CO2 Free Engine - Alternative Energy for Propulsion

[knottybuoyz]

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have recently made a significant announcement—the completion of a first prototype CO2-free engine called the Magnesium Injection Cycle (MAGIC) engine. Although still at the experimental stage, this joint project, initiated in 2005, has developed a prototype that has successfully worked without the need for fossil fuels.



The Magnesium Injection Cycle engine is powered without using fossil fuels Power is generated by the chemical reaction between magnesium and water, which produces high-power steam and hydrogen. The hydrogen is burned at the same time to produce more high-power steam, and the two steam sources power the engine. The new technology produces no carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions and the only by-products from this reaction are water and magnesium oxide. The magnesium is separated from the oxide through a solar-powered laser process and is reused over and over again as fuel. This clean energy cycle, which is supported by solar power, has the potential to steer society away from its dependence on fossil fuels, and could bring about a paradigm shift in the way future energy needs are met.
The new MAGIC technology is very versatile, and has potential for use in cogeneration, automobiles, ships and many other areas. MC and the Tokyo Tech team believes it will take another three years of further research and experimentation before it is launched for commercial use.

Mitsubishi Monitor

About 3/4 of the way down the page.

[sluissa]

While it sounds interesting, it sounds an awful lot like a battery powered electric motor. Power is generated through chemical reactions, and then solar panels are used to reverse those reactions so that they can occur again.

If they're putting this much research into it though, it must have the potential to be more efficient than electric motors. If it turns out to be as good as they say, and is feasable for a small boat, I wouldn't mind using it myself one day, but we'll have to see.

[Alan Wheeler]

So the steam part is similar to the Sterling engine that wispergen already have in use. The only difference really, is the energy used to heat the water to steam. Turning the Magnesium oxide back to magnesium takes one hell of a lot of energy and way more than what it would have produced in steam energy. So that will result in some major solar power. The result is a Solar powered chemical energy self regenerating storage device. Maybe you could call that a battery I suppose.

[Trim50]

CO2 free my butt! Unless someone can show me that magnesium tree growing somewhere...probably right next to the hydrogen tree.

[never monday]

I like trees to much to suport CO2 free develoment

[Pblais]

Turning the Magnesium oxide back to magnesium takes one hell of a lot of energy and way more than what it would have produced in steam energy. So that will result in some major solar power.

No free lunch!

[Alan Wheeler]

Taking this discussion to a slight turn off track. I read an ammusing article about Co2 emmison. Did you know that if you walk the same distance as you drove, you would actually cause more harm to the environment that driving would. It seems that to replace the food energy consumed, creates 4X more Co2 than to produce it and get it to us, than driving the car produced.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

Taking this discussion to a slight turn off track. I read an ammusing article about Co2 emmison. Did you know that if you walk the same distance as you drove, you would actually cause more harm to the environment that driving would. It seems that to replace the food energy consumed, creates 4X more Co2 than to produce it and get it to us, than driving the car produced.

I just love paradoxes like this. So don't drive, don't walk....sail!!!!!

[svHyLyte]

CO2 Free Engine - Alternative Energy for Propulsion

SAILS!