On Jun 2, 2007, at 12:11 PM, Jones Beene wrote:
If but one in every 1,000 molecules of water vapor picks up an
exciton-type of charge (fractional volt) ... and one is able to
simulate AC by some method, we are still left with... who knows?
Anyway - I agree that the solar tower makes little sense - but this
is too interesting to write off as a direct correlation to that.
The separation of charges required to generate a current requires a
force be exerted on the charges. That force in this case comes from
collision with molecules in motion, that motion being caused by the
buoyancy of the warm air in the column. The collision of the ions
with those molecules in the column in effect introduces friction to
the column flow. The friction reduces the energy available from the
flow just as propellers inserted in the flow reduce the flow in
proportion to the energy extracted by the propellers.
The principle advantage to using ion flow is the direct conversion to
DC electrical energy without the expense of generators etc. The ion
driving technique has been examined for use in windmills, both as
static devices through which wind blows and as devices placed on the
tips of windmill rotors. It didn't work out as cost effective.
However, maybe that doesn't mean it won't work out in a cooling tower
having high humidity.
I think one reason wind walls or wind towers will become economical
is the fact cooling water is starting to come at a premium cost, if
even available. An extremely high tower not only provides access to
cooler high altitude temperatures, it can convert a lowly class I
wind location into a class IV or V location, while providing huge
amounts of surface area for cooling and possibly solar energy gathering.
Regards,
Horace Heffner
