Originally Posted by
bnuk
"Researcher: Aluminum-based pellets make hydrogen when wet, offering alternative fuel source."
CNN-
http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/05/18/...eut/index.html
More detailed version -
http://freerepublic.info/focus/f-news/1835011/posts
Eveybody is all excited about this but I don't get it.
Basically this uses the energy stored in pure aluminum (as compared to Aluminum-oxide) to seperate water leaving you with AlO and H to power a fuel cell or hydrgen car. Interesting, but aluminum has to be "refined" from AlO in the first place using all that energy so basically you are using the almuminum as an overly complicated battery. So many of these alternative methods for powering cars like compressed air and even fuel cells just come down to an inefficent, complicated and heavy battery. The only real advantage is an "instant" refuel. I'm glad people are trying to think about this stuff but if the energy originates from the power grid, I don't see the point.
...and what the hell is a "gallon of hydrogen"? (from CNN)
When I read the second link - I didn't get the same impression you did. They basically said that aluminum and gallium produce a violent reaction (separation of hydrogen and oxygen), the gallium does not get used up but the aluminum does. The 'recharging' of the aluminum pellets, after the hydrogen is collected, should be done by renewable energy sources (such as nuclear plants, windmills, etc.).
The idea is that we can use cleaner means of power to run items. Gasoline is not replenshible the same way this would be. The only downside (as I've read so far) is the cost for the aluminum can't compete with the same energy from $3 of gas. We need to recycle the aluminum and then maybe it'd work. The gallium is a one time purchase.
Just what I got out of the article.