Honey -> Hydrogen?

Honey into Hydrogen

I had the idea to look at honey as a possible replacement for gasoline, but in exploring that idea, I stumbled upon this. The summary below is based on inputs into ChatGPT. I have tried to check the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT to ensure that this method is viable.

The premise is this. A warehouse converted into a greenhouse. It has skylights to let in natural light and the night sky so that plants can follow their circadian rhythms. It has solar panels and medium-sized wind turbines to maximize energy efficiency. Inside the greenhouse are honey bees. The bees create honey and pollinate plants. We ferment the honey to produce ethanol. Some of the ethanol is burned with the oxygen produced by the plant to create water vapor, and some of the ethanol is combined with steam to produce hydrogen. Excess oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

When I input the above scenario into ChatGPT and asked for it to determine the feasibility of such a system, below is what it produced:

Key Components of the Closed System

1. Honey Production by Bees:

• Honey bees pollinate the plants and produce honey from nectar.
• Plants need to be chosen for high nectar production to support the bees.

2. Ethanol Production from Honey:

• Honey is converted into ethanol via fermentation.
• Ethanol is used for combustion and hydrogen production.

3. Hydrogen Production and CO₂ Recycling:

• Ethanol is used to produce hydrogen through steam reforming, with CO₂ as a by-product.
• CO₂ is recycled back into the greenhouse to fuel plant growth.

Controlled Grow Zones

1. High-Nectar Plants for Bees:

• Lavender (Lavandula): High nectar production and a favorite of bees.
• Sunflowers (Helianthus): Excellent nectar and pollen sources.
• Clover (Trifolium): High nectar yield and good for soil health.
• Borage (Borago officinalis): Known for continuous blooming and high nectar.
• Bee Balm (Monarda): Attracts bees and provides a good nectar source.

2. High Oxygen-Producing Plants:

• Bamboo (Bambusoideae): Rapid growth and high oxygen production.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Efficient oxygen production and air purification.
• Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): High oxygen output and good for indoor environments.
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller): Produces oxygen and has additional health benefits.
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Converts CO₂ to oxygen even at night.

Optimizing the Closed System

1. Plant Selection and Layout:

• Divide the greenhouse into zones with high-nectar plants in areas accessible to bees.
• Surround these zones with high oxygen-producing plants to ensure efficient air quality management.
• Use vertical gardening techniques to maximize space and plant density.

2. Ethanol Production and Utilization:

• Ferment honey to produce ethanol.
• Use a portion of the ethanol for combustion to generate CO₂ and water vapor.
• Use another portion for steam reforming to produce hydrogen and additional CO₂.

3. Hydrogen Production:

• Utilize steam reforming of ethanol: C2H5OH+H2O→CO2+3H2C_2H_5OH + H_2O \→CO_2 + 3H_2C2​H5​OH+H2​O→CO2​+3H2​
• Ensure CO₂ is captured and redirected to the plant zones.

4. Water and Nutrient Management:

• Implement a closed-loop hydroponic or aquaponic system for efficient water use.
• Recycle water from ethanol combustion back into the plant irrigation system.
• Ensure nutrient-rich solutions for optimal plant growth and health.

Harmful By-Products and Mitigation

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO):

• Ensure complete combustion of ethanol to minimize CO production.
• Use catalytic converters or filters to capture any CO produced.

2. Ethanol Vapor:

• Proper ventilation and containment to prevent vapor accumulation.
• Use of air filtration systems to maintain air quality.

3. Other Contaminants:

• Regular monitoring and maintenance of the system to identify and address any contamination.

I am not in a position to take action on the above, but I hope someone will read this and be able to explore the feasibility further. It may not be more efficient to obtain hydrogen than the current methods, and if so, I’d accept that, but if it is or someone is able to take this idea further in other ways for the betterment of humanity, I am all for it.

• Regular monitoring and maintenance of the system to identify and address any contamination.