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Gas Goes Solid

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'd-like-a-bucket-of-gas-please dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "This innovation from Japanese researchers can potentially revolutionize the energy distribution sector. Instead of transporting liquid gas, they changed gas into a solid material which is easier, safer and cheaper to distribute. Technology Review has the story. "Rather than extracting methane from hydrates, they want to turn methane into hydrates -- essentially, transforming the colorless and odorless gas into small pellets that can be easily stored, transported, and eventually turned back into natural gas. A few months ago Mitsui, in partnership with Osaka University, opened a demonstration plant near Tokyo to promote the concept and show that it works." Check this column for an analysis."

16 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. The solution is already out there. by GMontag · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't rabbits and deer already produce small pellets that emit methane?

    Cows produce large methane generating chips too.

    Certainly helps with the energy company PR problems, who can argue with a fluffy little cute bunny? Will Greenpeace dare break out the holy hand grenade?

    --
    Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
  2. What is gas? by The+Original+Yama · · Score: 4, Funny

    In Japan, gas is solid.

    In the USA, gas is liquid (i.e. petrol).

    In Soviet Russia, gas is ... ?

    --
    OLPC Australia
    1. Re:What is gas? by Rhinobird · · Score: 4, Funny

      IN SOVIET RUSSIA, gas is... ...called vodka.

      --
      If Mr. Edison had thought smarter he wouldn't sweat as much. --Nikola Tesla
    2. Re:What is gas? by gl4ss · · Score: 2, Funny

      related sitenote.. there was a news-quote somewhere i saw last week or so, that sais that in sweden where etanol is used (experimentally?) as petrol on cars some people are abusing the system by filtering/otherwise_weeding_out the stuff that is not drinkable in it.

      (sweden, as well norway and finland, has quite high taxes on alcohol)

      i wonder if you could abuse these pellets by eating them and then fwarping extra loudly.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  3. Been there. Done that. by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tried to produce gas, came out solid.

    Shit happens.

  4. Freaky by Rhinobird · · Score: 3, Funny

    Whoa...the ice is burning.

    --
    If Mr. Edison had thought smarter he wouldn't sweat as much. --Nikola Tesla
  5. How many miles per? by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    Miles per Gram?
    Miles per Pound?
    Miles per Pellet?
    Miles per Block?

    Heck with this we might as well switch to metric.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:How many miles per? by one9nine · · Score: 2, Funny


      "My car gets forty rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I like it!" - Grandpa Simpson

  6. This is natural gas by SHEENmaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    I assume that a pellet stove could be used with the resulting pellets.

    --
    You can't judge a book by the way it wears its hair.
  7. A new Metal Gear Solid??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Cool... Cool.. where is it...???? ...

    Oh, just a crap article :(

  8. I'll say this much... by KC7GR · · Score: 2, Funny

    It certainly adds new meaning to the phrase "It gives me gas." I can just picture future parents of a teen on his/her first night out driving the family vehicle...

    "Dear, did you remember to give our son gas?"

    "Yes, I did. His trunk is full of it..."

    Etc.

    --

    Bruce Lane, KC7GR,

    Blue Feather Technologies

  9. Beans by cyber_rigger · · Score: 2, Funny

    Beans, the ultimate solid gas pellet

  10. More Than Meets The Eye? by edeloso · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is the next phase of development the transformation of gas into a cube-like dynamic solid called "Energon"?...

  11. I got it! by Chordonblue · · Score: 2, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, gas liquifies YOU! ;)

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  12. Re:Been there. Done that. by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Tried to produce gas, came out solid.

    Your cubicle is probably not the most popular I can gather

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  13. Re:Been there. Done that. by PD · · Score: 3, Funny

    Here I sit all broken hearted
    tried to shit and only farted.
    Then one day I took a chance,
    tried to fart and shit my pants.

    --
    If tits were wings it'd be flying around.