[NewCandle] Windharvesting

[mixent at bigpond.com]

In reply to  Nick Reiter's message of Tue, 4 Nov 2008 06:45:43 -0800 (PST):
Hi,


See e.g. http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0508-3443/15/8/308 

[snip]
>This has been some wonderful discussion about Aeolian
>generators, etc...  
>
>So here is some wind-harvest notion from another
>angle.  And in keeping with Newcandle spirit, yes, I
>have experimented with this, though results were
>null-to-almost.
>
>Here is the thought.  In any volume of air there are a
>certain number of ions, in some ratio (N2, O2, CO2,
>Ar)  Both positive and negative.  Where you are,
>indoors, outdoors, landscape, water machinery, power
>grid, all contribute to determining this yield.
>
>It should be possible to harvest these ions.  I've
>envisioned several embodiments.  One would be a set of
>fine wire grids through which the wind would pass. 
>One might bias the grids to attract the respective
>ionic charge carriers.
>
>OR, conversely, one could use magnetic separation. 
>Long chutes or windsocks lined with strong magnets,
>and metalized collector zones on the inner surfaces.
>
>The embodiment I had played with last year was the
>latter - just simple experiments of blowing room air
>with a muffin fan through a plastic pipe with inner
>foil strips and external magnets.  Maybe a few mV here
>and there, but indeterminate.
>
>My research was bogged down in trying to find accurate
>estimates of natural ion yield per cubic meter, for
>example.  On-line, I had a hard time finding anything
>other than values being tendered by people trying to
>sell ionizers!
>
>Thats my wind-surfing for the day;)
>
>n
>
>The Holy Grail 'neath ancient Roslin waits.
>The blade and chalice guarding o'er Her gates. 
>Adorned in the masters' loving art, She lies;
>She rests at last beneath the starry skies.
>
>
>      
>
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Regards,

Robin van Spaandonk <mixent at bigpond.com>