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Posted on 04/20/2011 11:01:03 AM PDT by Free Vulcan
What still is not clear is the hydrogen produce for that energy. Is that per hour per molecule?
Being more efficient still means a net loss of energy, just less of a loss. Hydrogen is not not an energy source, it is an energy storage medium and a poor one.
Good point. I bet it will still take two moles of electrons to get a mole of H2. The equation should show H yield to be useful, or show coulombs in vs moles H2 out and the cost of those coulombs.
This is one of those “the cost of solar power will come down a factor of ten in the next two years because of this invention” stories.
Coming soon- Hydrogen, too cheap to meter!
That nuke facility in Japan is pretty good at splitting water into hydrogen as well
Are they nuts? By products are oxygen and monohydrogen hydroxide that can create azeotrope with other solvents.
I'll say. There really isn't that much to split, is there? Now splitting hydrogen from oxygen in a molecule of water is a bit less energy-intensive.
Paragraph 2 is completely misleading. Even if a catalyst produced 100% efficient energy conversion to Hydrogen, it’s still just that - energy conversion. You need an energy source like coal, oil, nuclear, etc.
This work must be stopped immediately as computer models predict this technology will deplete the ocean of water, killing quadbillionzillion sea creatures, destroying the planet and recreational fishing.
By the time they solve this, water will be $4 a gallon.
Actually, it already is $4 gallon or more.
Actually, the primary difficulty with accomplishing anything in this way has been the cost of the energy. Now if the process can be made sufficiently energy efficient, it may provide a much more beneficial use of solar power via high-efficiency solar cells.
While maybe not yet being the complete solution, this process may in fact bring us one significant step closer to the goal.
How many of various energy plants produce excessive power. For instance, a hydroelectric power plant will frequently spill water out of the dam when there is excess power. Also, a nuclear plant will no longer have to cut back on output. It can be making hydrogen when the demand is low.
When they adapt this as fuel for cars, we have mini Hindenbergs across the US (apology to Miller for stealing his line).
And some claim a gasoline ICE is inefficient?
Big deal. My body makes brown gas, which ignites as well. At zero millivolts, no gulldang amperes at all.
Let me guess, always the magical 10-20 years away.
Dunno.
If you can use “free” or intermittent energy sources unsuitable for regular power production (like wind or solar) to crack hydrogen, then store the hydrogen, that it might be a better storage medium batteries.
So the wind farm fills up the hydrogen tanks which are available on a constant basis (unlike wind power).
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