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How much power would be available if a temperature difference of 70C or 80C could be maintained? Thanks.
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How much power would be available if a temperature difference of 70C or 80C could be maintained? Thanks.
Like Dave explained so marvellously in his video, stating a mere temperature difference doesn't tell you squat about the power you can expect.
Depending on your system you will have a certain thermal resistance from the medium providing the heat, through the Peltier device, into the medium dissipating the heat. That thermal resistance will determine how much heat (as in watts) will flow through the Peltier device at a given temperature difference. And if we assume an efficiency of 5%, then 5% of that heat flow will be converted into electrical power.
I'm still struggling to come up with an application
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How much power would be available if a temperature difference of 70C or 80C could be maintained? Thanks.
Like Dave explained so marvellously in his video, stating a mere temperature difference doesn't tell you squat about the power you can expect.
Depending on your system you will have a certain thermal resistance from the medium providing the heat, through the Peltier device, into the medium dissipating the heat. That thermal resistance will determine how much heat (as in watts) will flow through the Peltier device at a given temperature difference. And if we assume an efficiency of 5%, then 5% of that heat flow will be converted into electrical power.
Been thinking about making a large TEG over a year now, the idea came when I realised that the temperature difference between room temperature and outside winter tempearature in Finalnd is around 40-50 C .
Been thinking about making a large TEG over a year now, the idea came when I realised that the temperature difference between room temperature and outside winter tempearature in Finalnd is around 40-50 C . So I was thinking to make a large seebeck panel (at least 50x50cm) out of many 40mmx40mm peltier modules found cheaply around Ebay, between 2 aluminum plates, stick one side of the panel to the chimney and other side facing free towards the outside cold air, maybe some insulation around the panel to keep each side at each own temperature.You can't "create" energy. You will cool your room (move heat from inside to outside) to produce electricity
Nice video
The heat used is wasted heat that is produced anyway, it only works as a heat pump when you power it not in "seebeck mode", if I'm not mistaken.
Although these thermoelectric generators are interesting, and maybe solve a limited number of specific issues, for example powering a remote, high reliability ultra low energy consumer, like a sensor or something, i can't see any real use for them?
You aren't wrong. They are for niche applications only.
Even for remote sensors it can be better to simply install a large long life lithium primary cell. 10 years life is easily doable.
I really wonder, how much time it takes to generate the amount of energy the manufacturing of one module takes. If it will break even (under what condition) during the lifetime of these TEGs.
I really wonder, how much time it takes to generate the amount of energy the manufacturing of one module takes. If it will break even (under what condition) during the lifetime of these TEGs.These are not commercial solar panels that must have payback to be viable. They are for niche applications that are otherwise impossible without them. Payback is of no relevance.
I really wonder, how much time it takes to generate the amount of energy the manufacturing of one module takes. If it will break even (under what condition) during the lifetime of these TEGs.
These are not commercial solar panels that must have payback to be viable. They are for niche applications that are otherwise impossible without them. Payback is of no relevance.
Been thinking about making a large TEG over a year now, the idea came when I realised that the temperature difference between room temperature and outside winter tempearature in Finalnd is around 40-50 C . So I was thinking to make a large seebeck panel (at least 50x50cm) out of many 40mmx40mm peltier modules found cheaply around Ebay, between 2 aluminum plates, stick one side of the panel to the chimney and other side facing free towards the outside cold air, maybe some insulation around the panel to keep each side at each own temperature.You can't "create" energy. You will cool your room (move heat from inside to outside) to produce electricity
Nice video
The heat used is wasted heat that is produced anyway, it only works as a heat pump when you power it not in "seebeck mode", if I'm not mistaken.
Not really. If you use the TEG module you will effectively cool down your room, so in order to keep your room at the same temperature as originally you have to crank your heaters slightly up. The electricity you generate with your Peltier will show up (even if you don't notice it due to the magnitude) in your kaukolämpö bill. Laws of Physics cannot be cheated.
They sound good in theory (even then its not that great). But if you take into account you only get 5% efficiency and that a solar cell can most definitely produce more power at lower costs. These things don't seem that viable as a solution to anything.
In remote sensing applications, you still have the problem of either cooling one side or heating the other which requires power. So although its cool, I just don't see a use for it.
I have some questions about TECs/TEGs.
1) All these PN junctions in series should result in a massive forward voltage drop requiring several tens of volts to make them work. But in reality a TEC behaves like a small value resistor.
Why is that? Is it due to the semiconducting material (Bismuth Telluride) used?
2) I don't get where the cooling effect comes from. Obviously, whatever process is taking place on the cool side is endothermic, but what is this process?
3) Does a single silicon diode also exhibit this cooling/effect?