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| Fuel Cell Tech Hitting The Market |
| 2005-08-27 |
| ..The device, designed to specifications for the US Army by the California company UltraCell, weighs just 1.3 kilograms when fuelled up and is the size of a novel. With a supply of 500 millilitres of methanol, the cell can chuck out 45 watts for a day, which is enough to power a laptop... Almost half an amp at 110 volts is very good. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #8 For comparision purposes, fuel consumption for small 7.5KW RV generators are: RV Quietpact® Generac Generator Gasoline: 1.28gal/hour Diesel: 0.74gal/hour |
| Posted by: ed 2005-08-27 20:31 |
| #7 Bulk methanol is about $2.50/gallon. But it has half the energy density of gasoline. While methanol is mostly made from natural gas (methane) and tracks nat. gas prices, it can also be made from any plant waste containing cellulose and seems more logical than to use make alcohol from grain just to burn it up. Based on the articles fuel consumption of 500ml per day for 45W power output, 1 gallon of methanol would be enough to produce 323W for a day or 7741 Watt-hours. |
| Posted by: ed 2005-08-27 20:15 |
| #6 Russian Army computer flask. |
| Posted by: A Bierce 2005-08-27 19:36 |
| #5 Price please, and how much of what grade alcohol is required per watt delivered? Or since it's the U, S, Army shouldn't I ask? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2005-08-27 18:50 |
| #4 There are lots of variables to power sources, that make them better or worse for particular applications. Batteries have lots of flaws, such as the charge/discharge curve, limited range of current draw, difficulty with peak discharge, and discharge "memory", each of which can severely limit functionality in various types of batteries. Fuel cells give good efficiency from the fuel, can be recharged without an external electrical source, maintain a constant voltage and can handle a wide range of current flows. They also recharge quickly and produce very little pollution. To put it in real terms: there are a couple of hundred standard battery types, but fuel cells are so adaptable, they can not only replace have of these standard types, they can be used in several times the number of applications where batteries cannot be used. (Think, a small fuel cell with a gigantic fuel tank, lasting for years, as one example.) While energy "savings" may not be high, utility will be much greater. Plus the fact that they will not replace batteries, they will add on to what batteries currently do. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-08-27 10:34 |
| #3 Well they do burn stuff we don't have to import from the Middle east or Central America and are portable. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet O´ Doom 2005-08-27 00:57 |
| #2 Fuel cells are just more compact long life batteries. They don't solve any energy supply issues despite the hype surrounding them. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2005-08-27 00:49 |
| #1 with 26 units and a wheel barrow I could operate a skill saw. [worm gear] /Laser Shark tomorrow |
| Posted by: Red Dog 2005-08-27 00:48 |