Engineering Help: Water from Propane?

[RJay]

A catalytic heater contains platinum which is heated and produces the combustion when the propane comes in contact with it. Platinum is a heavy metal, and since nobody has ever proposed drinking the water byproduct of a catalytic heater it would be a good idea to either have a water sample analyzed or distill the water which removes the impurities. It may not be a problem but it's best to take precautions.

[Francesca]

Thanks again for your patience, guys!

Just one more question for now, and then I'll go away and cogitate on everything I've learned so far:

I'm still unclear on something asserted at the below link, and wonder if it's accurate.
Google Answers: Combustion of natural gas
About halfway down the page, a fellow says that the water forms when the hydrogen in the propane combines with the oxygen in the air.
Is that a fact?

Francesca

[wingman8]

Thanks for all this information, now I have a throbing in my head

[Francesca]

Hi, Wingman



Not you, too!
Ain't it grand, how much help we get here?
And folks are really nice, no matter HOW harebrained an idea they're confronted with.
But since you're reading this thread, I guess that's pretty obvious...

Francesca

[TXiceman]

Study the combustion equations. Propane has carbon and hydrogen molecules. Air has oxygen. In the combustion process, the hydrogen is stripped from the propane molecule and combines with some of the O2. Some of the O2 goes to CO2 and CO. In the process heat is released

ken

[Bill Adams]

Yep, I stand by my original post. There is at least one nutty poster here! I just find it amazing that the thread has survived for 3 pages with someone trying to create the equivalent of a perpetual motion machine that produces water without the use of energy.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Study the combustion equations. Propane has carbon and hydrogen molecules. Air has oxygen. In the combustion process, the hydrogen is stripped from the propane molecule and combines with some of the O2. Some of the O2 goes to CO2 and CO. In the process heat is released
ken

Thanks, Ken

I corralled my Granddaughter's science teacher today, and he explained all that to me, too!

Originally Posted by Bill Adams

Yep, I stand by my original post. There is at least one nutty poster here! I just find it amazing that the thread has survived for 3 pages with someone trying to create the equivalent of a perpetual motion machine that produces water without the use of energy.

Hi Bill

I guess you are talking about me
I'm not trying to make water- I'm just trying to collect what's already there, using energy that's already being expended/wasted.

See the fan in my heater picture?
It generates its own electricity from the "wasted" heat rising off the heater!
Who'd ever have thought such a thing was possible, or worth bothering about?

Thanks again for all the input, guys- I think I've got enough to go on for the moment.
Fall camping is coming up, and if I'm going to build something I'd better get busy...


Francesca

[Midniteoyl]

Since the moisture already collects on your windows (the whole 'change of temperature' thing), the mechanism for condensing is already in place and the solution could be simple. As a test and prototype, line your windows with tin foil, shaped so the bottom forms over the window edge and funnels into a small catch basin. A small squeegee could be employed to 'motivate' the water off the foil and into the basin, if needed. Removal of any contaminants is handled with a relatively simple filter...

edit: If light through the windows is desired, a suitable clear 'cling' plastic could be tried..

[okmunky]

Interesting topic. Did anyone actually do any experimenting with this? I am considering adding a catalytic propane heater to my Class C, but the water vapor issue is a concern. The idea of running a small electric dehumidifier has some merit since a by-product is heat. So, I'm thinking that you could reduce propqne use. I found this one http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=267557011

Also, the water could be used for toilet flushing or hand washing if there are concerns about purity.

Sorry to be so late to the game. Just doing some late night surfing.

[Bruce C]

Now I think a sponge would do the trick, then follow up with the still. I've got to go to work but its been a fun read.
____________________
Bruce & Nancy, Sasha rescued Siberian Husky
2004 Bounder 35e
US Navy Vet.

[Dunner]

A sheet of Bounty® and a coffee filter would be all you would need.

[HotMech]

Do any of you have a 95% or higher efficiency furnace in your stick house?
I do, and let me tell you, it makes water by the gallon. Really.
burns natural gas, or mostly methane. but does it ever make water.
It's plumbed to the drain in the floor, it make so much water. Check out that hi tech item for some ideas on how to get the water. from the fuel burned.
K.

[bldrbob]

If you consider the weight and volume of still and associated equipment to collect a couple gallons of questionable water woulden't it be easier to carry a couple extra gallons of water?I know, it's the challenge more than the water.

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by bldrbob

woulden't it be easier to carry a couple extra gallons of water?I know, it's the challenge more than the water.

Yep, even if the challenge is only mental.