ALTERNATIVE FUEL discussion forum.

[Happy Valley]

I pedal a bike much more than I ride a motorized bike, & I am almost 60 ! I feel that "human fuel" is as cheap as it gets. I would hope that many others on this forum feel the same way, & do not ride their powered bikes everywhere they go. It is a great & fun way to exercise. The need to conserve fuel trickles all the way down to each ounce of fuel.

I quite agree.

My main interest is bicycles but I'm afraid I've gotten to the age that without a little power assist at times on certain terrain I'd do less biking, the upshot being less overall exercise.

I really like the concept of MAB and for my own part will contain the idea in that context without mission creep; if I wanted a motorcycle I'd buy one.

I also think for legal reasons and longevity of the idea in it's present but tentatively de-regulationed form, it's the best way to go.

 

[kerf]

I understand the negative aspects of this discussion as most would label me as negative. It's not that anyone wants to stop progress but this debate has moved from the realm of the engineer / inventor to the political arena. Many in the "Green Movement" advocate the immediate cessation of hydrocarbon fuels in order to " save the planet" and have a very in your face attitude. These people have openly stated their desire for $8 a gallon gasoline just to reduce its use, regardless of the economic impact on society. Today, there is no substitute for crude oil and the process to find a viable alternative is in its infancy. The political issues have again split the country.

 

[dwsutton]

I understand the negative aspects of this discussion as most would label me as negative. It's not that anyone wants to stop progress but this debate has moved from the realm of the engineer / inventor to the political arena. Many in the "Green Movement" advocate the immediate cessation of hydrocarbon fuels in order to " save the planet" and have a very in your face attitude. These people have openly stated their desire for $8 a gallon gasoline just to reduce its use, regardless of the economic impact on society. Today, there is no substitute for crude oil and the process to find a viable alternative is in its infancy. The political issues have again split the country.

I cant believe I competely agree with you ......
D

 

[kerf]

Thanks DW, one additional comment. Science must never be a popularity contest, It must always be about hard empirical data. Politics is always a popularity contest, that's why the two don't work well together.

 

[softride]

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/
Royz

 

[alternativefuel]

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/
Royz

Very cool post. Thank you.
Now the discussion.....
I wonder how much energy is used to heat his boiler? If the boiler has to burn for 24/7 that's a lot of wasted energy. We could run a steam engine instead.
Has anyone seen his plans?
I guess if you live up north and going to heat your home/hot water with wood you could use that same heat source to heat the boiler at the same time.

 

[JemmaUK]

In the UK - 1 Gallon of petrol - 4.54 litres of same - was £6.25 this last time I went to get some.

This equates to $12.50.

Even so given 130 miles or so per gallon I am looking at a fuel only per mile cost of 5p or 10 cents american. I am being more careful with the engine at the moment as well, so I should get better mileage.

So the comparison is - a two way bus trip at £2.80 for an all in distance of about 4 miles.. or getting on the bike and spending 20p for the same trip..

The only time I dont go into town on the bike is when I will be drinking alcohol, which I do about twice a week. The longest regular journey so far is a 22 mile or so round trip to see my grandmother.

I have used a small percentage of nitro mix in the motor - I dont think it has helped it any since its running rougher without it - which I find a little odd (unless its clutch noise) and the only thing that it really improved is starting.

A tuned pipe has made a massive difference. One local hill I would ride up and be at 20mph by the top with the engine really fighting. Now the same hill with a tuned exhaust I hit the same point at 28mph! oddly though I dont have much more top speed - although that might be to do with the carb more than anything else.

I dont think these eco fuels are the answer. I think that proper and economical use of the technologies we have is much more sensible.. I have seen a 1725cc two stroke motor dyno at 300+hp when my 1725cc engined car could just about hit 90hp.. so will someone tell me why we are using 4-strokes? a hybrid 2 stroke/electric car with the relevant pollution controls would be a much more efficient powerplant and alot easier to package...

Jemma xx

 

[nwguy]

Regarding Hydrogen storage, yes that has been one of the three main obstacles thwarting its rise. (green) production and distribution being the other two. Hydrogen requires pressure of about 5k psi for useful storage in gaseous form. One potential storage idea I read about is converting pure Hydrogen to Ammonia (NH3) which can be stored with vastly lower pressures as a liquid at room temperature, and is 3/4 Hydrogen. The smell and dangerous vapors with Ammonia would be yet another obstacle though.

 

[graucho]

Regarding Hydrogen storage, yes that has been one of the three main obstacles thwarting its rise. (green) production and distribution being the other two. Hydrogen requires pressure of about 5k psi for useful storage in gaseous form. One potential storage idea I read about is converting pure Hydrogen to Ammonia (NH3) which can be stored with vastly lower pressures as a liquid at room temperature, and is 3/4 Hydrogen. The smell and dangerous vapors with Ammonia would be yet another obstacle though.

For those interested in keeping a MB and a car....
My expertise is in "ON BOARD" hydrogen fuel cells. No storage tank.
You turn your car/truch on, it starts producing. Shut it off, it instantly
stops. Ill start off with the most basic videos showing the principlal of
making your own fuel cell. This fuel cell will increase milage 1.5 mpg.
It's not much to brag about but its a perfect lesson.
Then we can work our way up to getting 37% more milage. Were full of tricks up our sleeeeeeves.

Start with the oldest view date and work your way to most current.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ThePowerTube

 

[alternativefuel]

For those interested in keeping a MB and a car....
My expertise is in "ON BOARD" hydrogen fuel cells. No storage tank.
You turn your car/truch on, it starts producing. Shut it off, it instantly
stops. Ill start off with the most basic videos showing the principlal of
making your own fuel cell. This fuel cell will increase milage 1.5 mpg.
It's not much to brag about but its a perfect lesson.
Then we can work our way up to getting 37% more milage. Were full of tricks up our sleeeeeeves.

Start with the oldest view date and work your way to most current.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ThePowerTube

Great hydrogen fuel cell starter link graucho.

Here is a cool video that got me started in 1995.
I Like the 4 stages of revolutionary development.
1. Its nonsence. dont waste my time.
2. O' its interesting, but not important.
3. I always said it was a good idea.
4. I thought of it first.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2464139837181538044