Asteroid Mining - Gas Storage Question

> --- In ssi_list@... charles radley
> > It really makes no difference how much H2 you try
> to pump in, it
> will
> > rapidly leak out through the seals.
>
> Is that always the case. No matter how well
> engineered the seals?
>

It is not a matter of engineering.
Hydrogen can diffuse through just about anything,
inlcuding some metals.
As far as I know, nothing has even been invented which
meets your requirements.

> >
> Ok, this is what I'm curious about. If the gas is
> pumped back into
> the tank with the millions of liters of water (ice)
> and we start
> increasing the pressure, what effect takes place.

The diffusion rate of the hydrogen will increase. I
do
not know the numbers, sorry.

> Here's a thought.
> What if the seal is under water, so the hydrogen is
> pumped into the
> tank and directly into the water. Eventually it'll
> separate, but
> won't the water act as a barrier or seal to prevent
> the gas from

I believe hydrogen can diffuse through water quite
rapidly. It would not be an effective barrier.

> leaking. Also, what happens to the whole system
> (water/ice/gas as
> the pressure of the hydrogen starts to increase?
>

For the third time, the rate of hydrogen
diffusion/leakage will increase.

It will also tend increase its reactivity with
anything it is in contact with, e.g. hydrogen
embrittlement of ferrous metals will accelerate.

>
> I'd prefer to steer clear of a cryogenic solution.
> Adds more
> complexity to the system.
> >

Quite true.

>
> True, but I haven't gotten around to the rocket
> equation yet and I

Well, it is central to the propulsion concept.
You really need to take a look at that before
designing
overly complex hydrogen storage systems which probably
will have little value.

> haven't finalized the volume and mass of the system.
> So I don't
> really know yet how much water would have to be
> split in order to
> ferry this package back home to luna/LEO
> >

That is the first thing you need to calculate.

Cheers,

Charles R.