Could we make a floating/flying solar house powered by nature?
I'm not an engineer but I have this idea of a kind of Helium airship with solar panels on top. Then Hydrogen fuel bags underneath, bigger Helium bags under that and them a house with a small garden and swimming pool. There could be a shaft through it to light the house. The idea would be to get Hydrogen by sun powered electrolysis, this would be gathered from clouds and Sunlight. The house could then float about visiting other parts of the world occasionally landing in the sea. Could this be possible, energywise, would it be safe, could it be green?
Airships or dirigibles are proven technology they were actually quite popular form of transport from the very early 1900's until the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. (Hindenburg had a lifting capacity of 242 gross tons)
Zeppelin made the mistake of using hydrogen instead of helium, which ended the reign of the airship rather dramatically.
Depending on how heavy the "House and pool" this idea is very possible. Have a look at the Goodyear blimps to get an idea of the size requirements
http://www.goodyearblimp.com/
With the large surface area there is plenty of room for solar panels. Thin film solar technology could possibly be utilised to build the gasbags. Energy wise, yes I think there would be plenty.
Safety Ummm ..... If the hydrogen were to be kept to the inner bags with the outer bags filled only with helium it could be safer. You would need a good deal of separation between anything electrical and hydrogen. There have been heaps of advancements in plastics and polymers in the last few years, but there is always an element of danger involved with highly flammable gases. Getting a partly filled hydrogen airship approved by air safety authorities would be a nightmare, but possible.
Could it be green? Yes it could be any colour you like. (Sorry couldn't resist)
The airships of the 1900's utilised jet streams and weather patterns during trips. They were largely wind assisted. So with virtually greenhouse emissions, I think this could be classed environmentally friendly. (I will guarantee that not everyone will agree.)
Without getting too far off track if you have a look at weather charts the wind circles around the highs and lows. If you fly to the correct side it helps. (Sailing boats do this).
In Summary: Yes quite doable.
Have you got anybody in mind to bank roll this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship
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