If Scientists can create diamonds in a lab(lab created diamonds) Then why can't these same people create a type of oil in the lab that will burn cleaner and can be mass produced in a lab? Seems that it would be a fairly simple chemistry/engineering solution.
2006-09-09 06:05:49 · 19 answers · asked by not coming back 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
So what's the hold up? Big Oil paying you to keep us stoopid? We all know that the hydrogen cars & electric cars are fully functional & yet everyone keeps jumpin in their gas guzzlers & punchin the pedal like it was 'No Tomorrow'! The earth is not going to be saved by engineering. It's going to be destroyed by stupidity!
2006-09-09 06:15:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
It is not a simple problem.
What is crude oil? It is the carbon and hydrogen (and other elements) from lifeforms that died millions of years ago. This is why they are called "fossil fuels", or people talk about burning dinosaurs. The mechanism to make crude oil takes millions of years and a huge number of lifeforms.
Yes, a lab could create a version of crude oil. But, it would not burn any cleaner than the current version. If you want a clean fuel, then hydrogen is a clean fuel. It burns to make water. But, it isn't cheap to produce yet, if ever.
Just because something CAN be made, doesn't mean that it is easy or worth the trouble to do it. If oil companies could make oil without finding it and pumping it from the ground, they would do it, especially if it was cheaper than the current methods.
Now, if we could harness nuclear fusion, then we would be set for energy.
2006-09-09 17:46:26 · answer #2 · answered by Your Best Fiend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The energy to create this oil would, most likely, be much greater then the energy produced.
Now, people (or scientist) that are involved in the mass-manufacture of diamonds are doing it because of the net monetary profit the product (diamond) can provide on the current market.
When it comes to useful energy the process involves bringing something from one energy state to a lower one through the manupulation of the surrounding environment. For axample, superheated steam can drive a small turbine as it cools to its surrounding enviroment (assuming ambient conditions). On the other hand one has to put energy to generate steam -boiling of water.
2006-09-09 13:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by Raul 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, probably not. The hypothetical cleanest burring hydrocarbon or fossil fuel already exists and can be found in large quantities, it's called natural gas or methane. There are major differences in the chemical structure of a hydrocarbon or "fossil fuel" and a diamond. A diamond is simply a piece of carbon that has bee exposed to extreme enough heat and pressure to form a crystalline molecular structure. Hydrocarbons are chains of carbon and hydrogen as the name suggests. Since it's the carbon that makes CO2 when burned the cleanest hydrocarbon is the one that has the most hydrogen atoms to carbon atoms ratio. That is natural gas which has 1 carbon atom for every 4 hydrogens, gasoline is closer to 1:2. So there is really no room form improvement. Secondly as some one else mentioned since any hypothetical process would be on a much larger scale than diamonds the waste produces would be much more important. The closest thing to this idea is away to turn other scores of carbon and hydrogen and turn them into oil via heat and pressure. http://www.discover.com/issues/jul-04/features/anything-into-oil/
http://netmar.com/~maat/announce/newoil.htm
Sounds great but it makes longer chains like gasoline that are more polluting and there aren't enough turkey guts and the like in the world to make enough oil for everyone. However, it is a great way to get rid of wastes.
2006-09-09 13:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by carljosephchandler 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your question assumes oil is the on;y reason for all wars. Is it possible to be that ignorant? Take any war involving Israel as an example. It doesn't matter if you blame Israel or her enemies, oil is never the cause.
Producing synthetic oil in a lab would require an energy source. That source most still be found somewhere other than the lab in question.
2006-09-09 17:49:33 · answer #5 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be possible, but not plausible. There would inevitably be wasted energy and various by-products that would defeat the purpose of making the "clean" fuel.
It's the same with diamonds. Although it is possible to make them in a lab, you won't make any money off of it because it is likely to cost more to make the diamond than it is worth.
2006-09-09 13:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by cushdogjr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As with any technology, the ease of manufacture determines the final sale price. It is currently cheaper to refine naturally-occurring crude oil than it is to invest in alternative technologies. When we begin exhausting our supply, the price will go up, which will inspire invention. Alternatively, we will destroy our environment to the point that other fuel sources will be socially required.
Right now, it's all about the money.
2006-09-09 13:13:38 · answer #7 · answered by Dave 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can create synthetic oil. The energy and resources it will take to do so will create a greater problem than it solves.
2006-09-09 13:13:03 · answer #8 · answered by williegod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any thing can be created in a lab. The question however is is it commercially viable?
2006-09-09 13:11:10 · answer #9 · answered by openpsychy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer the other solutions, like one I heard of that turns vegetable oil into useable gas for your car. I forget where I heard it but it's just a kit you buy that makes gas. Another good solution would be beans. You should see all the gas that makes!
2006-09-09 13:16:39 · answer #10 · answered by ReelGenius 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