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Is syngas/synfuel [1] a viable route? Obviously it would be less efficient to produce than pure hydrogen (anyone know how much energy would be lost in the hydro

by birktj 5y ago

Is syngas/synfuel [1] a viable route? Obviously it would be less efficient to produce than pure hydrogen (anyone know how much energy would be lost in the hydrogen conversion step?) and probably cannot compete with natural hydrocarbons with current tech, electricity prices and carbon taxes. However compared to pure hydrogen it should have a couple of advantages: compact (same energy by volume as current fuels) and can take advantage of current infrastructure. If done right it could probably power both current ICE vehicles as well as future fuel-cell vehicles. Can anyone comment on any major downsides except it not really being economically viable with current tech. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_fuel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_fuel

darksaints 5y ago
Yes it is certainly viable. Far too many people think efficiency is going to be the deciding factor, but in reality we already have tons of energy that goes to waste, and it is only going to get larger with intermittent renewables. Over provisioning of renewables seems to be the current best option to deal with baseload demands from intermittent renewables, which will mean that the cost of surplus non-peak energy is going to trend toward $0/kWh. In the end, who cares if it takes 150kWh to make 50kWh of fuel if that 50kWh of fuel only costs $1? I'm 100% sure most trucking companies won't give a shit. This all would mean that efficiency doesn't really matter anymore, but rather the practical characteristics of the fuel. Liquid fuels, and many easily compressed fuels, are amazingly practical. Natural gas is already a viable fuel for many trucking applications, and synthesized methane is incredibly easy. But synthetic diesel and butane are also within the realm of possibilities.
xputer 5y ago
Yes tbh I don't understand why there isn't more attention devoted to making renewable fuels that are more practical than hydrogen. Until we find a better way to store hydrogen I don't think it'll ever take off.

by birktj 5y ago

darksaints 5y ago

Yes it is certainly viable. Far too many people think efficiency is going to be the deciding factor, but in reality we already have tons of energy that goes to waste, and it is only going to get larger with intermittent renewables. Over provisioning of renewables seems to be the current best option to deal with baseload demands from intermittent renewables, which will mean that the cost of surplus non-peak energy is going to trend toward $0/kWh. In the end, who cares if it takes 150kWh to make 50kWh of fuel if that 50kWh of fuel only costs $1? I'm 100% sure most trucking companies won't give a shit. This all would mean that efficiency doesn't really matter anymore, but rather the practical characteristics of the fuel. Liquid fuels, and many easily compressed fuels, are amazingly practical. Natural gas is already a viable fuel for many trucking applications, and synthesized methane is incredibly easy. But synthetic diesel and butane are also within the realm of possibilities.

xputer 5y ago

Yes tbh I don't understand why there isn't more attention devoted to making renewable fuels that are more practical than hydrogen. Until we find a better way to store hydrogen I don't think it'll ever take off.