Fred,
Recombination of 2 OH to form HOOH is 2.2 eV per bond (213
kJ/mole) is lost energy ...
But it isn't "lost" if it supplies the energy (recycling the
catalyst) needed to dissociate the O from the M-O, for instance.
Or, from you original post about your experience with Manganese
reactions (at Sandia) ...
2 MnO + O2 ----> 2 MnO2
H2O (on a metal surface) H-OH + M <----> H + OH:M
Overall: 2 H2O + O2 + M <----> 4 OH + M (where M is a metal or
Metal Oxide)
However, after refining the supply calculation more, and talking
to an redox expert - it does appear that there is a big probelm
with this concept for certain implemenations - for instance, it
will not be feasible for use in the small tool engine market, or
even for motor cycles.
The situation for automobiles and home use is this:
For every gallon of biodiesel, LP, diesel or gasoline fuel burned,
about six gallons of oxidant (50% HOOH) will be needed. 50% in the
minimum that will self-ignite, and several companies are selling
it for the hobbiest rocketry enthusiasts:
http://systemesolaire.safeshopper.com/2/cat2.htm?181
The oxidant has substantial energy content and will supply about
half of the net energy used in the ICE, and the process will be
very efficient, but also very bulky.
I can see a future situation where a household or neighborhood
co-op can make their own electricity, heat and hot water cheaper
than they can buy it from a utility - using a small shed for the
engine and circulating the steam for heat before condensing it.
But mobility of the total system is an issue even for automobiles.
There is no problem in actually manufacturing this much peroxide,
"on the fly" using a minimum of parasitic energy from the engine,
if your reactor and concentrator is large enough (5-10 gallon
capacity perhaps), but the problem is *space* and the need for a
large radiator to condense most of the water from steam in the
exhaust, so that less water is used to make the peroxide in the
ongoing system.
Even when gasoline hits $5 in the USA (after the next election)
few automobile owners are going to want to carry the full 60
gallons of water to burn 10 gallons of gasoline. They won't need
to - if steam from the exhaust is condensed.
I do not see storing peroxide, made elsewhere, as a viable
option - it is too dangerous. If it cannot be made economically
"on the fly" then this idea is a bust.
Jones
