So what happens when the oil runs out?

[AVC]

Eventually, it's going to happen. Maybe not in our lifetimes.

So what are the ideas kicking around? Obviously before anything happens the prices for air travel will skyrocket.

For the cruise industry it will be a no-brainer. Pull those oil burners out and stick a nuke reactor in. Easy for a big floating skyscraper.

But a nuke plane? I guess weight-wise it could be done. Maybe. The fuel load on a 747 is what, 150 tons? Assuming you could get a reactor/turbine within the weight (the engines would be lighter too if they were just big electric motors), then you might just lose some hold space.

How would you feel about flying in something powered by a controlled atom bomb?

Another thought is they could have major advances in battery technology - ergo - the Prius plane.

Ideas?

 

[Clarkes]

We go back to being "local" and ride horses.

 

[drron]

It is why gas is now the big exploration play especially in the USA so they can become energy reliant and not have to rely on the Middle East-already their imports from there have dropped.China is now the biggest customer and why they are playing hardball over Iran and Syria.
As for air travel my guess it is going to be unchanged for some time except for increasing biofuel use.As you say it is going to take a major breakthrough I would guess before aviation switches fuels.

 

[Deleted member]

Hydrogen fuel cell? I have no idea if it's even viable let alone the right weight etc

 

[munitalP]

Problem with a H2 fuel cell is the H2 must be stripped from something. The most efficient H2 fuel cell uses a hydrocarbon to strip to produce the H2, and usually some pretty nasty chemicals in play as well such as boric acid.

Many far northern exploration towns in Alaska and Canada use this method of electricity production, pollution is a concern thought.

As much as fuel cell technology is old technology (the Apollo missions used fuel cells for power when required) development particularly by GE has slowed immensely in the last 10 years. In 2001 GE trialled a home fuel cell that would basically power a medium sized house from a 10kg propane bottle for up to 4 weeks, the only bi product being H2O. This was trialled very successfully across the US but lobbyist groups for I'm guessing the big oil companies managed to get the government funding cut, since then, I am unaware of much development.

 

[oz_mark]

But a nuke plane? I guess weight-wise it could be done. Maybe. The fuel load on a 747 is what, 150 tons? Assuming you could get a reactor/turbine within the weight (the engines would be lighter too if they were just big electric motors), then you might just lose some hold space.

How would you feel about flying in something powered by a controlled atom bomb?

Another thought is they could have major advances in battery technology - ergo - the Prius plane.

Ideas?

It will become expensive before it runs out!

AT the current point in time, there is nothing other than liquid fuels that are viable for powering an aircraft. Of the liquid alternatives, hydrocarbons are the best we have. Nuclear power has a problem in that it is still basically a steam driven technology - good for constant power needs, not so good if you have requeirments to vary power usage considerably.

Algal fuels are one way we may be able to provide sufficient hydrocarbon fuels.

 

[The Rok]

Coal powered planes….. Owned & Operated by BHP Billiton! :shock:

 

[samh004]

I’m hoping by then… fusion. A little safer than Nuclear and it can be fit into your chest if you’re a billionaire arms dealer… heck we might all just fly like Ironman.

 

[Hvr]

Coal powered planes….. Owned & Operated by BHP Billiton! :shock:

Actually I think briquettes burn better.


When the oil is gone we can be thankful we have the NBN to have virtual meetings.

 

[straitman]

I don't see this as an issue for a while yet.

I went to a presentation a couple of years ago by the CEO of ExxonMobil. He stated that ExxonMobil now has more reserves than they have used thus far and that they are increasing their reserves faster than they are depleting them. A lot of these new reserves are quite remote or in inhospitable areas but with new technology they are working their way forward.

 

[rechoboam]

You can easily make petrol out of coal and there are hundreds of years of coal left. Dont know about jet fuel but I imagine you can refine that

 

[Flying Fox]

Solar powered flights with limited night flying capability

 

[anat0l]

I don't see this as an issue for a while yet.

I went to a presentation a couple of years ago by the CEO of ExxonMobil. He stated that ExxonMobil now has more reserves than they have used thus far and that they are increasing their reserves faster than they are depleting them. A lot of these new reserves are quite remote or in inhospitable areas but with new technology they are working their way forward.

Of course his statement is more based on strategy and market strangulation rather than the science.

 

[ReLoad]

Rubber band based paper aeroplanes. obvious really......

 

[straitman]

Of course his statement is more based on strategy and market strangulation rather than the science.

Probably not as it was to a captive, not a public audience.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I asked some of the engineers at a refinery recently and they told me that they have another 100+ years of oil, easy.

Drilling technology has also improved over the years. It's no longer straight down, it's sideways now too.

 

[straitman]

I asked some of the engineers at a refinery recently and they told me that they have another 100+ years of oil, easy.

Drilling technology has also improved over the years. It's no longer straight down, it's sideways now too.

It's actually more than just sideways. They can literally drill 'as required' to go anywhere. This has actually caused royalty issues in Bass Strait when accusations were made that drilling was being done from one field to another to reduce royalties and taxes.

 

[oz_mark]

I asked some of the engineers at a refinery recently and they told me that they have another 100+ years of oil, easy.

Drilling technology has also improved over the years. It's no longer straight down, it's sideways now too.

Indeed, but as I said before, it's the cost that's going to be the problem. We'll be paying $5 a litre for petrol well before we run out!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

and the rest.....lol

 

[medhead]

Indeed, but as I said before, it's the cost that's going to be the problem. We'll be paying $5 a litre for petrol well before we run out!

And that'll make algae produced fuels cheap and we'll stop using mineral oil. Much it the same way we stopped using whale oil.


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