alt.energy.renewable

On Aug 26, 12:11 pm, LearningDan wrote:
> > Im somewhat surprised that there hasnt been the development and
> > publicty given to making electric cars using direct conversion
> > gasoline fuel cells.
> > Efficiency is much better than burning the gasoline as is done now
> > and the dsitribution system would need no change.
> > Whilst you are still dependant on oil you would use far less of it
> > ,and it would become practical to derive the oil to make the gasoline
> > from coal.- Hide quoted text -
>
> Mauried, a very interesting question. If using gasoline to power fuel
> cells is feasible (and it seems to me it should be in a gaseous state,
> like that used in camping gear) it would make a lot of sense as you
> mention*. Your idea got me to do a little search on the web:
>
> "Fuel-cell future for gasoline?" /articles/2000/1st/
>
> "Fuel Cell FAQs" /ipa/
>
> ...What sort of fuels can be used in a fuel cell? Fuel cells can run
> on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, natural
> gas, and liquefied petroleum gas. Energy from biomass, wind, and solar
> sources can also be used. Because they function on such diverse input,
> fuel cells are a logical choice to transition from current
> technologies to renewable energy sources.
>
> Which type of fuel cell is best? According to a recent study by Arthur
> D. Little, Inc., there is no single "winner" that will eclipse other
> types of fuel cells because the market for fuel cells is so diverse,
> ranging from large utility power plants to automobiles. The attributes
> of each fuel cell make it particularly suited to certain applications;
> for example, the gasoline fuel cell (when it is developed) will be
> most useful in electric cars. Though the hydrogen fuel cell is not
> suited to this application, it does not mean that the gasoline fuel
> cell is "better." No single type of fuel cell is best; each is suited
> to a particular purpose....
> .....
> * But even though the gas station infrastructure would make the fuel
> readily available, from what I see there seems to still be the problem
> of gasoline reformation. And then there's the problems of what happens
> to the leftover carbon as well as the continued dependence on fossil
> fuels. Though both of these last issues might be rationalized by
> calling them necessary interim evils, I'm wondering if it would be
> worth it.

JUST DREAMING: Wouldn't it be nice if we could come up with a reformer
that could split gasoline into H2 and pure carbon? Then the carbon
could be used as a fuel as well. Sounds like "more bang for the buck"
if it could be accomplished.