Question:
I think I may have figured out a way to improve on the
efficiency of electrolysis...
I'm not suggesting free energy, just less waste.
This is the first time I've had an idea thats useful in this group, I
will let you all know how it goes...
if it turns out I was a complete moron, then I may not even tell you
about it, but if it works, you'll be the first to know.
Answer:
Electrolysis can already be done at very high efficiency. Electrolysis
by itself is not where the loss becomes important in the whole energy
vector. As electricity comes primarily from coal at 30% the heating
value, this is why electrolysis is a loosing proposition.
coal > electricity 30%.
electrolyses -> 85%.
hydrogen storage, handling -> 85%.
hydrogen to mechanical energy, very optimistic -> 30%
So, coal to mechanical energy via hydrogen -> 6%.
Coal liquefaction nets better than 90% in a complete process to fuel. So
with a hybrid doing 30% now you net 27% heating value of the coal.
4 to 5 times less coal.
