[CoronaWithLime]

Hey,

I was thinking of a device that could possibly be invented (or maybe already has). Ever hear of those computers that run by turning a crank or the flash light that runs by shaking it? What if you could put that manual energy to use to perform electrolyse of water and collect H and O and also generate enough electricity to power a battery to make a spark and ignite it.

I realize there are all kinds of technical hurdles along with efficiency and safety, but in theory is there any problem with what I am proposing? A little bit of elbow greece and some fresh water and bam, you have fire.

Thanks for any input(or criticism for that matter),
-Poor College Student

[dissimulo]

Wouldn't it be easier just to use the crank to heat an element?

[CoronaWithLime]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'S')o are you taking about electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen? That former would be the fuel for a hydrogen fuel cell, which by itself produces electricity. So the spark is not necessary. You save that spark energy for your electrical application--like powering the bus or the elevator or whatever it is you are cranking.

[mattduke]

Ah, but there's a catch. You will still need a human to turn the crank and who requires food in order to survive, but adequate food production for the extant population depends on adequate oil supplies, so your lighter can never work in the long run.

[strider3700]

Since hydrogen goes bang rather then a slow burn I'm not sure if you can get a constant flame out of it, I'd assume so.

So you just need to crank enough to produce a fair amount of hydrogen from water. remembering back to highschool and electrolyzing water we where plugged into the wall and it took a fair amount of time to get hydrogen back. I'd assume you'll be cranking awhile.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('strider3700', 'S')ince hydrogen goes bang rather then a slow burn I'm not sure if you can get a constant flame out of it, I'd assume so.

[0mar]

You need almost pure water. If you don't you'll gunk up everything with minerals and dissolved compounds.

[WisJim]

Sounds like a "water torch" that jeweler friends use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_torch
I suppose a small hand cranked generator could provide the electricity necessary for operation.