Water vapor traveling into the less dense stratosphere finds itself in a field of ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun. This causes the water vapor to become ionized sufficiently to from hydrogen ions and ozone. The hydrogen ions then migrate along magnetic field lines and collect at the north pole. The denser ozone does not have the energy to migrate and forms the ozone layer. Could we duplicate this process on the surface whereby we utilize ultraviolet light to produce hydrogen and ozone fuels. This would require a vacuum chamber exposed to ultraviolet light and an imposed magnetic field. Polarization of the light so as to reduce the heating effect of the lower frequency wavelengths.
Sparks
Sounds straight forward
A vacuum chamber [what do you think the psi is where this ionization takes place in our atmosphere?]
An ultraviolet light, polarized
A magnetic field [how would you determine the strength]
Copying nature!! [HAS TO BE DOABLE]
More please
Chet
is the low pressure a must? i don't think so! Less pressure means less vapour available to decompose,so why to make this idea inherently inefficient?. In atmosphere at his heights no other conditions can be achieved, here on Earth we can do better :) for the rest i agree with ramset. Unfortunately lots of Sun UV got absorbed already in the atmosphere and there may be not enough for us left.
nice idea anyhow.
The hydrogen ions are real dense compared to the free electrons. If the vapor density is too high there is greater probablity that the free electrons will be recaptured by the ionized hydrogen. This would result in heating of the molecules instead of ionization. You could always try to pulse the field to increase the ion electron seperation by differential mass response of the ions and the mutch lighter free electrons. This is increased energy input to the cell but the yield may warrant it's use.
Hi Sparks I have a unit similar to what you describe it uses ultraviolet light , magnets and Tio2 , I feed it vapor from a ultrasonic water fogger and this is pulled through in a partial vacuum , I will post pics when I work out how to do so.
Regards ,
Robbo
Cool!
I think mother nature does this pretty much everyday. The hydrogen ions loop around the magnetosphere and collect at the north pole. Just need to get ourselves a pipe up there and harvest megatons of hydrogen produced everyday before a geomagnetic storm blows them away into outerspace. ;D