Heat-Powered Generator Demonstrates Seebeck Effect
Appears in Print As: Turning Heat into Electricity
Edited by Stephen J. Mraz
A self-contained device, the PG-1 from Tellurex Corp., Traverse City, Mich. (tellurex.com), generates electricity when heat is properly applied. (The company suggests using canned fuel as a heat source.) It is designed to demonstrate the Seebeck effect, but can also be used for practical purposes, such as powering handheld electronic devices, LED arrays, and USB equipment, as well as to charge batteries, according to the company. The generator puts out 0.75 W, adjustable from 3 to 14 Vdc with a built-in voltage converter. It costs about $250.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Magnoliacom
Newsvine
Furl
Facebook
Google
YahooAdvertisement
Supplier Search
Plastics Search
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments
Seebeck in space!
Yes, heat dissapation is an issue in space, but the average temp in space is near aboslute zero and that has to be considered. With very large heat exchangers, heat can be readily dissipated in space through convection. Remember that each molecule in space is near absolute zero. This means the amount of energy each molecule can absorb during an encounter (due to deltaT) with a radiator fin is considerable. As well, if you can cool a Seebeck to near absolute zero temps through efficient radiation, you can generate unbelievable amounts of power in a very, very small, light unit. Additionally, the energy from heat in space (facing the sun) is easier (not more efficient) to gather and process as energy than light is. i.e. solar panels are too large and inefficient for space. I say these things with certainty because this is exactly the system I am currently designing/building. So, for those curious about Seebeck energy generation, I say to go for it and see what happens! Play! You can get generators - quite nice ones - from manufacturers very inexpensively.
heat powered generator
Good afternoon,
I found your site trying to locate sources of sterling and or rankine engines that are on a personal use level. The only obstacle to building our home is technology that will enable us to turn heat into electricity.
We are going to use a solar salt gradient pond to heat our home. We need to find a way to turn this 160-200degree water into a power source to turn a 5kw generator...about 10hp.
If you can lead me in any direction that may help us, your advice will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
Scott Sater
They already use devices on
They already use devices on space stations that exploit the Seebeck effect, they are called RTGs or Radio isotopic Thermoelectric Generators. They use radioactive substances to provide the heat gradient required to power electric devices in remote areas.
seebeck effect
I think a seebeck device would be very efficient in space. One side faces the sun. The other side is shielded from the sun. There is a huge temperature difference.
Seebeck in space?
Space is cool, on average about 3˚K, and yet getting rid of excess heat is a major problem. The reason is that space is almost a perfect vaccum, so there is no medium for heat exchange. A limited amount of heat is dissipated as radiation.
This means the cool side of your Seebeck device will quickly attain almost the same temperature as the hot side and power output will drop to nearly zero.
Leave a comment