[V8] Diesels, hybrids, continued! - Hydrodgen

[Dave Saad]

Bummer -

I really hate to hear about all the technical problems facing H2 - because I really think that eventually it has to be the answer.  It seems that there are advancements and discoveries made fairly regularly on the production and storage issues, but it always requires some exotic metal of which there is a worldwide supply of 3 pounds (1.36 kilos for you metric types).

I do think that big wind farms in particular might be more useful to the utilities if they produced hydrogen and stored it onsite - to be consumed as fuel for a traditional steam plant or maybe a giant fuel cell if that becomes possible.  That would solve a lot of problems with the integration of intermittent energy systems.

Now - to go even further off track, I got interested in trying to make a solar powered (stationary) steam engine.  Don't ask why - if anyone in the world understands the "why" part, it would be this list, I am just curious if a say a parabolic mirror on your roof could make enough steam to power a small piston type engine?  The idea is to make enough power to turn a generator large enough to run a home air conditioner.  I think 5000 watts would be plenty for a large house.The obvious benefit is the hotter it gets, the better your air conditioner works.  The obvious downside is superheated steam under pressure makes an excellent skin remover, and the neighbors will get pissy if they find boiler parts blown into their yards.  Those are the two negatives I hear the most.

And since this is an Audi forum, I would of course park my Audi in the garage of such a home...


Dave 



On Aug 7, 2011, at 10:23 AM, Scott Justusson wrote:

> 
> I went to a SAE seminar on Hydrogen fuel vehicle technology.  I say that's tossing sand in the playlot more than any other technology.  The idea is attractive as zero emissions, but it has some major issues:
> To be released as a gas 'supply' it either has to be super cooled or superheated
> It must be stored at super high pressures
> The tanks are massive and heavy
> The amount of 'fuel energy' per volume is small
> It's best use would be 'indirect' drive - as battery storage (see earlier battery tech issues)
> Practical driving range is less than a battery only vehicle.
> Seen now only as a possible secondary hybrid source (ie acceleration/passing enhancer) - but pretty far out there
> 
> All that said, researchers have found that rhodium is an excellent hydrogen release agent for hydrogen stored at room temperature.  The hydrogen binds to the rhodium, and when electricity is put across the rhodium, it then releases the hydrogen.  Problem: rhodium is one of the most expensive precious metals on the planet.
> 
> The above issues are so high in undeveloped technology requirements (without a non-existent infrastructure in production/distribution/sales), it's just tossing sand.  Certainly when we have sucked all the dynosaur blood from our earth, this is a 'concept' that has great potential.  If I was born today, I doubt it's anything I'd be alive to drive from my garage.
> 
> Cheers and my .02 arbitraged thru a traditional fuel tank
> 
> SJ
> 92 v8
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
> To: v8 at audifans.com
> Sent: Sat, Aug 6, 2011 5:17 pm
> Subject: Re: [V8] Diesels, hybrids, continued!
> 
> 
> 
> I'd add hydrogen fuel cells to that list.  Some day the last gallon 
> of petroleum, and the last cubic foot of propane/LPG/LNG, will be 
> removed from the ground. Being able to use solar/wind/nuclear/tide 
> generated electricity to generate the hydrogen to be pumped into 
> a fuel cell for long-range capability may be the way to go long 
> term. I think Honda is leading the way on this one. 
> 
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Automobiles> 
> 
> Short term, I'd take a TDI Passat wagon. 
> 
> -- Kent McLean 
> 1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic 
> 1990 200 Avant mit V8 conversion 
> gone: too many to count, including my first, "Bad Puppy" 
> 
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