If the combustion and jet engines ceased to exist tomorrow how do you think we would travel.?

Question

Last night I was watching Earth on TV about vast and dangerous deposits of Methane in permafrost which due to global warming may be released into the atmosphere,Would we be able to use this and what would be the byproducts if this was possible.

Answer 1

Methane is C-H4,
So one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms
Add oxygen and ignition source and you get
C02 and H20
So carbon Dioxide and Water..
However you look at it it is still producing greenhouse gases.
Yes it is a fuel source it is compressible but it does tend to sublime from solid, and is unstable in this state.
you can run combustion engines and turbines on it but the calorific value is low.

Answer 2

Well, we wouldn't be flying much. Bikes, horses, electric trams and trains. Electric and steam trucks and cars. Steam turbines would once again be the main propulsion for ships, maybe even the good old triple expansion steam engines for the more economical types. The Navy would build a lot more nuclear powered stuff.

Current electric storage methods don't have the energy density required. I can't really see steam powered planes doing very well.

The internal combustion and gas turbine engine are very comvenient power sources.

Answer 3

Boeing is looking into electricity. But there design depends on Hydrogen. This is not only dangerous it will reduce the range of aircraft( most long-haul routes wont be able to be flown anymore) it will reduce the cruising speed and capacity.

But Jet engines and Reciprocating engines aren't going anywhere soon........

Answer 4

Well you wouldn't have very many options. People don't realize that steam engines also use combustion to produce power (except nuclear powered ones) and most electricity is generated by combustion too (excepting nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, tidal, geothermal, and solar power).

Hydrogen burning is supposedly emissions free, but it is only as clean as the power source used to split the hydrogen and oxygen from water.

Answer 5

In my car, which I am going to hide tonight by disguising it as a garden ornament by strategically positioning a flower pot on the roof so that the combustion and jet engine goblins can't find it and nick my engine.

I may even strategically position a flower pot on my head and then sit extremely still next to my....ahem.....GARDEN ORNAMENT, just to make sure its ok.

But don't worry, if I see you I'll give you a lift, particularly if any of you are extremely attractive young ladies who don't mind big stupid Geordie Mobile Mechanics......who like to dress up as garden ornaments........because they're scared of goblins.........I'll get my coat.

Answer 6

I would definately like to see the back of the combustion engine. And the jet engine.
Go back to horse and cart..!!
But being a courier, i might find that difficult.

Answer 7

You could use solar panels. There are allready some experiments and as you know, the sun is always shining above the clouds (if it is day, not at night)

http://www.airplanes.se

Answer 8

Then I would design a jet engine

Answer 9

we would probably use tele-port. or a pulse magnetic engine like on star-trek.. we have the technology but the oil companies bought the patent and are holding out until oil is $300/barrel and we really cant afford to buy it.....(just kidding). never thought of it.. good question..

Answer 10

probably go back to steam powered engines until electric engines take off