----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Tarara <rbtarara@SPRYNET.COM>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 8:55 PM
Subject: Re: Fuel Cells and "green" energy
I don't know where to stick this thought (no smart answers please). I am
under the impression that fuel cells consume hydrogen at close to 100%
efficiency, which makes them a providential choice for consumption. Also,
while liquid, hydrogen might flow in the jackets that surround
superconducting transmission lines. (By "high temperature" they still are
thinking "pretty cold".) I did a back of envelope heat transfer line
expectingb a negative result for super conductors and, to my surprise (and
delight in being wrong), I computed otherwise.
The solar guys at U of H who serve the space shuttle said a 30-year lifespan
(for solar panels) is used in their calculations. Howard Odum is
*extremely* pessimistic about solar. If I had a megabuck grant , I would
start the energy balance the long, hard way; but I am still seeking a
"trick" to get at this calc. with an HP calculator.