[NewCandle] Windharvesting

[Nick Reiter]

This has been some wonderful discussion about Aeolian
generators, etc...  

So here is some wind-harvest notion from another
angle.  And in keeping with Newcandle spirit, yes, I
have experimented with this, though results were
null-to-almost.

Here is the thought.  In any volume of air there are a
certain number of ions, in some ratio (N2, O2, CO2,
Ar)  Both positive and negative.  Where you are,
indoors, outdoors, landscape, water machinery, power
grid, all contribute to determining this yield.

It should be possible to harvest these ions.  I've
envisioned several embodiments.  One would be a set of
fine wire grids through which the wind would pass. 
One might bias the grids to attract the respective
ionic charge carriers.

OR, conversely, one could use magnetic separation. 
Long chutes or windsocks lined with strong magnets,
and metalized collector zones on the inner surfaces.

The embodiment I had played with last year was the
latter - just simple experiments of blowing room air
with a muffin fan through a plastic pipe with inner
foil strips and external magnets.  Maybe a few mV here
and there, but indeterminate.

My research was bogged down in trying to find accurate
estimates of natural ion yield per cubic meter, for
example.  On-line, I had a hard time finding anything
other than values being tendered by people trying to
sell ionizers!

Thats my wind-surfing for the day;)

n

The Holy Grail 'neath ancient Roslin waits.
The blade and chalice guarding o'er Her gates. 
Adorned in the masters' loving art, She lies;
She rests at last beneath the starry skies.