Folks this is huge!
Researchers in Switzerland are testing a process that combines solar energy, zinc oxide and a carbon reducing agent to produce pure zinc and residual gas.
The magic formula is this:
ZnO + C + 90540 cal/mol -> Zn (gas) + CO
The pure zinc product can be used in the production of
zinc metal-air batteries which can be practicably used to power
vehicles and/or stationary electrical power for the grid.
The residual gas can be processed in a number of ways to minimize environmental impact. Engineer-Poet discusses those ways here.
I was first alerted to this breakthrough by Engineer-Poet in his blog post. It is a must read! He in turn was first alerted by this post at Green Car Congress.
The carbon used in the process reduces the heat needed to crack the zinc oxide but according to Green Car Congress, the Swiss researchers are looking into more powerful solar concentrators so a carbon feedstock may not be necessary thereby eliminating awkward handling of residual gas. However some hydrocarbon input would be desirable to produce by-products like fertilizer and methanol which would substitute for diminishing natural gas stocks - see Engineer-Poet's post for more details.
The real beauty is this: a zinc metal-air battery eventually gets tired after a number of recharges when the pure zinc converts to zinc oxide. When that happens just swap in a new battery and send the tired one to recycling to begin the process over.
The carbon can come from coal but it can also come from municipal waste or biomass.
Folks we can now say goodbye to petroleum slavery. The price can drop to a sane level for the whole world to benefit. We will drive zinc metal-air battery cars because they are quieter and non-polluting.
This development puts the ultimate lie to the war, the Bushites' corrupt energy policy and the ridiculous hydrogen initiative.
But most important: we can't let the Bushites rub this out.
Let's get cracking! Let's blog this heavily!
Note: This diary is a refinement of my previous diary on this subject. Special thanks to those who recommended that I republish.