[geeks] [rescue] Computerfests (was: first real server hardware) -OT

[David A de Gruyl]

* on [04-04-28 13:35] R. Lonstein wrote:
>Don't forget that just freeing the hydrogen isn't enough. You need to
>transport it from the source to the point of use. The obvious existing
>tech way is to create an infrastructure and pipeline it to a
>distribution point and then move it in a tank to get close to the use,
>which, aside from the costs of building the distribution
>infrastructure from scratch, means compressing it. That compression is
>a large additional energy input even if you assume the infrastructure
>is free.

Actually, piplining hydrogen is generally a bad idea.  Hydrogen 
molecules are _very_ small.  Sealing hydrogen lines is a big problem.  
(air tight pipes are generally not hydrogen tight).  Pipelining for 
short distances is common, long distances are not. 

Oh, and at a couple of million dollar (each) compressors are not 
something to just toss around.  Especially when considering the 
consumption rate required.

For transportation, using electricity to transport the energy is 
preferred.  But entropy increases. (Making hydrogen from water cost more 
in terms of energy than you get when you burn it).  A significant amount 
of hydrogen is produced as a by-product of gasoline production, however 
much of this goes back into taking out the sulfur and nitrogen.

David

-- 
David de Gruyl <david at bhaermandegruyl.org>