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rhen

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Back in the 80s, teaching Year 10 Science, I showed a video that espoused the use of hydrogen gas as a fuel... not in the fancy high tech way proposed today whereby the major companies can generate cash cows, but using internal combustion engines slightly modified (LPG). Demonstrations of the safety of this fuel compared with petrol were conducted. Most importantly fairly exotic metals were used within the fuel tank. These metals overcame the "problems" of the molecular dimensions of the gas, ie its ability to diffuse/effuse through solids. The video showed a bus running successfully and cheaply. The chief cost of this method would be that of the initial fuel tank. Catalyst last night was another distractor in favour of big business.
Can anyone else remember this video better than I?
Does anyone else wonder (not really) at the way "science" has complicated the issues?
Either way, I'm interested to read other forum members' comments.
regards
rhen
 
rhen said:
Back in the 80s, teaching Year 10 Science, I showed a video that espoused the use of hydrogen gas as a fuel... not in the fancy high tech way proposed today whereby the major companies can generate cash cows, but using internal combustion engines slightly modified (LPG). Demonstrations of the safety of this fuel compared with petrol were conducted. Most importantly fairly exotic metals were used within the fuel tank. These metals overcame the "problems" of the molecular dimensions of the gas, ie its ability to diffuse/effuse through solids. The video showed a bus running successfully and cheaply. The chief cost of this method would be that of the initial fuel tank. Catalyst last night was another distractor in favour of big business.
Can anyone else remember this video better than I?
Does anyone else wonder (not really) at the way "science" has complicated the issues?
Either way, I'm interested to read other forum members' comments.
regards
rhen
Click to expand...


Hi Rhen,
I currently teach yr 10 science and I'm pretty sure I have come across that video. I think the main issue is that the 80s hydrogen push was in response to the oil crisis at the time - when that passed, the push faded into the background with the help of the oil and car companies. I don't really think that there is much issue with "science" being able to deal with the problems of implementing hydrogen powered transport, it is more a matter of whether the oil/car companies will back it. :(
 
Catalyst added extra dimension on algae producing bottleable hydrogen.

However, same applies to production of oil, as we use oil right now there are microbes that produce it, it almost looks that we have a choice which energy we are going to produce.

But until big business will be allowed to shelf any patent they like, not much will happen until we almost run out of oil.
 
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