[Author Index] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

[ST] Hydrogen

We don't necessarily have to split water, I was using that as an example.  I don't know everything, but my hair-brained idea may spark someone elses innovation to make it happen.  I don't have the resources to try.

Today's MRE's have a heater pack with dry powder stuff in it.  When mixed with water it generates good heat, but Hydrogen gas is a by-product.  Maybe it could be possible to use that powder and water somehow for our fuel source.  Thinking outside the box is what makes advances.  

Rich

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Colt45
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 1:11 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ST] New Engine


Hold on.  Hydrogen IS flammable and Oxygen is NOT, but is required for 
combustion.

The problem is the cost of generating Hydrogen.  It takes more energy to 
split a water molecule that is released when reforming it.  Even then, 
our methods of transforming heat into mechanical force are inefficient, 
about 40% max.  There is so little Hydrogen gas in the air that the 
common method of super cooling air to condense out each gas as a liquid 
is terribly expensive (unless you are a giant government agency ;-)   
).  That leaves electrolysis or chemical reactions.  Electrolysis is the 
inefficient means of splitting water I mentioned.  Chemical means are 
beyond my experience, so I can't assess cost.  I'd guess the waste 
products would be quite a problem. 

Don't forget, water is also considered a greenhouse gas.  Would it be 
any better to swap water for carbon dioxide as the major air emission 
for our power plants and vehicles?  We might as well just give up and 
move back into caves and wear animal skins!  We can't survive!  :-) 

     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=