[NewCandle] Gallium for Al H2O reaction rate

[George Holz]

Hi Nick, Keith, Jones, Robin etc.

You can see I've been wasting my time
reading investment newsletters.
Thought you might find this interesting.
How much gallium? Where?

George Holz
Varitronics Systems

Investing in Commodities: Aluminum as an Alternative Fuel Source?
by Ann Sosnowski, Editor-in-Chief, Diligent Investor

Aluminum-based pellets have been proven to produce hydrogen when in contact
with water. Is this a new alternative fuel source that could make both
ethanol proponents and opponents stand on the same side of the fence?

Aluminum is already one of the most important commodities in the world
economy. The metal is used heavily for building structures and
transportation projects. The only other metal that exceeds its use on the
global scale is iron. Not to mention it’s the most abundant metal in the
earth’s crust.

Scientists at Purdue University in Indiana have found that when aluminum is
doused with water, hydrogen is produced “on demand,” so you only get what
you want when you need it. Simply, there’s no waste.

The current system of producing hydrogen from the reaction between aluminum
and H20 can be used to power chainsaws, lawnmowers and other smaller
mechanical objects. But the researchers are working on a way to use it in
automobiles and other types of transportation.
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The main catalyst for the aluminum-to-hydrogen equation is gallium, which
keeps a protective “skin” from growing on aluminum pellets, allowing the
reaction to occur.
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The reaction is not only waste-free, but it’s also toxin-free. --- ?? ---

Analysts have estimated that the hydrogen from this aluminum-water-gallium
reaction would retail at about $3 per gasoline-gallon equivalent, a little
less than gasoline prices today.

This is an alternative fuel story well worth following. This “on-demand”
fuel could give ethanol-based and electric cars a run for their money in the
future.

According to a one-year aluminum chart, the price of the base metal
continues to increase. In July 2006, the price of aluminum was at a low of
$1.075 per pound. Less than a year later, aluminum is going for $1.275 per
pound, a gain of 19%.

I remain bullish on aluminum over the long term, since it hasn’t had such a
heavy run-up as copper or nickel.

Especially if this aluminum-into-hydrogen study expands into alternative
vehicle projects, demand for the shiny malleable metal will increase, and
with it the price.