[keiha]

I have an idea I'd like to try and am looking for a chemical engineer.  Please see attached diagram for what I'd like to build.

Admin:  if I've posted this in the wrong forum let me know.

[Borek]

You are trying to build perpetuum mobile. It will not work. TANSATAAFL.

[keiha]

You are trying to build perpetuum mobile. It will not work. TANSATAAFL.

Not perpetual.  It only works in a gravitational field.

[keiha]

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but seems worth a try.  As I think about the underlying processes, I can't see any reason it wouldn't.

On the down-slope of the tube, you have gravity pulling on that small mass.  Water will tend to re-cohere because hydrogen bonding is stronger than electrostatic charge to the tube.  That should lead to a large enough mass for gravity to pull it down.

[Borek]

As I think about the underlying processes, I can't see any reason it wouldn't.

As if energy energy conservation was not enough.

[keiha]

As I think about the underlying processes, I can't see any reason it wouldn't.

As if energy energy conservation was not enough.

I agree, it would challenge classical ways of looking at energy.

You never know unless you try.  The basic forces seem simple:  electrostatic charge pulls water up.  Hydrogen bonding pulls water out of the tube.  Gravity pulls the water back down.

[keiha]

I agree, it would challenge classical ways of looking at energy.

Or maybe not...

Doesn't the water in the capillary tube have potential energy that might be harnessed?

[Borek]

Doesn't the water in the capillary tube have potential energy that might be harnessed?

No. Water goes up in capillary tube to LOWER the energy.

[keiha]

Doesn't the water in the capillary tube have potential energy that might be harnessed?

No. Water goes up in capillary tube to LOWER the energy.

The water in the tube is at a higher elevation so that is potential energy is it not?

[Borek]

Yes, but you must account for from where it did came from. It has a potential energy only when treated as separated from the tube, but when treated (correctly!) as part of the system made of water AND tube, there is no potential energy to be harnessed.