'Burning Ice' - The Answer to Our Energy Needs?

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Imagine lighting fire to a hard-packed snowball to get warm! While that may sound impossible, Tim Collett, a research geologist from Denver, Colorado seems to think it is not only possible, but that it may be the best way to produce clean energy in the future.

However, the ice in question is not just any ice, but a special kind that has methane gas molecules locked inside it. As a result, the cloudy-looking ice particles burn, when they come in contact with a match.

'Burning ice' was discovered over a decade ago and can be found in abundance in the Arctic region, as well as, in marine sediments on the floor of the oceans. However, it is only recently that scientists have started to examine it as a source for alternative green energy.

Some scientists believe that the methane hydrates will provide a cleaner, less polluting source of energy, as compared to current fuels. Others are nervous that the frozen methane may become unstable during mining or transportation, which would result in the release of a gas that is ten times worse than carbon dioxide.

Nobody knows what the outcome will be, and it may take a few years of testing before 'burning ice' becomes a reality. But if scientists can figure it out, it will be a great green energy alternative. Also, it would be cool to have things powered by these strange, ice-like nuggets wouldn't it?

sources: news.thomasnet.com, wikipedia.com, impactlab.com, dailymail.co.uk

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138 Comments
  • richardalmost 10 years
    cool :) best kind of fuel ever ! ! 0 l_________l
    • kimcardashionabout 10 years
      love it
      • rex7827
        rex7827about 10 years
        awsome
      • zuzu333
        zuzu333about 10 years
        cool.
        • hiabout 10 years
          holy moly that is incredeblely fascinating. go burning ice
          • hiabout 10 years
            cool
            • meabout 10 years
              sounds dangerous
              • taylorl8
                taylorl8over 10 years
                That is sooooo awesome!!
                • cate12
                  cate12over 10 years
                  so epic, the fire explouded
                  • kailyn16
                    kailyn16over 10 years
                    HOW CN YOU BURN ICE!?!THATS CRAZY!?! If I burned ice and saw it with my own eyes I would freak and probly non of my friends would bellive me they would think im crazy and I would have to see a doctor and get medicine and I would prove it to them and they would see I wasn't liying