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Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times

Adaś Niezgódka 42801 62
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  • Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times

    Hello
    I would like to present the effect of my experiments with the Peltier cell.
    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times

    Such a cell is used, for example, in car coolers, after connecting the electricity, the phenomenon of heating of one side of the cell occurs while cooling the other. I began to wonder if it is possible to reverse the process, and thus provide such a cell with thermal energy, to obtain reasonable amounts of electricity. I bought a cell marked as 12V / 60W and started testing.
    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times
    Compared to my previous experiences with the thermocouple, the results were very encouraging. At the same time, I came to the conclusion that such an element can, under appropriate conditions, obtain up to about 10% (later it turned out to be about 5%) of electric power in relation to the power consumed in normal use, declared by this manufacturer. With a temperature difference of about 100 ° C obtained with an ordinary candle, I obtained a potential difference of 3 V without any problems, and after using the step up HW 105 system starting from 0.9V, you can charge the phone, light the room and what's up will come.
    Of course, this is not an invention, because such applications of Peltier have certainly already existed, but not much about it on the web.

    I think that with the right number of cells, it is possible to generate electric power at the level of several dozen or several hundred W when using heat, e.g. a radiator.

    In the video, start the generator from start to charging the phone.



    If you find the topic interesting, click the appropriate button ;) .

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    About Author
    Adaś Niezgódka
    Level 13  
    Offline 
    Adaś Niezgódka wrote 266 posts with rating 994. Live in city Krosno. Been with us since 2009 year.
  • #2
    Krzysztof Kamienski
    Level 43  
    You did not discover America, because thermoelectric generators were already built on the basis of thermocouple sets during World War II, with a power of several dozen watts, heated by a gasoline lamp. We have already written about it on the forum. Such Peltier and candles can actually charge the phone, but you need to burn several dozen of them per charge. This is a semiconductor Peltier, designed for cooling, i.e. working at relatively low temperatures, i.e. with very low efficiency as a generator.
  • #3
    Adaś Niezgódka
    Level 13  
    Of course, the supposedly radioisotope generator on a thermocouple transducer still works in Voyager probes sent into space in the 1970s, but people can enjoy the Stirling engine powered by a candle that powers the electricity generator that charges the phone, and I use the charger for the candle. I would like to add that making such a generator on thermocouples at home with a reasonable financial outlay is an abstraction, on a Peltier cell for a dozen or so zlotys anymore.
  • #4
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #5
    heloł moto
    Level 11  
    Better a steam engine + generator.
  • #6
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #7
    Gadon2012
    Level 8  
    I am a bit interested in the subject and I would like to build a more sensible generator of this type with a few Peltier cells. Anyone know if those from China described as TEG are actually more efficient as generators?
  • #9
    krzbor
    Level 25  
    Adaś Niezgódka wrote:
    At the same time, I came to the conclusion that such an element can, under appropriate conditions, obtain up to about 10% of electrical power in relation to the power consumed in normal use, as declared by this manufacturer.

    Did a colleague take measurements? The idea is to load the system (resistor, light bulb) and measure voltage and current at the same time and calculate the power. Measurements should be taken at different times to determine if air cooling is sufficient.
  • #10
    Adaś Niezgódka
    Level 13  
    For the circuit shown in the picture, the efficiency will decrease with time due to the heating of the cooling heatsink. This is made to be easy to reproduce and draw conclusions. I think that it is ok for the cheapest link anyway, later I will optimize the system and present the measurements.
  • #11
    gulson
    System Administrator
    Krzysztof Kamienski wrote:
    You did not discover America, because thermoelectric generators were already built on the basis of thermocouple sets during World War II, with a power of several dozen watts, heated by a gasoline lamp.

    But why discourage America with words you have not discovered? A very interesting reminder of the issue and presenting it in a timely manner, using a cheap step up converter. Charging the phone during a candle power outage is a very important matter. Such a solution should be kept in every apartment in the event of W.
    Thank you very much the author for this presentation, ignore the malcontents and contact me for a set of gadgets with a shipping address.
  • #12
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #14
    krzbor
    Level 25  
    Adaś Niezgódka wrote:
    For the circuit shown in the picture, the efficiency will decrease with time due to the heating of the cooling heatsink. This is made to be easy to reproduce and draw conclusions. I think that it is ok for the cheapest link anyway, later I will optimize the system and present the measurements.

    I mean, how much can you get from the "air" cooling you have just described. My guess is it won't be 6W, but how much?
  • #15
    slavo666
    Level 21  
    It is puzzling that after switching on the converter, the voltage on the module did not drop anything, but on the contrary, it grows as if nothing was weighing it down. Have you measured the power of one PCB in your circuit?
  • #16
    Adaś Niezgódka
    Level 13  
    krzbor wrote:
    I mean, how much can you get from the "air" cooling you have just described. My guess is it won't be 6W, but how much?

