Popular Mechanics article on water for fuel

[SunnyJim]

Not to stir the pot just came across the article while looking at something else and thought it may shed some light on the issue for those in the last discussion.

Here's the deal, people: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

There is energy in water. Chemically, it's locked up in the atomic bonds between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. When the hydrogen and oxygen combine, whether it's in a fuel cell, internal combustion engine running on hydrogen, or a jury-rigged pickup truck with an electrolysis cell in the bed, there's energy left over in the form of heat or electrons. That's converted to mechanical energy by the pistons and crankshaft or electrical motors to move the vehicle.

Problem: It takes exactly the same amount of energy to pry those hydrogen and oxygen atoms apart inside the electrolysis cell as you get back when they recombine inside the fuel cell. The laws of thermodynamics haven't changed, in spite of any hype you read on some blog or news aggregator. Subtract the losses to heat in the engine and alternator and electrolysis cell, and you're losing energy, not gaining it--period.

You can read the full article here.
The Truth About Water-Powered Cars: Mechanic's Diary - Popular Mechanics

If you are interested in this kind of technology and you don't have a subscription to Popular Mechanics and Popular Science you should. Both mags are cheap and are filled with home built projects just like an HHO generator. home wind turbines, solar and so on.

Decided to add the second article by PM and Dateline NBC.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/gas-mileage/4310717

 

[LostInTheWoods]

SunnyJim, you don't think something as banal as real, proven science is going to end this debate, do you? :laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Yah, man, I tried and tried to talk science to him and I finally gave up! He is not interested.
James K0UA