alt.energy.renewable

On Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:07:55 -0700, Himpg < @ >
wrote:

>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.
>

Have a look at this.
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