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Hi all,
There is a potential technology that has not yet been raised here and I
think it maybe more likely than ethanol.
That is the technology of off shore hydrogen production through solar
electric disassociation of sea water.
Floating platforms covered with solar cells or other solar powered
generators produces hydrogen which can be packaged for later use in a
variety of vessels now in the research stage. The hydrogen can be used
directly in fuel cells or can be used to produce a hydrocarbon for
use in fuel cells.
Proper containment of the hydrogen renders it safe to transport. These
containers can be recycled so there is minimum wastage and no pollution
produced to speak of.
One of the major sources of inefficiency in both the current energy
distribution scheme and a hydrogen one is getting the energy from
where it is produced to the end user, particularly for mobile use and
in remote locations. Even electricty has significant losses when
traveling long distances. Natural gas, gasoline and oil all have
significant losses at the pump and in pipelines.
Fuel cell technology has been progressing in fits and starts and
is due for some major developments in small scale power sources.
See below for a press release on hand held battery replacement by
polymer based micro-fuel cells. These cells run on methanol and other
high hydrogen fuels.
I don't know if methanol can be produced from sea water, air and solar
electricity, but it might. Even if it is only 25% efficient, all the
raw ingredients are free. The cost is in building solar cells (which are
rapidly coming down in cost) and the floating platforms. The resultant
fuel can be shipped ashore by pipeline or barge.
dennis paull
los altos, Calif.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Press Release by Energy Related Devices, a small company sponsoring
research in novel fuel cell design. They claim to be less than a year
from commercial production.
ERD's Micro-Fuel Cell: How It Works
A fuel cell operates in principle like a battery, producing electricity by
electrochemically combining hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. Unlike
a battery, a fuel cell does not run down as long as fuel is supplied. The
Micro-Fuel Cell from Energy Related Devices is fueled by methanol and is
constructed with multiple layers of thin film. The alcohol side of the film
contains a catalyst that breaks the alcohol down into hydrogen ions and
carbon dioxide. This generates a negative electrical potential on the alcohol
electrode. The hydrogen ions move through the film to the oxygen electrode on
the air side of the cell. The hydrogen ions combine with oxygen from the air
to produce water vapor. This produces a positive charge on the oxygen electrode.
The oxygen and alcohol electrodes form the positive and negative terminals of
the fuel cell equivalent to the positive and negative terminals on a
conventional battery.
Advantages of ERD's Micro-Fuel Cell:
Can be manufactured inexpensively using a printing process similar to the
manufacture of computer chips.
Environmentally responsible energy source that is non-polluting and does not
involve the use of toxic chemicals.
Instant refuel with methanol, a safe, non-combustible, inexpensive, renewable,
plant-based energy source.
"Always On" power source.
Lightweight, compact size.
20 year shelf-life.
WEBSITE INFORMATION
Copies of KTIE press releases, SEC filings, current price quotes, and
other valuable information for investors may be found on the website
http:/www.hawkassociates.com.
