Were you wondering what the Prez meant by a couple of vague
references to "new energy technology" in recent speeches?
Over the years, many observers of BLP have noted and commented on
the successful "Thermacore experiment," and the possibility of a
"lost opportunity" having been there for some kind of demonstrable
anomalous energy phenomenon and "new physics".
In today's energy news, GE has finally confirmed a long-standing
rumor - and says its "new technology" could make the hydrogen
economy affordable by "slashing the cost of water-splitting
technology." This is the major part of that "new technology" which
Bush cryptically alluded to recently.
In some ways, however, this new technology is remarkably similar
to the old Thermacore cell - a fact which will NOT hear confirmed
by GE.
As a side note, GE is the prototypical "well-connected clique" -
and one which constantly finds new ways to leverage a dominant
position in many markets, its incredible political clout, and its
enormous R&D resources - all in order to re-invent itself anew
every generation. At various points in time, GE's corporate motto
has been:
... "progress is our most important product" ...
... "imagination at work"
... "we're in the business of building businesses."
... "we bring good things to life"
... but not "we bring old inventions back to life" ... and that
may be part of today's "spin" ... for those who enjoy "reading
between the lines."
The big problem facing the (recently) politically-correct goal of
a national "hydrogen economy" (now that W has seen the light - and
what it means in terms of securing Federal funding) is simple: how
to make hydrogen cheaply. Nuclear energy has heretofore been the
most likely way, and GE is in on that avenue also. Splitting water
using electricity from energy sources such as wind, solar, OTEC,
waves or tidal flow is too expensive to be practical.
Researchers at GE now are claiming a less expensive process to
directly produce hydrogen via electrolysis for about $3 per
kilogram. One kg of H2 is comparable to a gallon of gasoline in
energy, but perhaps can deliver a little more equivalent in an
automobile - yet today's cost for H2 is said (by GE) to be $8 per
kilogram. As almost everyone appreciates, this time next year H2
at $3/kg will be a bargain.
GE goes on to say (perhaps disingenuously) "You can only make it
so much more efficient; there isn't a lot you can do. So we've
attacked the capital costs" ... aha ... the spin is also PC. Other
observers of persistent rumors at the company are not so sure that
the Thermacore setup of potassium hydroxide and nickel is not
adding something vital to the mix which they would rather NOT
divulge publicly (even though the Thermacore patent has lapsed).
Instead GE claims a plastic called Noryl is the key to a
relatively cheap electrolyzer - as it is used to coat the
electrodes with a proprietary nickel-based catalyst with a large
surface area.
The problem with GE's public spin is:
1) the plastic is NOT cheap and in fact is very expensive.
2) the actual efficiency figures are being closely guarded, but
the rumors are provocative.
3) you cannot keep engineers at conferences (especially at happy
hour in the Hotel lounge - from bragging).
4) the plastic is a good proton conductor
5) GE does not want to jeopardize its patent position, and in some
ways Noryl is both a key element AND a red herring.
Needless to say, many on this forum, and Boulder, and in parts of
Joisey are anxiously awaiting the "spin-free" version of this
story.
Jones
