A potential solution to the critical problem of getting sufficient quantities of water to combat soldiers in the field: "Water harvested from diesel exhaust."
Warfare is hot, dirty, and exhausting work that requires a steady stream of water to slake thirst, prepare meals and maintain healthy hygiene — up to nearly 7 gallons a day per person.
Supplying that water to soldiers increases vulnerability to military personnel and limits the tactical use of field troops, according to researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory who are developing the new technology.
Their solution is to use the fuel that the military burns to run its tanks, Humvees, generators and other machines that power field operations. When fuel is combusted, it gets oxidized and produces carbon dioxide and water.
"Theoretically, one gallon of diesel should produce one gallon of water," project leader Melanie Debusk explained to me Wednesday. While all of that water isn't recoverable, the system her team is developing should be able to get back between 65 and 85 percent of it.
"Considering how much fuel the military uses in the field that would be a significant contribution to the water issue," she noted.
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