This project is solving the Renewable Energy Explorer challenge.
Renewable Energy Explorer - Title: Water Thermolysis Proton Exchange Energy Power (WATPEEP) - Author: Frederick Agyemang - Date: 21/04/2013 - In my attempt to explore renewable energy, when an atom of water is taken, the two hydrogen contains 2 electrons in one atom of water (H2O). Thus if we consider the chemical reaction that takes place in a Proton Exchange membrane fuel cell, where the hydrogen molecule at the anode produces protons through oxidation while freeing two electrons to pass as current through external closed circuit to the cathode. Now my question is if 1 gallon of water contains such an enormous number of electrons, can we employ technology which could harness these electrons to solve our energy needs. Now, considering 1 gallon of water (about 3.785 Liters or 3785 cm3), the molecular weight of water is 2 H (molecular weight 1) + 1 Oxygen (Molecular weight 16) for a total of 18. The density of water is 1g/(cm3) so in 1 gallon of water ( about 3.785 Liters or 3785 cm3) the mass of the water is, 3785g. 1 mole of 6.02x1023 molecules of water is equal and has the mass in grams equal to the molecular weight or 18 grams per mole. so 3785 grams corresponds to about 1.265 x 10 to power 26 molecules of water. The number of mols in a gallon of water, just multiply that by three, since there are 3 mols in H2O. So there are 3.795 x 10 to power 26 mols in a gallon of water, this figure contains 2,530 x 10 to power 26 numbers of electrons. Water (H2O) can exist in 3 main forms 1) Liquid (water), 2 Solid (ice block), and 3) Gaseous (vapor or steam). In these three states, it is assumed that the number of electrons still remains the same. Now if one gallon of water is heated to the boiling point in small mini boiler, the steam could be channel through Thermolyzer,( a process that break the chemical bonds between hydrogen and oxygen through heating). Reaction of endothermic occurs as the heat applied (thermolysis) to the Thermolyzer to break the chemical bonds between hydrogen and oxygen. A process known as exothermic, could result in a thermal runaway, the heat escape could aid the steam generation. Assuming the output from the thermolyzer is hydrogen molecules containing electrons. Now if the hot gaseous hydrogen could be made to flow through a proton exchange membrane, which consist of a catalyst (platinum) to break the bond between the protons and the electrons and a polymer membrane which will conducts only positively charged Protons ions whiles blocking the electrons. The electrons could then be made to flow through an external circuit. The return path for the electrons can now employ the solar cell technology that is having a phosphorous (which is electrons deficient) material in the boiler to attraction the returning electrons. The amount of energy needed could depend on the amount of heat employed in the steam generation. this process could be known as Water Thermolysis Proton Exchange Energy Power (WATPEEP).