mikesr11 Champion Author New York City Posts:3,481 Points:676,215 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:2,495 Points:683,630 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:1,726 Points:980,300 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:49:56 AM Ignore nru Report Abuse Nice
TimTim All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:553 Points:1,441,725 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:49:08 AM Ignore TimTim Report Abuse Good
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:8,997 Points:2,358,575 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:141,345 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:47:37 AM Ignore passin_gas2011 Report Abuse okay
scrossi Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,869 Points:1,045,565 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:47:22 AM Ignore scrossi Report Abuse Agreed fordfan1.
DickAAA Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,262 Points:1,359,880 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:9,077 Points:1,888,090 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:8,224 Points:1,681,950 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:44:48 AM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Interesting
Minutefan Champion Author Springfield Posts:3,295 Points:1,243,095 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:43:43 AM Ignore Minutefan Report Abuse sounds good
JagXKR Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,139 Points:1,087,530 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:1,185 Points:472,200 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:3,690 Points:699,930 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:1,453 Points:290,715 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:39:28 AM Ignore timesaverinc Report Abuse We will see
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,843 Points:4,243,660 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:39:00 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse OK
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,311 Points:1,436,490 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:5,359 Points:1,335,525 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:576 Points:284,375 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:9,656 Points:2,616,685 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:8,441 Points:1,553,350 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:36:50 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse interesting
ou812again Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,299 Points:666,135 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:34:33 AM Ignore ou812again Report Abuse ok
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,190 Points:1,569,310 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:33:39 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR ENDEAVORS.