Re: Homemade Thermopile
- From: "Ken S. Tucker" <dynamics@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 08:43:42 -0800 (PST)
On Dec 2, 4:31 am, Dunc <Dunc...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There are two major problems with thermopiles as tool to generate
electricity. Very low efficiency and high initial cost. It appears
that the only way to attack efficiency is to utilize more exotic (read
expensive) materials.
What I was wondering is could a "homemade" thermopile be constructed
using very cheap or recycled materials (nails, aluminum cans, aluminum
foil, metal scrap, etc.). If you consider sweat equity to be free you
might be able to produce a viable installation.
If possible, it would be best to utilize a natural occurring
temperature differential such as air to ground, air to water, or dry
bulb to wet bulb. I recognize that these are relatively small delta
T's, but they are completely free and universally available.
My questions are as follows:
Which, if any, commonly available materials would be best for such a
device?
What design parameters should be considered?
For example:
Do the cross-sectional area, distance between or shapes of the
junctions effect the output?
I've been thinking about quietly buying up old smoke
detectors for the Americium content, to build a
basement reactor. A 50 gallon drum glowing at 300F
saves heating bills.
Seriously, a "so-called" thermopile needs an energy
source. Anything useful needs Watts, a few hundred
at least.
Ken
.
- References:
- Homemade Thermopile
- From: Dunc
- Homemade Thermopile
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