Simple Device Invented in 1833 May Lead to Cheap Hydrogen
A modern team of Italian researchers has uncovered a device invented by fellow Italian G.D. Botto in 1833 that can be used to generate hydrogen with inexpensive, everyday parts. By reflecting sunlight from two parabolic mirrors onto a hollow tube wrapped in metal and filled with water, the device generates enough electricity to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. Theoretically, the device is so simple that anybody could build it in their garage.
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In the original Botto device, alternating links of platinum and iron were connected in a chain that was then wrapped around a wooden rod. By heating one side of the rod with a flame, Botto was able to generate an electric current in the chain through thermocoupling of the two metals.
Botto’s original intent was to simply show that he could produce electricity using a thermocouple of two metals. Making hydrogen bubbles in water through electrolysis was his way of visually confirming an electric current was present. But, after uncovering the original Botto work, the modern Italian team realized the device had a different kind of potential in today’s energy-dependent world: a cheap way to make hydrogen without advanced manufacturing techniques using off-the-shelf components.
With some modern thinking, the Italian team was able to modify Botto’s device in rather ingenious ways. Firstly, they replaced the flame that Botto used to produce heat with parabolic mirrors to concentrate the sun’s rays on the tube. Secondly, they replaced the rather expensive platinum metal with copper. And thirdly, in order to create a greater temperature difference between the heated side of the tube and the cool side of the tube (greater temperature difference equals larger current), they ran water through the center of it.
The researchers estimate that, although the power output for their experimental device is small (only about 20 mW), it could generate enough current to produce hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water. Given that the device is scalable, I’m guessing it would simply be a matter of daisy chaining enough of them together to generate the required amount of hydrogen.
The researchers also suggest that rather than using a thermocouple of two metals, it would be more efficient to use a thermoelectric semiconductor to obtain a much higher power output. I’m just waiting for them to release a design on the internet so that we can all start experimenting with hydrogen production.
Image Credit: De Luca, R.; Ganci, S.; and Zozzaro, P. “Revisiting an idea of G D Botto: a solar thermoelectric generator.” Eur. J. Phys. 29 (2008) 1295-1300.
Source: PhysOrg.com
Wait, couldn’t you just produce electricity with this device, and skip the inefficient hydrogen step?
Nate,
Many questions need to be answered, nonetheless it’s still an interesting development worth looking into more.
“Theoretically, the device is so simple that anybody could build it in their garage.”
Theoretically…really? Based on what theory?
The theory of colloquialism, Elwood. You know the one that states:
“Using the term ‘theoretically’ to describe how something can be accomplished does not always refer to the scientific definition of the word ‘theory,’ but rather to a colloquial expression meaning something along the lines of ‘quite possibly,’ or ‘given the simplistic nature of the construction.’”
According to Websters, “Theoretically” means “according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles.”
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretically
If that’s really what you picked up on to criticize, I’d suggest reading the rest of the post.
Nate- you are correct in that directly using the electricity generated would be more efficient, but the idea of producing hydrogen is for energy storage, whether to use that solar power at night, or in your EV, by converting that stored energy back into electricity on demand. What I do not understand, is why not just use current PV panels, or existing solar thermal options, instead of this- what makes it cheaper or more efficient than modern electricity generation from existing technologies. I understand that the parts may be ‘off the shelf,’ but that does not necessarily make it cheaper than buying a PV panel for the amount of electricity generated.
Elwood got told.
This is a form of a thermopile - but not in the most efficient way.
Generating energy from the sun using solar cells is expensive. Storing the electricity requires expensive batteries.
Storing hydrogen in compresed form is a good alternative.
Also the hydrogen could be converted to hydrocarbon liquid fuel for even more effective storage.
I see a lot of silly comments. Pease stop wasting your time an ours.
The energy problem is serious for all of us.
Yeah, Elwood. Ya bastard.
Yeah, the key user of hydrocarbons in the US is transportation, 2/3, and electricity itself doesn’t have many good storage medium, especially for remote long hauls like naval shipping. As such, hydrogen is generating a lot of interest more fore its energy storage ability, so a light converting device that goes straight to hydrogen conversion is actually a very intriguing avenue to explore….
Sounds like an excellent discovery.
Amazing that this tech was originally produced in the 1800s and that only now is its full potential being revealed.