Atlantic Hydrogen Takes the Carbon out of Natural Gas
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.07
There are lots of natural gas powered vehicles in the world, and an infrastructure of distribution. It is, however, a fossil fuel that is also facing peak gas, and while cleaner than other fuels, still produces CO2. So many people are hyping hydrogen as the fuel of the future, but right now most of it is made from natural gas and gives off CO2 in its manufacture. A small Nova Scotia, Canada outfit, Atlantic Hydrogen, has developed an interesting technology that they admit is an interim one and note:" Eventually, hydrogen will come from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, tidal or other. And it will be used in any number of devices, perhaps the most promising of which is fuel cells. These breakthrough technologies still face technical challenges. However, technologies such as modified internal combustion engines that burn hydrogen-enriched natural gas are ready to be deployed now, and as such represent a viable bridge to sustainable clean energy." They have developed a washing-machine sized device that "dissociates natural gas to form gaseous hydrogen and solid carbon without generating carbon dioxide".
So if you own that BMW H7, you can go to any natural gas station equipped with a Carbonsaver and fill your car with hydrogen, and take a little carbon home in a doggie bag.
"The CarbonSaverTM uses a non-thermal plasma technology that dissociates natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon. In addition to the value of the extracted hydrogen and carbon black, the elimination of carbon dioxide emissions that is associated with other technologies produces an environmental benefit which may generate additional revenue in the form of carbon emission credits. Additional research is being conducted to determine the suitability of the rendered carbon for resale."
"this load-following technology can be installed at point-of-use, avoiding the need for costly hydrogen pipelines and storage systems. With more than 200 million natural gas outlets in the world, the opportunities to deploy this technology are vast. It represents a potential for the next generation of clean energy." ::Atlantic Hydrogen
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Honda FC Sport Concept: So Funky it's Actually Cool, or Just Plain Funky Ugly!
- Fuel Cell (Hydrogen-Powered) Wheelchairs
- I Don’t Think Alternative Energy Means What You Think It Means: Fred Pearce to BP
- Greenlanders See Independence and Natural Riches as the Upside of Climate Change
Does anyone have any idea what kind of energy this system requires? It seems to me the electricity to create the plasm may use more than what is gained by making the hydrogen out of the Natural Gas.