The dAlH2Orean is a radio-controlled car designed and built by professor Xavier Salueña and student Aleix Llovet from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech (UPC). They took their inspiration from the DeLorean car used in the Back To The Future movies which was converted to make fusion power from trash.
The dAlH2Orean car uses aluminum soda can rings, sodium hydroxide, and water to power the car. The sodium hydroxide chemically attacks the aluminum, liberating hydrogen that then passes through a vinegar filter to remove hydroxide contaminants. A silica gel dries the hydrogen gas that enters a fuel-cell stack to generate electricity that drives an electric motor.
There are no CO2 emissions from the power generation process and any scrap aluminum can be used as fuel. The reaction produces aluminum hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, both of which can be reused. The aluminum hydroxide can be converted back to aluminum that is as pure as the bauxite from the original mining operation. The vinegar retains traces of sodium hydroxide, and is the same chemical (sodium acetate) used to flavor chips (crisps).
The dAlH2Orean's top speed is 30km/h (18.6mph), with a 40 minute driving time on one fuel load. The motivation for the project is to demonstrate technology for a larger undertaking called 'Alumini' which aims to develop a 5-60hp microcar. Apart from generating useful electrical power, the additional benefits are upcycling and recycling of waste products.
Via dalh2Orean & GreenAutoBlog
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written by Corbin Schad , April 28, 2011