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Burning water the way to a greener future
TIMOTHY WOOD looks at a new company which is set to revolutionise the gas industry
In 1874, Jules Verne predicted that water would be the fuel of the future. Dusan Petrovic has made that prediction a reality by inventing the Green Gas Generator. His invention uses an electrolytic process to convert ordinary tap water into a flammable gas which doesn't cause pollution.
Electrolysis, a way to break water up into hydrogen and oxygen, was first achieved by physicist Michael Faraday in the 1800s, but scientists have never been able to recombine the two gases in a stable form. Petrovic's invention achieves this for the first time and the technology is now available in southern Africa. Roets learnt about the generator when, after a stint working for multinational companies in London, he decided to visit Singapore in December 1996. "On arriving, I read about the generator in the Straits Times. I was fascinated so I set about trying to contact the managing director of Green Gas Holdings, Francis Chua." Roets, who doesn't lack chutzpah, eventually found his way to the factory and was given the grand tour.
Barely a month later, in January 1997, he returned to Singapore with a raiding party, determined to secure the distribution licence for Africa. With business partner Brian Parry and a willing financier, he secured the agency for Africa and the rest is almost history.
The model 1500 generator used for demonstrations is a 50cm² cube that weighs about 120kg and produces gas on demand. The technology can cater for anything from small workshops to massive plants. Its immediate application is in the cutting, welding and brazing sectors.
"At less than 20% of the cost of standard oxy-acetylene, the generator produces hydroxy gas that burns at 3 000 °C. One litre of water will produce 1 860 litres of gas, sufficient for hours of continuous operation," says Green Gas engineer Mark Gelman. "The only by-product is water vapour."
The gas's focused cutting flame enables it to slice through 100mm-thick steel with remarkable speed and efficiency. The gas's properties also allow bevelled cuts which cannot be achieved as effectively using oxyacetylene.
The cut produced using green gas is visibly cleaner than one using oxyacetylene. In a demonstration using a straight line cutter, the surface was ready for use immediately. No grinding was required as the heat zone was small. Skilled operators are able to make cuts without any slag adhering to the cut. The acid test is in brazing thin plates of steel to each other. Artisan Tony Cotton of Globe Engineering Works explains: "With oxyacetylene, thin plates distort because the heat of the flame is unfocused and spreads uncontrollably." There was no buckling when the green gas was used.
The only apparent disadvantage of the generator is that it requires a nearby power supply which reduces its portability and flexibility.
Potential applications include transportation fuel, incinerator facilities, and replacing conventional electric arc furnaces used to refine gold. Green gas also facilitates the welding of aluminium. In China, the bright flame produced by hydroxy gas is being used for household lighting. Roets notes: "A glass of water has 300 times more energy than an equivalent volume of petrol."
The safety of green gas is also impressive. Gelman explains: "Green gas is far safer than conventional fuel gas. It has a low density, dissipating very quickly when released. "You can leave the gas running for hours in a room with a naked flame and no ignition will occur. This is especially important in the ship-building industry where explosive oxyacetylene gas often escapes and settles in the bilges."
Roets, who is an aspirant mechanical engineer, has revealed an impressive strategic understanding of green gas's future. "We are negotiating with some of the largest gas companies to form a strategic partnership. Whilst hydroxy gas is an alternative to oxyacetylene, we are interested less in competing than in developing new applications for the gas. "It has outstanding qualities that require further research and development."
The model 1500 generator is priced at R25 000. "The initial capital outlay seems high, but we can prove that moderate to large gas users would achieve short pay-back periods. "Green Gas will be offering creative financing and leasing schemes to make the technology more affordable. "We also have unconditional technical support from our parent in Singapore."
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