On Mar 13, 2006, at 12:26 PM, Jed Rothwell wrote:
Horace Heffner wrote:
Large volume hydrogen transmission, distribution and storage are
fairly obvious problems to any engineer serious about a hydrogen
economy.
Yup. That is why I said, "Actually, I would prefer to see them
generate some sort of hydrogen based synthetic fuel . . ."
I think a true hydrogen economy is very feasible, but the fact there
is no emphasis on the required infrastructure in the US says volumes
about the true intent of the US government - either that or its
planning competence. A good reason for the latter is possibly
distortion caused by input from "experts" having ulterior motives.
Something liquid at room temperature such as LP gas would be ideal.
Something with just a hint of carbon! -- and don't worry, a little
sherbet between courses will cleanse the palate.
My taste leans toward silicon based compounds rather than carbon
based compounds for energy transport and storage. Silicon need not
be a source of greenhouse gasses, unless maybe there is a shipping
disaster, and even then the ecological damages are far less than from
equivalent oil spills. Many of the countries rich in petroleum are
rich in just what's needed for a pure silicon or even a silicon-
hydrogen economy - lots of sun and sand. If they invested
petrodollars in solar towers and silicon-hydrogen technology, they
might even be able to beat the well decline curves. There again, a
vertical integration strategy is required to assure a ready and
reliable market for the energy.
Solar towers (i.e. solar chimneys) seem to me to provide the likely
solution to the energy source problem, assuming modification of the
flue tops is made to take advantage of ambient wind to increase the
flue draw. Located in windy areas, near the sea for example, or with
tops located along and supported by mountain ridges, solar towers
should be economically very effective. They are only in their
infancy with regard to economic efficiency.
Horace Heffner
