Gardeners Corner Global Energy Policy

I don't know about fuel cells. They seem like magic to me. Of course I'm in no position to discount the idea just because I don't understand it, but as for the turbine idea; the reason I suggested keeping the hydrogen and oxygen together is just because its simpler in terms of the construction of the electrolysis system. With DC, its easy enough to know where the oxygen is and where the hydrogen is, so its easy to keep them separate, but to do so means the supply current has to be rectified (made DC) and the electrolysis system needs two new huge pipes inside the tank. Simple enough, but an unnecessary expense when the hydrogen and oxygen is naturally mixed (in the electrolysis process) for the perfect burn. The only emission of course being fresh water.

 

Ah, of course. We need to be using the same electricity (AC) as is being generated for the Grid.

I suppose its not more explosive mixed as separate? The H and O went back together again with a hell of a bang when Blogs Minor was told to offer up the lighted taper to a washing up bowl with soapy water and then filled with bubbles from the H and O tanks that Sir! had set up.

What twits we were ... all gathered around for a good look, whilst Sir! had sensibly retreated to the far corner and had his hands over his ears!

 

There is the increased risk from the fact that the mix would be very explosive if you kept the hydrogen and oxygen in the same tank, I'll grant you that

However, the tank would be out at sea, so everyone would be well out of the blast radius, and there are many chemical installations around the country that are more potentially explosive. Besides, someone would have to actually light it up for it to go pop. The two gases could be kept separate to lower the risk, but it would probably work out more expensive, and of course cost is pretty much the only limiting factor in any project.

Still, as interesting as all this is, sadly I fear its purely academic. Wind farms are nothing more than a political move to appease the growing number of people that actually care about the environment. No government nor corporation would fund something that wasn't considered to be the accepted standard.

 

"No government nor corporation would fund something that wasn't considered to be the accepted standard."

Yeah, but the government aren't building / owning them are they? I presume its Industry, with a grant from Government probably, so if there was opportunity to get more revenue (i.e. investment cost has a decent payback period) then the job's-a-good'un I reckon :thumb: