Re: GAS-L: Fuel Cells -- ethanol -- reforming natural gas

[Arnt Karlsen <arnt@c2i.net>]

On Monday 14 January 2002 02:50, CAVM@aol.com wrote:

> So, what we have here is a suggestion that syngas be made from coal
> and run through a fuel cell to produce electricity to be stored by
> flywheels.

..yes, and no, the _looping_ is essential.

> OK, the coal syngas idea was real big in Kentucky in the early 70's
> but folded without a whimper for some reason with not even one plant
> being built here.  I got the idea that the amount of electrical
> energy needed to obtain the gas made it prohibitive.  Can syngas from
> coal be economically obtained now?  If it is a reforming via heat can

..yes, no. 

> we use coal or other biomass for the heat instead of electrical
> energy?

..yes, yes.  Picture that 70'ies electricity as replaced by fuel cell 
exhaust heat.

> The fuel cells are only just now coming out into the real world. 
> They are incomplete, expensive and not widely available.

...and needs to be _big_, and run _hot_.  
Only viable type now, is the Solid Oxide.

> The flywheel idea is just a table top model or maybe only on paper. 
> I read the article about it that was cited and it seems that it may
> one day be a great invention but today it is theory.

..last I heard, is one or a few satellites use them for attitude 
control.  Much more profitable than automotive use.  Which can be 
funded by the former.

> Back to the coal syngas.  Can it be made economically today?  Can it
> be done on less than a gargantuan scale?

..yes, yes.  Like with diesels, you trade compactness for efficiency.  
An auto can carry all and get 90% efficiency.  In 150 years.  
Leaving the coal and gasifier and fuel cell loop behind, 10-15 years.


-- 
..med vennlig hilsen = with kind regards from Arnt...  ;-)

  Scenarios always come in sets of three:
  best case, worst case, and just in case.


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