Posted by 64bowtie on December 3, 2004, at 15:55:59
In reply to Re: other alternatives » alexandra_k, posted by AuntieMel on December 3, 2004, at 14:15:49
Thanks, Mel, for going down this road...
The surface of the earth creates about 80,000 miles of coastline. Up to four miles out into the oceans is a field rich in hydrate shale. No matter how hard you squease the shale, no oil drips out. Oddly, there is a cleaner burning fuel locked into the shale. It is methane gas, that same stuff we cook with.
These 80,000 miles of coastline, and four miles out, makes up a field of potential fuel of over 300,000 square miles. Any country whose coastline creates at least 100 square miles, can produce the equivalent of all the power they are now using. The problem is how do you harvest the gas and contain it, when to date it is being liberated to atmosphere un-harnessed?
What is really happenning to the ozone layer? Hydrate shales are liberating methane which eats the ozone layer. If we harvest this methane safely, the full ozone layer can return.
Guess what? The cost of the actual harvesting would be nominal because it's already happening without mankind stimulating the process. I have a scheme that would cost initially far less than the billions being spent today prospecting for oil. Maintenance would be simple and the gas would actually pump itself to the surface.
It has been estimated that we might have 50 to 100 years of oil left. This potential methane supply today is the equivalent to an energy source a 100 times what oil has been used, is being used, or ever will be used. Left undisturbed for as little as 25 years, the harvested undersea field replenishes itself.
Endless power... And no corn or soybeans for fuel, except for our bodies!!! More tofu! Yum!
Rod
poster:64bowtie
thread:423423
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20041129/msgs/424037.html