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| Water-Fueled Welder |
Researchers from ITM Power, a UK-based clean energy company, say
their new blowtorch prototype produces fire using only water as fuel.
The electrolyser system turns hydrogen and oxygen gases from water into
fuel for the torch using electricity.
SafeFlame is designed for use in brazing, a process similar to welding
that joins two metal pieces together by melting another metal joint
between them, usually from a metal with a lower melting point like
copper. Current brazing systems mostly use flammable gasses like
acetylene or propane as fuel for portable torches, which pose a fire and
explosion risk in highly pressurized containers. This system stores its
fuel in water form, eliminating the explosion risk from pressurized
gas.
This water-fueled torch doesn't burn as hot as other gas
torches, so can be used with metals that are more sensitive to heat, and
the flame doesn't heat up the body of the torch, according to ITM
Power. Plus, it only produces water when it burns. The prototype is
being tested by some UK welders now. Euronews reports that it will be
available to the public "in the near future." See how it works in their video (with a great fire-related pop soundtrack).
Source by Euronews