    I have never written anywhere that I will get 6W from such a candle and one link. Based on the first observations, I optimistically assumed the maximum performance for which not so simple conditions could be met. As I wrote earlier, after improving the whole thing, I will describe the exact results. If someone wants to have it easier and faster, I suggest buying cells for ali, available 5 pieces for about PLN 40 and a kerosene lamp or a burner.
  • #17
    Krzysztof Kamienski
    Level 43  
    When I was in the Soviet Union, I saw such a thermoelectric generator and it is actually quite powerful to power the R 108 radio. It was a massive ceramic cylinder in which hundreds of iron / constanthan (?) Thermocouples were embedded so that one "hot" junction was inside cylinder, and "cold" outside. The ceramics, in turn, were surrounded by a stainless steel tank, which was used for e.g. boiling water. The whole was heated with a solid kerosene lamp, pressure Prymus type. It gave about 5 VDC with a capacity of 4 A, because this is what the radio needs (tube with converter).
  • #18
    krzbor
    Level 25  
    Adaś Niezgódka wrote:
    I have never written anywhere that I will get 6W from such a candle and one link. Based on the first observations, I optimistically assumed the maximum performance for which not so simple conditions could be met.

    You wrote that you bought a 60 W cell for testing, and elsewhere, that you estimate the yield at 10% - it turned out to be 6 W. My guess is that under ideal conditions. However, I am curious how much can be obtained with the current construction - it is, after all, a starting point.
  • #19
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #21
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #22
    Krzysztof Kamienski
    Level 43  
    Adaś Niezgódka wrote:
    I would like to add that making such a generator on thermocouples at home with a reasonable financial outlay is an abstraction, on a Peltier cell for a dozen or so zlotys anymore.

    Not at all. Iron / steel wire (for fences) is cheap and so is Constantan wire (for radiators). :D
  • #23
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #24
    mmm777
    Level 31  
    There is a factory solution: ??4.5-12
    Mounted on a kerosene lamp, 4.5 W, 12 V.
    This is probably the only practical solution at home.
    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times


    Because 30 W does not fit the house much anymore ;)
    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times
  • #26
    William Bonawentura
    Level 34  
    For home prepersing, a better solution is probably to convert home lighting to 12 V LED, battery and PV panel.
    Radio, phone charger also with 12 V.
  • #27
    puchalak
    Level 15  
    H3nry wrote:
    It is possible to obtain 30 W at home from thermocouples:
    http://powerspot.com/en/shop/explorer-home/
    Mini Thermix is available on our market, unfortunately the distributor set a sick price.

    EUR 155 is a great price. Conrad is trying to sell the same for PLN 3,000.
    https://www.conrad.pl/o/generatory-termoelektryczne-0502027
    This is not the way, it does not produce energy from nothing - you need to provide a lot of heat. Even serially produced radioisotope thermoelectric generators working with the Sr isotope had symbolic power. - below 100 W with several tons of empty weight. Only the spaceships based on Pu238 gave several hundred W with a mass of less than 100 kg.
    After all, there are cheap, readily available photovoltaic panels.
  • #28
    Jacekser
    Level 23  
    puchalak wrote:
    [...] There are cheap, readily available photovoltaic panels [...]

    ... and a bicycle dynamo (I will skip it, because it's incorrect). :wink:
    All thermal solutions - apart from Iceland - are not ecological in our country! :sm31: )
  • #29
    Adaś Niezgódka
    Level 13  
    In general, it is thanks to everyone for the interest in the subject, a lot of paws went up, it encourages further action.

    For further tests, I made a revised design.
    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times

    Now for some details about the TEC1-12706
    It is a normal coincidence that I have such an element in use.

    Power supply 12 V - current 2.8 A, power 33 W.
    The power given by the manufacturer / seller is 60 W, which is available with a power supply of about 15 V. How is the efficiency of such an element as a cooling one, another story.

    The measurement results I got from this element as a "generator", temperature difference ~ 110 ° C
    No-load voltage = 4.7V
    R = 1 ?, U = 1 V, I = 1 A, P = 1 W.
    R = 2 ?, U = 1.8 V, I = 0.9 A, P = 1.62 W.
    R = 3 ?, U = 2.6 V, I = 0.86 AP = 2.25 W
    R = 6 ?, U = 2.7 V, I = 0.45 AP = 1.2 W
    R = 7 ?, U = 3 V, I = 0.42 AP = 1.2 W
    R = 8 ?, U = 3.3 VI = 0.41 AP = 1.3 W
    R = 10 ?, U = 3.8 VI = 0.38 AP = 1.4 W
    Measurement with a load between 2-3 ? is noteworthy, it achieves the highest efficiency. (Match the load resistance to the source?)
    LED diode test 3 V, 1 W - the diode is supplied with full power of 3.2 V, 0.35 A.
    There is even electricity left for the fan, which will then serve as cooling only.
    Current measurement on a 0.1 ? resistor

    Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times Thermoelectric generator for uncertain times

    The video shows a self-cooling test.


  • #30
    crx4
    Level 11  
    Just like someone wrote to walk on water. If it had more power, you could heat domestic hot water and draw electricity to be used, for example, to circulate water.