Posted on 01/23/2009 8:13:56 PM PST by OldGuard1
So, this paper was published recently in Science Magazine:
Complementary Active Sites Cause Size-Selective Reactivity of Aluminum Cluster Anions with Water
The reactions of metal clusters with small molecules often depend on cluster size. The selectivity of oxygen reactions with aluminum cluster anions can be well described within an electronic shell model; however, not all reactions are subject to the same fundamental constraints. We observed the size selectivity of aluminum cluster anion reactions with water, which can be attributed to the dissociative chemisorption of water at specific surface sites. The reactivity depends on geometric rather than electronic shell structure. Identical arrangements of multiple active sites in Al16–, Al17–, and Al18– result in the production of H2 from water.
Basically, it's talking about how if you make tiny particles of aluminum, you can prevent them from forming an impermiable oxide layer, making them reactive with water. As the aluminum reacts, it releases hydrogen, which could be used in hydrogen cars.
Great. Scientific research in progress, right?
Well, apparently liberal groups have taken this research and either completely missed over the fact that the aluminum is consumed in the process or are convinced that turning the consumed aluminum back to normal is a trivial step. For example, on Daily Kos, a single thread on the topic (out of a couple) has attracted hundreds of posts, almost all of which are oohing and aahing over what they see as free energy. And when some people try to point out that trivial thing called physics to them, they usually get shouted down. Example:
nosleep4u: "they still haven't removed the hydroxyl groups that contaminate the aluminum. Although the article says they have ideas on that. This is actually quite interesting. If they get the contamination problem fixed, you could build a near-zero energy air-conditioner. Among other cool stuff. Pun intended. Sorry. Member, The Angry Left."
rfall: "Since an air conditioner is a heat pump ...you can never build a "near zero energy air conditioner". To move heat energy "uphill", against the thermal gradient, requires energy input. And, because of the real world, it also requires more energy to move a given amount of energy uphill. "Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet, you can't win." Lazurus Long"
BrowniesAreGood: "You don't understand. A "heat pump" is not a chemical process. This is ENTIRELY different and the original commenter is correct (at least theoretically if not practically)."
ah s**t, now Algore has another crusade
These guys must have slept through their high school chemistry classes.It probably costs more in energy to make the aluminum than the hydrogen would provide.
Prepare for the conspiracy theories about how the evil oil companies are suppressing the water/aluminum car.
didn’t go to the thread but if scientists can efficiently break the covalent bond of hydrogen to oxygen in water, then good on them. This will speed the hydrogen fuel process.
yeah this could be fun
I can do better than that!
Take some water. Mix in about a teaspoon of sodium hydroxide.
Chuck in the aluminum foil, it will bubble like crazy, and give off hydrogen.
Until the aluminum is consumed and you’re left with this toxic sludge type stuff that I would recommend you bury deep, deep in the ground.
As a matter of fact, I was doing better than that when I was in eighth grade or so...
Of course. However, there have been proposals to use aluminum as a storage medium for energy. As a fuel, it is light weight and safe to store. It is nearly as good as gasoline. There is an abundant supply of bauxite and all you do is add energy. It is, however, much more expensive.
Let’s not forget the energy required to extract the aluminum from the ore.
It’s electric and considerable.
Anything involving hydrogen is really wasteful. This probably even moreso. Plus, fuel cells cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for one big enough to run a car.
We all know if it wasn’t for the evil oil companies we’d all be sipping our double frapachimochas while driving electric cars that charged themselves via solar panels produced from fully biodegradable materials. Those bastards.
Creating aluminum requires huge amounts of cheap electricity. That’s why Alcoa and Boeing moved to Washington, to take advantage of the cheap hydro-electric supply there. If this uses up any aluminum, it’s probably not cost efficient.
This is not a catalyst.
Aluminum is very reactive if you powder it and don’t let the surface oxidize. When dumped into water it steals the oxygen off the water molecules and discards the hydrogen (and there are other ways to achieve the reaction).
A guy made patented a device that let an engine run on aluminum and water back in ‘82.
http://members.tripod.com/~anon99/water_engine/index2.html
This is interesting, but the energy put into making the aluminum is more than you get running the engine.
Paging the Not This *#@! Again, guy. You are needed.
I can make hydrogen from water by dropping a stick of metallic sodium or potassium into it. The potassium is especially exciting when wet.
Now thats quite a Catalyst if it works
Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here?
I am still trying to get my hands on that 150MPG carburetor that evil oil companies are hiding from us.
Much like the "benefits " of ethanol.
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