buoyancy cycle: mg where the h is free

[sm0ky2]

electrolysis + fuel cell technology is comming very close to a reversable process. (very few losses when care is taken)

i propose the following buoyancy cycle:

1) Water - a container sitting "low" in a gravitational field.
2) electrolysis to break the liquid into two buoyant gasses
3) tanks to capture these gases placed "high" in said gravitational field.
4) a fuel cell to convert the energy from these gasses back to continue the electrolysis process.
5) a generating mechanism to convert the (free) gravitational potential energy gained during the gasseous stage of the cycle.

sort of a perpetual waterfall.

class dismissed, have a great weekend.

[sm0ky2]

graphical

[spoondini]

Very clever mind.

Implying COP=1 (or really close)for the electrolysis and reverse process. Since the gasses will naturally rise, you harness the trip back down to replenish any losses and the remainder is pure OU.

[spoondini]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis?wasRedirected=true

ok, if it's in wiki it must be true (lol)

electrolysis realistic efficiency is around 50%
theoretical max between 80-94%

Correct my logic but this should work as long as COP > 0.

You simply need to solve for the height of the chamber to dtermine how much gravitational energy needed to plug the gap(including all associated losses).

I can already picture a future with water tower like power plants, but fuel cells on top.  All increases of efficiency in the conversion processes allows for reductions in required height and/or increases in existing towers when retrofitted.  Very cool.

[onthecuttingedge2005]

5) a generating mechanism to convert the (free) gravitational potential energy gained during the gasseous stage of the cycle.

sort of a perpetual waterfall.

class dismissed, have a great weekend.

Hi Smoky.

gravity is only a carrier of kinetic energy, the only energy an object has when falling is the energy that was put in to it to lift it up. it stores kinetic energy, no OU.

it requires more force to lift up then there is force when it's falling down, this is why there are no working gravity devices. for steady state dense objects, falling is the path of 'least' resistance.

as far as recycling the gases in the electrolysis reaction have you tried a big condenser coil to re-condense the gases into a pressure canister, this process takes place all the time in a refrigerator condenser system.

have fun anyways.
Jerry