Kennett Career and Technology Center experimenting with hydrogen fuel

KENNETT, Mo.--Plans are in place for the Kennett Career and Technology Center to begin experimenting with hydrogen fuel following a presentation by Hydrogen Fuel Co. of Fairdealing, Mo., on Tuesday.

The Fairdealing company visited the career center on Tuesday to demonstrate the uses of hydrogen as a fuel source, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. Following the presentation, David Seratt, president of the company, donated a hydrogen generator to the technical school.

Automotive Instructor Mike Rhew, said he is looking forward to beginning work with the hydrogen generator, noting that he believes hydrogen fuel is the future.

"I think it is wonderful," Rhew said. "We are looking at the future. There is no doubt in my mind that we are looking at the future."

Rhew said he plans to use the hydrogen generator to create a water-powered lawn mower.

"Briggs & Stratton have donated us 52 lawnmower motors," Rhew said. "What we are looking at right now is getting a lawn mower powered by water."

Rhew said the career center got involved with the company about three weeks ago when Seratt visited the school and asked to put on a demonstration.

During the visit, Rhew said Seratt showed off his hydrogen-fueled Geo Metro to showcase the possibilities of hydrogen fuel.

Rhew said he is "sold" on the idea of water as a fuel source and may possibly put a hydrogen generator on his pickup truck.

"There is some interest, a lot of interest, with us," Rhew said. "Another thing that I like about this is it is new modern technology. Once we start working with this stuff, we can show the community what we are really about. That is the number one thing. Getting the community involved with what we are really about."