Gas Goes Solid

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."

Comments

Re:One problem

[Anonymous Coward]

What are you, stupid? Where was no mention of cars in the article. How many people run their cars on natural gas? The percentage would be tiny. I don't know about you, but most people run their cars on petrol.

What, is the circus in town?

[Anonymous Coward]

I give you:

• Exhibit A: "liquid gas". That's kind of like saying "iron[Fe] carbon[C] plutonium[Pu] consisting entirely of oxygen[O]!".
• Exhibit B: "methane ... a colorless and odorless gas". Yeah, tell that to the average septic tank maintenance guy.
• Exhibit C: umm... I'm sure the article has a good many other booboos in it.