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Alternative fuels
What are the alternatives to fossil
fuels and other traditional energy sources? Many are eager for a transition into a hydrogen based economy, this author
included. What is a hydrogen economy, how will we get there and what are the stumbling
blocks, find out!
A recent study by Cal Tech suggests that intense scrutiny concerning detection
of leaks in the transfer and storage of Hydrogen will be essential to
development and implementation of the Hydrogen Economy, see an
article from
Wired News.
This article display many interesting
links to help support solutions to the problems discussed above. Is the
Hydrogen
economy of to shaky start?
Imagine giving your sell phone a
shot of vodka to keep it working! Researchers Saint Louis University have
successfully generated electrical current by catalyzing alcohol using enzymes
with a biofuel cell. They have accomplished producing a current
continuously for over a month and are optimistic that devices will be on the
market in a couple years,
Learn More!
Penn
Engineering, at Pennsylvania State, has a fuel cell using copper, rather than
nickel, this solid oxide fuel cell system (SOFC) allows electricity production
with common fuel such as natural gas, propane, gasoline and diesel. Follow the development of this process at
Franklin
Fuel Cell's Website.
Normally to utilize a conventional fuel a reformer is required, using steam to
prepare the solid fuel for use, by eliminating this a 20% to 40% gain in
efficiency is made. This development should yield great benefits to the
environment in regards to the trucking industry and the problem of idling trucks
and busses! This is a very good way to run the newest idea in autos,
battery powered Electric cars with back-up generators.
You
are probably aware of hydrogen production by splitting water molecules using
electricity, solar panels. Hydrogen can also be had by modifying,
processing, petroleum based fuel, gasoline and by processing
methanol
for use in fuel cells.
l but did you know that research is underway to harness
this useful gas from common pond scum, algae? Check out scientific
research
in this area.
Scientists at the University of
Wisconsin in Madison have a
process
by which hydrogen can be produced from glucose, readily available in corn and
wheat. Using platinum as a catalyst this procedure can also extract
hydrogen from methanol.
A hydrogen powered vehicle from
BMW
turns heads, the petrochemical
distributors need to get on the band wagon.
You have heard the saying "Oil
and water don't mix", well this guy figured out how to do it and make
another alternate fuel, Aqua-fuel.
This new form of automotive
transportation is not full of hot air, but it is full of air, get a hint about a
new car being developed in France, the Air
Car.
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