Generating power with a wood stove

[EatenByLimestone]

 

[RockyMtnGriz]

He should build a steam engine and hook it to a salvaged alternator. Not everything can be solved through the use of a semiconductor, but there is a generation that hasn't figured that out yet.

 

[stoveliker]

Tho not having moving parts for a system that is emergency use only, or fatt off grid, is useful too. No seizing, no lubrication, and no noise

 

[peakbagger]

Carnot figured out the absolute limits for thermal "engines" long time ago and they are not great for a home boiler/steam engine/turbine combination. There have been many attempts at integrating Sterling Cycle generators into wood stove/boilers but I am not aware or any commercial units available. The Sterling cycle is heat engine is also constrained by the Carnot limits as is any steam engine/turbine combination. Dean Kamen claimed that he had a working design for Sterling Cycle engine years ago and at one point had one at his home that could generate power but it never went anywhere, https://www.forbes.com/sites/christ...engine-could-power-the-world/?sh=14359e3e3b2e

He has moved onto 3D printing of human organs.

Maine Energy Systems a pellet boiler company was advertising a commercial pellet boilers with an optional generator a few years ago but it is no longer on their website. I think the concept is still around https://www.microgen-engine.com/news-information/news/first-eu-303-5-certified-woodlog-mchp/

Lots of folks have tried the Peltier Effect devices but due to low efficiency they are more of curiosity. There was a firm in Iceland selling them for wood stoves in remote hunting camps as they typically had a nearby cold source to cool the panels.

 

[woodgeek]

Lots of material science research to make new materials with higher Peltier efficiency. Some might play out next week, or it could be a loooong time.

 

[RockyMtnGriz]

Tho not having moving parts for a system that is emergency use only, or fatt off grid, is useful too. No seizing, no lubrication, and no noise

I was just joking - well kinda anyway. I bet an hour of a spinning 100 amp alternator would produce more power in an hour than these things would make in a year. It would be cool if my furnace could light its own room and the tomato plants snuggled with it, but since I have grid power, it makes sense to just use that now that we have LEDs.

 

[stoveliker]

I was just joking - well kinda anyway. I bet an hour of a spinning 100 amp alternator would produce more power in an hour than these things would make in a year. It would be cool if my furnace could light its own room and the tomato plants snuggled with it, but since I have grid power, it makes sense to just use that now that we have LEDs.

absolutely true.

Though I have to say I kind of like the Peltier system - even if only for having a light or two if need be. (Say a cabin.)

It's not "power", it's a lamp.