Why will this not work?

[Qfwfq]

Well it's obvious that some energy is going somewhere!

 

If the gas were brought down through say a second tube, I would expect it to heat up at the dry adiabatic rate of 10 C/1000 M but the only thing brought down is the liquid. The gas is left at the top and new gas is drawn up to replace the amount lost due to condensation.

I'd say in this case that the process will run only in a limited measure. When the tube is full of gas that will not condense in the conditions, you need to put another coin into the slot. :)

[Kayra]

I was considering that possibility as well, but wanted proof of it.

 

I had thought that so long as condensation was occurring, then more gas would be drawn up. As long as more gas is being drawn up, the temp gradient would be maintained and more condensation would occur.

 

:)

[Qfwfq]

I know it's an attractive idea but it works only if 100% of the gas condenses, otherwise it reaches the end of the ride.

 

Still, if your interested in designing a real productive process, it would be a matter of drawing the uncondensed gas off at the top, separate of course from the dew, to bring it back down and recondition it for a new cycle. As far as I can see, that's where you'd be making the balance meet up, if the tube is perfectly adiabatic.

[Kayra]

Well, as long as the temp/pressure of the gas is at or below the dew point then wouldn't the condensation continue? Even with a static, non moving gas.

IE: The gas at the top, so long as it meets the conditions for condensation, would continue to condense.

 

I just realized that this continuing process would eventually warm the static gas beyond the due point without the aid of a continuing drop in temperature.

 

If I brought the gas down it would heat up at the dry adiabatic rate (10C/1,000M) resulting in a warmer gas then I started with and what condensate I could garner from the process. Would that be the missing energy?

 

What if the same conditions were in place but the tube was 3,000 meters (or even 5,000) high. I would expect almost complete condensation of the gas before that point, but would need to prove it :)