electricity from waste heat?

[zenboom]

I gather there is technology to directly generate current from temp diff
across 2 materials.
What would you suggest is the potential for increasing energy efficiency by
using this, or other, technology, on the ICE , A/C etc. ?

 

[Dave Hinz]

I gather there is technology to directly generate current from temp diff
across 2 materials.

Yes. Peltier and/or Zeeback (sp?) effects.

What would you suggest is the potential for increasing energy efficiency by
using this, or other, technology, on the ICE , A/C etc. ?

None at all. You'll just put more thermal load on the device making the
temperature differential, so it works harder. You'll spend more energy
than you recover.

 

[Don Kelly]

I gather there is technology to directly generate current from temp diff
across 2 materials.
What would you suggest is the potential for increasing energy efficiency by
using this, or other, technology, on the ICE , A/C etc. ?

It has been done and is done. Look up "Peltier" and "thermocouple"
..
It has its uses- I have a heater/cooler unit which I use in my car. It will
keep a 6-pack plus a bit cool but requires a long drive to actually cool it
down. I disconnect it when stopped as I want to be able to restart my car.

.. You still run into thermodynamic limits and the typical efficiency is
quite low.

 

[Reason]

I gather there is technology to directly generate current from temp diff
across 2 materials.
What would you suggest is the potential for increasing energy efficiency
by
using this, or other, technology, on the ICE , A/C etc. ?

Try this:

http://doc.tms.org/ezMerchant/prodt...OM-9812-49/$FILE/JOM-9812-49F.pdf?OpenElement

 

[Jesse Spencer]

I gather there is technology to directly generate current from temp diff
across 2 materials.

If there is you could make refrigeration units that use no electricity
and output some.

 

[John P Bengi]

So far, I have only seen it used in sensor inputs for measurement technology
but then that is where PV started originally also until somebody could count
higher than their fingers and stacked them profusely.

 

[Bruce in Alaska]

So far, I have only seen it used in sensor inputs for measurement technology
but then that is where PV started originally also until somebody could count
higher than their fingers and stacked them profusely.

I have a Thermoelectric Generator that is Propane in, 24Vdc 7amps out,
no moving parts, and uses 1 USGal/day. Runs on a Peltier Junction
Pile. Not really efficent, but extremely quiet.


Bruce in alaska

 

[Don Kelly]

If there is you could make refrigeration units that use no electricity
and output some.

 

[JoeSixPack]

I have a Thermoelectric Generator that is Propane in, 24Vdc 7amps out,
no moving parts, and uses 1 USGal/day. Runs on a Peltier Junction
Pile. Not really efficent, but extremely quiet.

What's the expected lifespan of the pile? Will it produce usable power from
waste heat? Is it worth the initial investment?

 

[Bruce in Alaska]

I have a Thermoelectric Generator that is Propane in, 24Vdc 7amps out,
no moving parts, and uses 1 USGal/day. Runs on a Peltier Junction
Pile. Not really efficent, but extremely quiet.

What's the expected lifespan of the pile? Will it produce usable power from
waste heat? Is it worth the initial investment?
[/QUOTE]

Lifespan of the pile is basically indefinite. It will if the temperture
differential between the hot and cold sides is big enough. Initial
investment is very high. 240Watt/$3KUS or there abouts......


Bruce in alaska