Can saltwater be burned as fuel?

[Shrygue]

via Engadget


A gentleman from Erie named John Kanzius made a somewhat "shocking" discovery while he was working on a radio-wave generator he had developed for the treatment of cancer. While attempting to desalinate sea water using radio frequencies, he noticed flashes, and within a few days, had saltwater burning in a test-tube as if it were a candle. The discovery spawned interest from the scientific community, mostly concerned with whether or not the water could be used as a fuel, and of course, healthy doses of disbelief.

Last week, a Penn State University chemist named Rustum Roy held a demonstration proving that the science is sound, noting that the water doesn't burn, though the radio frequencies weaken the bonds holding together the salt, releasing hydrogen which is ignited when exposed to the RF field. Mr. Kanzius and Dr. Roy say the question now is the efficiency of the energy, and are presenting the technology to the US Department of Defense and Department of Energy to investigate how useful the technology will be.

Of the plentiful maybe-fuel (which apparently burns so hot it can melt test-tubes) Dr. Roy says, "This is the most abundant element in the world. It is everywhere," and (without recognition of the poetic irony, as far as we can tell), "Seeing it burn gives me chills."

TV report video clip:

[Sonny_Jim]

Everytime I see something like this I have to wonder:

How much energy do they put in and how much do they get out?

[shadowprophet]

Everytime I see something like this I have to wonder:

How much energy do they put in and how much do they get out?

But see that's the conundrum isn't it. It doesn't matter how much energy has to go into this to get an output, If energy can be produced by salt water, That is the most abundant source on planet earth. Even if the output was relatively small, There is no and for generations to come will be no salt water shortage.

If this becomes fruitful. This could be the defining discovery of this century. The historic moment that is looked back on as the "most important discovery of the twenty first century".

*edit, By the way, Love science, Keep these articles coming YKB,

[cal360]

This is amazing all you'd need to do is get a bucket of water and pour some salt into it, disolve it and you've got your substitute for petrol yay, I know I will make one of these cars then live right next to the sea free energy.

[smiles]

Very cool...until some one sets the ocean on fire.

[shadowprophet]

Hmm I've been giving this thought. This is as devastatingly powerful a discovery as nuclear energy.
Imagine if these principals where in turn used for weapons of war.

With 3 fourths of the earth being covered in salt water..


Hmm...

[mcdougall57]

if this is indeed going to be the fuel of the future the man will be assasinated by the big oil companies and his research wil go with him, its the sad truth

edit: but well done mate bring the evil oil corporations to their knees

[steve520]

well at least he is trying so he can break the world of using fossil fuels. Go old guy go.