Navy Close to Converting Sea Water into Jet Fuel

By Newsroom America Staff at 3 Oct 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Navy researchers say they are close to being able to convert sea water into jet fuel, a capability which would greatly enhance the forward power projection capabilities of American aircraft carriers.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is working on a technique to extract carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen gas from seawater, DefenseTech.com reported Tuesday.

"The key is then converting the carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons that can then be used to develop JP-5 fuel stock," the website said. JP-5 is the type of aviation fuel used in Navy jets; aircraft carriers require continual replenishment of the fuel while conducting operations at sea. Being able to produce it from seawater would eliminate often risky replenishment operations.

"The potential payoff is the ability to produce JP-5 fuel stock at sea reducing the logistics tail on fuel delivery with no environmental burden and increasing the Navy’s energy security and independence," said Heather Willauer, a research chemist with NRL.

Navy officials say the process to convert seawater to jet fuel would cost between $3 and $6 per gallon.

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