The United States has just discovered what the whole planet was looking for and had been theorizing for decades. The truth is that we are not talking about an invention, but about something that existed and we had always ignored. It is as impressive as rocks with infinite, clean and renewable energy to supply humanity for millennia. Doesn’t it sound like science fiction? Well, it’s reality.
Rocks with infinite energy, a solution to decarbonize our country
The discovery of a new method to produce clean hydrogen fuel from rocks found within the United States has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. For years, scientists have theorized that certain iron-rich rocks could be used to produce hydrogen in a carbon-free process.
Now, research teams at universities and private companies have proven these ideas are not just science fiction – they actually work. By using a process called hydrothermal carbonization on rocks abundant across America, hydrogen can be extracted efficiently and sustainably.
This has enormous implications, as hydrogen is a versatile fuel with many applications across transportation, power generation, and more. It also provides a way to leverage domestic natural resources for energy production. However, realizing this potential will require overcoming daunting technical hurdles.
Iron-rich rocks, an unexpected and massive source of hydrogen
Iron-rich rocks are naturally occurring geological formations that contain high concentrations of iron minerals, specifically iron oxides. The most common types of iron-rich rocks found in the United States are banded iron formations and ironstones.
Banded iron formations (BIFs) are very old sedimentary rocks that formed over 2 billion years ago. They are composed of alternating iron-rich and silica-rich layers, giving them a distinct banded appearance. In the US, major deposits of banded iron formations are located around Lake Superior in Minnesota and Michigan.
Ironstones are younger sedimentary rocks that formed between 500 million to 2 billion years ago. They contain at least 15% iron and form as chemical precipitates in shallow marine environments. Significant ironstone deposits have been found in Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Texas.
Unlike traditional iron ore deposits, the iron in these rocks is not in a high enough concentration to be economically extracted for steel production. However, the iron-rich nature of these rocks makes them ideal for experimental hydrogen production.
How is hydrogen expected to be obtained from rocks in the United States?
The process of producing hydrogen fuel from iron-rich rocks involves a chemical reaction called hydrolysis. This reaction uses water to split the iron oxide (rust) in the rocks into iron, oxygen, and hydrogen. The rocks are first crushed into a fine powder to increase their surface area.
They are then mixed with water and heated to a high temperature, usually around 700-800°C. The heat energy causes the water molecules to split apart into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen then reacts with the iron oxide powder to form pure iron metal and steam. The hydrogen is released as a gas and can be collected.
This process does not require an external energy source once the initial heat is applied, as the reaction itself provides enough energy to be self-sustaining. The hydrogen produced is very pure and requires minimal additional processing before it can be used as a zero-emission fuel.
It is clear that these rocks with infinite energy are the most sustainable way of extracting and harnessing hydrogen that we could ever have imagined. Once again, we know the potential of our natural resources to supply us, without the need to emit polluting gases into the atmosphere or use fossil fuels. Are we heading towards a new era in renewables? Everything seems to indicate that we are.