Carbon 122

From Reach

The most important of the planet's natural resources is carbon 122. This abnormally long hydrocarbon chain provides a powerful fuel source for the colonies, due to the number of attached hydrogen ions and veritable ease of stripping them from the carbon chain. The amount of stored energy in carbon 122 makes it roughly 4 times as potent as current petroleum.

Carbon 122 is a thick black liquid when extracted from the ground. While it can be burned directly or put into engines without refinement, the substance is unstable, and likely to cause damage or wear. Refinement is a 7 step process of folding the chain to slow reaction time and eliminating any waste products that are mixed in with the liquid. After refinement, a 20 gallon tank of Carbon 122 will provide approximately 178 fuel hours, or approximately 700 miles depending on engine efficiency.

Due to the rarity and importance of carbon 122, its refined form is often used as a bartering tool. It is traded in 1/2 gallon increments called Tins, due to the shape of the cannister.