Coke Provides Alternate Fuel

June 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Stephen Fritz and Grobe Voltz, two American scientists, have designed a rocket car that is fuelled purely by Coke Zero and Mentos.

The pair has previously won awards for their viral videos of Mentos and Coke geysers, which can shoot Coke 10 metres into the air. They have evolved into Internet stars by video-taping unusual experiments under the alias of EepyBird. Their videos have been viewed an estimated 120 million times.

A chemical reaction between the sugar coating on Mentos lollies and the carbon dioxide in Coke gave the three-wheeler vehicle its thrust. 108 two-litre bottles of Coke and 648 Mentos mints were used to push the vehicle 67 metres.

While the ‘car’ has been over four years in the making, it uses a simple piston and cylinder mechanism to harness the surge of Coke created when the carbon dioxide in the Coke reacts with the rough sugar coating of the Mentos lollies.

The carbon dioxide attaches itself to particles in the Mentos and forms bubbles, in a process that creates the violent reaction. It is called nucleation.

Voltz says he expects the experiment to get people seeing outside the box when it comes to alternative fuels.

Grobe says, "Perhaps someone can find alternative fuels that are a bit more practical, however".

Other fuel alternatives include, ethanol, made from corn and other crops. It produces less greenhouse gas emissions than normal fuels. However, scientists say it is more energy efficient to cultivate productive farm land for food production, rather than alternative fuel.

Biodiesel is formed from vegetable oils and animal fats, while natural gas, a fossil fuel, gives out less greenhouse gases and air pollutants.

Propane, also called liquid petroleum gas, (LPG) is a domestically plentiful fossil fuel that gives off less greenhouse gases and harmful air pollutants.

Hydrogen can be created domestically from nuclear power, fossil fuels (such as coal) or renewable resources, such as hydropower. Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen produce no harmful air pollutants.

The tropical island of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, is using coconut oil to produce an environmentally friendly fuel.

Solar powered vehicles however, will become an unbeaten contender, if Australia inventors have their way.

With a 150km range and a top speed of 12 km/h, a three-wheeled, electric, two seater car has been created by a University in Australia. It is powered by 45kg lithium ion batteries. Thanks to its honeycomb and fibreglass body, the vehicle weighs only 300kg. Solar panels will be mounted on the roof of the latest model.

Making it one of the most efficient and safest motorcycles on the road, the vehicle falls under the category of motorcycle, rather than a car. You require a motorcycle license to drive it.

For more information about "Coke Provides Alternate Fuel", visit website http://www.tropicpost.com/coke-fuelled-rocket-car/

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