A.I.M. Users Bulletin Board

[OldAIMGuy]

Hi ET, Thanks for that article on fuel cells and motive power. It does a nice job of showing more of the "big picture" than a used electric car salesman is going to do.

Reforming hydrocarbon sources to make hydrogen and carbon dioxide is referred to as an "endothermic reaction." That means it's a Heat Absorbing process and takes energy to make the catalytic shift. That's where the big loss of efficiency takes place.

The biggest efficiency strides in internal combustion engines will come with the use of engineered ceramics. Whether this IC Engine is a turbine, piston or some other contraption, the way to higher thermal efficiency is higher internal operating temps and better extraction and conversion of that heat energy to motive power. (This use of engineered ceramics might provide a place to investigate for a long term investment idea. Already modern Diesels are using some internal ceramic bits and pieces.)

I've used the Thermos as an example in the past. A Thermos is a very efficient device for keeping something warm (or cold). However, it doesn't explain the energy needed to get the material hot or cold in the first place. Fuel cells are very efficient in conversion of hydrogen to electric energy, but we still need to have a source of hydrogen.

One needs to do good energy accounting - certainly better than Enron and their accountants did!!!


Thanks again,
Tom