Brian Davies writes:
>>If electrolysis is performed at the bottom of a tall cell then the evolved
gases will rise through the height of the column. This can be used to perform
work. .. the higher the column of water the more work may be done.
The energy required to separate the water would largely be regained when
the gases are re-combined at the top with the work done in between as
extra 'free' energy...
A form of water-wheel in reverse could be driven by the rising gases (one
each for anode/cathode to avoid working with volatile gas mixture).
....<>The gases which could be used to lift weights through the column height
and
simplistically, the higher the column the greater the potential and hence
the amount of energy available.
....<>If I'm barking up a previously climbed tree then please accept my
apologies.. I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in.
<<
My experience with creative or inventive endeavors - is that for every idea
that works or has merit, some 20 or even 50 may be discarded or modified to
get that one that works. (these are not hard numbers in all cases)
So even if some ideas don't pan out, I personally would not want to shut off
the flow of ideas because some don't work. Indeed many "failures" are very
beneficial to learning what doesn't work, or some other aspect not previously
considered - which can lead to new perspectives/discoveries.
This concept of harnessing the "buoyancy" of the electrolyzed gases to
perform work is intriguing - and in principle, if the column were high
enough, and enough "paddles" or "cups" were acting on a common belt or chain,
driving a wheel, there may be significant energy harnessed.
After all, a buoyancy is gravity based, and perhaps this interesting idea has
some merit. Look at the atmospheric weather patterns - all are based on
differences of temp/pressure/density - and hence buoyancy - and the energy
harnessed by the "engine" of a large thunderstorm or hurricane can be
substantial. It has been said that a 20 minute thunderstorm releases as much
energy as a 10 kiloton sized (nuke) bomb - and a cat. 3 hurricane releases
similar amounts every minute or second!
These weather "engines" are based on minuscule differences in
density/buoyancy - whereas the difference between the density of water and
either oxygen or especially hydrogen is substantial, by comparison!
You would not likely get a high speed of rotation of this "belt/wheel" system
due to drag of the water, but you might be able to get a very high torque, if
the column is high enough. Transmission of this torque to an outside system
of gearing, could drive a perm magnet generator, and perhaps produce enough
energy to split the water.
The separated gases are then substantially generated "freely". If it proves
effective, it could offer an interim solution to the energy problems we face
- without a significant disruption of; or rebuilding of current
infrastructure - that of centralized power generation, and distribution.
(which is a substantial impediment to any free energy system, in the shorter
term - you have to able to apply it to the masses easily) (so a transition
from current wasteful, polluting, "burning" for energy production - would be
more gradual, and allow time for newer, more direct "free energy" systems to
develop to the point of implementation. It also keeps the significant
resistance of the greedy, or power hungry [meaning control over others],
somewhat at bay, as they will still be able to "charge" for the service they
provide - at considerably less "cost" than at present - so not only are you
harnessing gravity, but also mankind's greed! - if there appears to be a
megabuck in it - it will be accepted rather easily)
But there may be some serious practical limitations - such as a column
needing to be several miles high!
Simple experiments or even just appropriate calculations, given the right
handbooks and knowledge of the relevant systems, should quickly determine the
feasibility of such a scheme.
My opinion is to keep the ideas flowing - eventually someone will deduce or
stumble upon a really great one! And it may be so simple and intuitively
obvious after we all see it - that we all say "why didn't I think of that!"
Sincerely,
DMBoss1021
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