Electricity from Waste Heat

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• Off Shore Application mkogrady on 11/21/2008 at 2:17 PM

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  I recall reading there was a test of a similar system in the 1960's off Florida where the DOE deployed a closed loop system that used the thermal difference between the surface water temps and lower water temps. As the fluid cycled through, it hit a hit a gaseous state - drove a turbine and then recondensed to liquid again. The internal fluid (ammonium something or other) was too corrosive and the system eventually wore out prematurely. If this newer approach pans out, it could be a huge tool to be used in offshore applications where currents are not as prevelent, but the thermal differences are signiificant. The Sea of Cortez off CA and Mexico could become a hug power plant or smaller inland lakes in developing countries could be candidates. When does Ener-G-Rotors go public? Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Re: Off Shore Application LarryH on 11/24/2008 at 10:43 AM		TR Staff Senior Editor
    Posts: 9 Avg Rating:	I'm not sure about the '60s, but in 1978, TR published an article on ocean thermal-energy conversion (OTEC), which we reexamined in the "X Years Ago" section of the magazine: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17092/. We also ran a Web story on more-recent OTEC projects in 2001: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/12527/. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Ideal solution for Geothermal electricity generation kjblack on 11/27/2008 at 12:41 AM

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  This unit would be ideal for the generation of geothermal electricity where the temperature is between 65C to 150C There are areas in Victoria, Australia, where the temperature is marginal to run a geothermal plant at the above temperatures. Nodoubt there are other areas in the world in the same situation. I have read in the past where thermal temperature difference in the ocean has been utilised in Hawaii to generate electricity. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant jmaximus9 on 11/29/2008 at 1:35 AM

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  What about running a heat adsorbing PVC pipe under a large blacktop [asphalt] parking lot [Home Depot or Walmart]. The blacktop adsorbs heat like a battery, then the pipe reclaims this heat to boil a refrigerant, like ammonia to power the generator. Ever try to walk barefoot on asphalt in the summer time, at the beach? The hotter it gets the better this works. This would also have substantial counter heat island effect. The term "heat island" describes built up areas that are hotter than nearby rural areas. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C). Using this waste heat you prevent it from warming our urban/suburban world. Depending on the technology used, cool pavements can improve stormwater management and water quality, increase surface durability, enhance nighttime illumination, and reduce noise. Heat islands can affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality. Cool pavements can indirectly help reduce energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant hachi on 11/29/2008 at 3:41 AM
    Posts: 29 Avg Rating:	Hate to see it pierced accidentally and ammonia let off into the enviroment Rate this comment: (Reply)

    • 	Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant Siphon on 12/05/2008 at 11:47 AM
      Posts: 112 Avg Rating:	You don't have to use ammonia. In fact there are thermodynamically better and nontoxic refrigerants out there. Some have been developed that are nonflammable, nontoxic and have zero ozone depletion and global warming potential. There's dozens of organic fluids that can be used. Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant Siphon on 12/05/2008 at 11:49 AM
    Posts: 112 Avg Rating:	Sounds promising. Not for the urban heat island effect though; efficiency isn't high enough to help substantially. Painting roofs white or in pastel colors helps a lot though. As do greenroofs. And they're beautiful to look at as well... Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Ener-G-Rotors a.sabeer on 12/17/2008 at 3:31 AM
  Posts: 1	Can anyone tell me the formulae for estimation of power from ener-g-rotors......... Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	generating electricity from waste heat from a gas oven kkeeven63 on 01/01/2009 at 11:30 AM
  Posts: 1	I own a couple of pizza franchises and I am looking for a thermol generator that will convert waste heat from a brick oven that operates at 650 degrees for 12 - 14 hours per day and continues to generate heat for an additional 12 hours of at least 350 degrees.  Is there any product available to convert this waste heat. Rate this comment: (Reply)