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Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

Posted January 03, 2013 9:21 AM

From Gizmodo:

Panasonic has developed a revolutionary hot water pipe that can actually turn the heat into usable electricity, as long as there's also a source of cold water. The conversion process relies on the temperature difference between the hot and cold water, and since the entire pipe is used to harness heat, the power output is three or four times higher than previous efforts.

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phoenix911
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#1

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:06 AM

Now, it's a matter of containing the stray voltage.

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Doorman
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:14 AM

"Now, it's a matter of containing the stray voltage."

No trouble... goes right back to heat the water.

Why not insulate the pipes? Seems like less energy loss might be more effective than waste heat recovery/conversion.

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phoenix911
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:16 AM

This comes to mind

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Doorman
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:21 AM

Udderly shocking!

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phoenix911
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#5
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Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:27 AM
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snowboy
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#10
In reply to #3

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/04/2013 12:44 AM

Ohhhh! that is sooo depressing! We are a dairy family. We have no power lines over our cows (NS and NB). I don't need more things to worry about as I slide awayyyyy....

BUT I do have family living under power lines! No cows, just humans!

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SolarEagle
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#7
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Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 11:43 AM

You might need an equipotential plane installed....

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lyn
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#6

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 10:38 AM

Wow, free energy.

Now, just run the output back to the water heater and you'll have free hot water.
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The.Tinkerer
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#8

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 4:18 PM

The potential exists on the exterior of the piping, so stray voltage is not going to be an issue.

Besides, don't be jealous that another development engineer came up with the improvements first!

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phoenix911
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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/03/2013 4:26 PM

You sound like your the engineer from the early years of denial from the power companies.

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The.Tinkerer
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#12
In reply to #9

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/08/2013 12:04 AM

Can't prove it...nobody saw me

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Fredski
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#11

Re: Thermoelectric Pipes Can Generate Electricity From Hot Water

01/04/2013 5:02 AM

COOL! so you pay to heat the water and get a watt or 2 rebate
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Doorman (2); Fredski (1); lyn (1); phoenix911 (4); snowboy (1); SolarEagle (1); The.Tinkerer (2)

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