Infinite means undefined for some, a very large amount for others, and "until I see the end of it", for yet others.
The electric generating system (http://www.sciforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3835&stc=1?) is comprised of a series of massive high inertia concrete water wheels permanently submerged in the Mississippi River. The system design has reached the start of systems proposal process with this thread and a submitted high level sketch.

Large numbers of massive concrete wheels designed for maximum eficiency, low maintenance, 24 hr operation (and in the same day too!), low construction cost, environmentally innocuous, 0 discharge of polutants and with a potential to provide electric power forever is the essence of the
Mission Mississippi
Infinite Power
Shockingly Clean Source and Distribution

Is Mississippi flowing past us untapped in the middle of the night?
Is the Muddy Mississippi turning you on with a cleaner reading light?
What will our children see when they flip their dark room switch?
A pleasant time a dreamin' of our country's biggest ditch".

The Fish are singing about this one! (http://www.sciforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3836&stc=1)

Geistkiesel

You can't get infinite power from the Mississippi - or any energy source, for that matter. An infinite amount of energy is a very large amount indeed. The entire universe doesn't have that much energy available.

Just a minor math complaint...

Geist,
I did a bit of research on this renewable energy source some time back. I even got in touch with a complany in England that specialises in underwater turbines for generating electricity.

At the time I was investigating using tidal generator for an area close to where I live [Western Port Bay - JamesR should know of it] and was amazed that it wasn't already being done. I since found out that it is indeed being done in fact a large tidal turbine Dam was built in Fance and is currently operating.

I'll see if I can find the appropriate thread....as it has all the links posted there.

I couldn't find the thread however if you google using "tidal generators" you will find many listings. of course you are proposing river flow generation which is a little different......good thinking all the same....

You can't get infinite power from the Mississippi - or any energy source, for that matter. An infinite amount of energy is a very large amount indeed. The entire universe doesn't have that much energy available.

Just a minor math complaint...
James R,
Well then downsize infinite to 10,000 years. The model presented is intended as a practical, additive power sunmming to an infinite amount, not confined solely to a theoretical point of discussion of energy sources. Infinite means, among other usages, "undefined" - what is 'undefined' over 10 thousand years? Answer - an infinite amount of power. My math is not subject to your complaint, not here it isn't.

geistkiesel

Geist,
I did a bit of research on this renewable energy source some time back. I even got in touch with a complany in England that specialises in underwater turbines for generating electricity.

At the time I was investigating using tidal generator for an area close to where I live [Western Port Bay - JamesR should know of it] and was amazed that it wasn't already being done. I since found out that it is indeed being done in fact a large tidal turbine Dam was built in Fance and is currently operating.

I'll see if I can find the appropriate thread....as it has all the links posted there.
Damn the French! There goes another patent, down the tidal drain.

Do all of you out there see this? hear this? Mother Nature says we can cook our breakfast waffles without even a potential for repeatedly and con tinuously fucking up the atmosphere, the environment of the planet with the blue sky..
Thnx QQ

Geistkiesel

I couldn't find the thread however if you google using "tidal generators" you will find many listings. of course you are proposing river flow generation which is a little different......good thinking all the same....
Why thank you QQ. What is interesting is that while a massive drag on the river water velocity, the losses will be recovered down stream from the restoring force of gravity. (http://www.sciforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3835&stc=1?) This gravity force operates as an equilibrium feedback force that maintains the energy state of the river water equilibrium to an extremely fine resolution.

When finally constructed the fish will be singing about this one! (http://www.sciforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3836&stc=1)
Geistkiesel

A while ago I wanted to do an experment with a wooden paddle system connected to a portable generator in our local high tidal bay. An eight foot water padel belt driving a portable 240 volt generator via a gear box.

I haven;t done it yet. Total cost negligable. But am stumped as to why tidal and river generators are not common. It seems just too obvious to me.

Imagine going caping near a fast flowing mountain river and as part of the camp equipment is a bouy system that generates the camps electricity by simply throwing in to the river a portable floating generator tethered to the bank.

