Prometheus Power- Power to the People
The Promise of a Decent Economy: Decent as in ethical, and also as in "decentralized"- this (and subsidies) is how huge corporations are able to out-compete the little guys- Cogeneration. It's definitely not because they're models of efficiency or frugality- those good old values- it's because our power systems are built to complement their Massive Scale!- It's time for the Solid State Revolution of Power Generation!
Small is Beautiful!
This website catalogues the work of Alex Briggs, and ecological engineer. Prometheus power will champion the energy production part of the new infrastructure that he has planned, and will focus on two technologies for small-scale biomass power production: biomethane fermentation, and biomass pyrolysis fuel cells. This website was originally built for the NO DAPL camps of Standing Rock in 2017, focusing on the Methane Fermenter- most of the pages deal with this in some detail.
The Methane Composter:
Upcycling today's waste for a greener future with ancient tech adapted to our modern world
The Cogenerator:
Biomass Pyrolysis Fuelled Alkaline Fuel Cell
This is the true core of the new infrastructure- the best practice for regenerative energy production in a temperate ecosystem (everywhere except a desert and possibly a rainforest).
In essence this is a solar energy system which uses plants as both solar panels and batteries- on demand converting their chemical potential energy into electricity at a remarkable efficiency (theoretically above 60%!) and
The system can be run to be carbon-negative, producing agricultural grade biochar with countless ecological and industrial uses,
And the only exhaust from the fuel cell is steam, so even a chimney could be avoided!
Please contact me for more information, I have some specs and papers- Alkaline Fuel cells were used to power space ships and electric tractors and all the technology is mature, it need only be collated and optimized.
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Wopila! Truly the world is a place full of wonders- that the challenges that we are faced with should have such abundant solutions!
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A Methane Composter is one- a natural process used by humanity for thousands of years and now adapted to current needs. The current model is designed for steady daily use of about 30 people- converting their wastes into enough fuel to boil over 2,500 gallons of water! In time (short time, with your support!) this can be optimized for smaller and smaller units, down to a 2-8 person home-scale version.
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Methane Composters have been utilized in China and India for THOUSANDS of years, and though our small community size and colder climates (as well as building codes..) present challenges, these are exactly the challenges we must take on- to make space on this earth for all to enjoy.
A methane composter is one of many opportunities for us all to take ownership over our futures by building a sustainable life for ourselves and our families- a life that can grow and thrive, making the most of every single nutrient that passes by and through us.
Learning to dance within the subtle patterns of our local ecology and catching natural energy out of this flow.
Or stickin' it to the man and offsetting your gas bill with your own clever investment.
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The Composter will accept all wet organic materials, breaking them down and separating their nutrients from their calories. The calories bubble out as methane, natural gas, and are captured for use. Meanwhile every useable bit of fertlizer (mostly nitrates) is conserved- 40% more than in aerobic composting.
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[eventually oils and sugars can both be separated out and used even more- the longer the chain of hydrocarbon the more use can be made of it. Methane is the shortest hydrocarbon, and the methane composter is the net that catches the last bit of resource as it flows through the cycle of life- perfect for manure!]
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Note- these pictures are gratefully used from the Solar Cities open source methane composter project, linked below. The design shown is not exactly the one proposed to be built, but the process is the same and the design is similar, using many of the same parts as seen on the left.
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Bibliography/References:
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http://solarcities.eu/sites/default/files/media/solarcities_poster_0.pdf
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pumping the gas back in to bubble mix
http://www.instructables.com/answers/How-to-make-methane-compressor-from-bicycle-pump/
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http://www.ebay.com/bhp/carbonator-pump
$50-$175
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References:
http://www.lemvigbiogas.com/BiogasHandbook.pdf
http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2010/ph240/cook2/docs/methane_digesters.pdf
http://www.electrigaz.com/faq_en.htm
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http://www.instructables.com/answers/How-to-make-methane-compressor-from-bicycle-pump/
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