Tell me why isn't this type of "free" energy not in common use?
Any reasons?? do you think?

A while ago I wanted to do an experment with a wooden paddle system connected to a portable generator in our local high tidal bay. An eight foot water paddle belt driving a portable 240 volt generator via a gear box.

I haven;t done it yet. Total cost negligable. But am stumped as to why tidal and river generators are not common. It seems just too obvious to me.

Imagine going camping near a fast flowing mountain river and as part of the camp equipment is a buoy system that generates the camps electricity by simply throwing in to the river a portable floating generator tethered to the bank.

Tell me why isn't this type of "free" energy not in common use?
Any reasons?? do you think?

Because you haven't built one and filed for a patent.

There is always the predicted opposition from commercial energy distributors that would be massive (effectively very discouraging) if peceived as a threat to energy markets.

The item would sell if the output power were sufficient (practical) for camping use.
What would be practical uses?
heating thermal tents.
heating thermal clothing, long johns, gloves,
melting ice for water.
electrical source for communications equipment.'

What is a typical design spec for weight/power?

And while the coversaton is on such heady levels how about such a 'anchored stream driven device designed for aircraft (including gliders), powered boats (including sail) and automobiles?
Geistkiesel

And while the coversaton is on such heady levels how about such a 'anchored stream driven device designed for aircraft (including gliders), powered boats (including sail) and automobiles?

Unfortunately I think conservation of energy laws would stop these being practicle....but by using the continuous fall of a river along it's length would prove rather amazing as long as enviro concerns were met.

Unfortunately I think conservation of energy laws would stop these being practicle....but by using the continuous fall of a river along it's length would prove rather amazing as long as enviro concerns were met.
I am not suggesting the devices be used to power the motion of the carrying frames, but as a source of energy for internal use, lights, communcations, navigation etc.
geistkiesel

Unfortunately I think conservation of energy laws would stop these being practicle....but by using the continuous fall of a river along it's length would prove rather amazing as long as enviro concerns were met.
Enviro concerns when compared with all fuel or nuc sources are nonexistent. Certainly the construction of massive dams for energy sources are enormously impacting on enviro concerns. But some tree hugger is going to find some near depleted river bottom worm (the squiggly kind, not politicians wearing concrete boots kind) that needs protecting.

The laws on pollution have an awkward twist. If a poluting factory/plant is allowed 100000 tons of pollution dumped into the atmosphere per year and for any reason is now only dumping 50000 tons, this plant can sell to another polluter his unused 50000 tons of allotted polution.

Geistkiesel

The laws on pollution have an awkward twist. If a poluting factory/plant is allowed 100000 tons of pollution dumped into the atmosphere per year and for any reason is now only dumping 50000 tons, this plant can sell to another polluter his unused 50000 tons of allotted polution.

Geistkiesel


Sort of reminds me of the EPA rules on auto exhaust pollution which is based on % or gases. Mazda achieved passing the grade by adding the pollution pump which takes fresh air and injects it into the exhaust pipe to dilute the concentration. :D

There is a slight advantage in that the cooler air mitigates some formations of pollutants in the exhaust but the overwhelming achievement is to simly dilute what comes out of the exhaust and not reduce the amount of pollutants actually exhausted.

A more workable law would be to limit the quantity of pollutants per displacement volume of the engine. But that would be real control and we couldn't have that.

Sort of reminds me of the EPA rules on auto exhaust pollution which is based on % or gases. Mazda achieved passing the grade by adding the pollution pump which takes fresh air and injects it into the exhaust pipe to dilute the concentration. :D

There is a slight advantage in that the cooler air mitigates some formations of pollutants in the exhaust but the overwhelming achievement is to simly dilute what comes out of the exhaust and not reduce the amount of pollutants actually exhausted.

A more workable law would be to limit the quantity of pollutants per displacement volume of the engine. But that would be real control and we couldn't have that.
You are absolutely right MacM. It is the way it should be, let the polluters control our health and safety. But you know, MacM, afyer all is said and done, we still have the best government that money can buy.
Now Iraq is going to be just like us!
Geistkiesel.