Is it possible to generate an electric charge from a heat source? and I don't mean solar.?

Answer 1

I'm fairly sure you are asking about direct conversion rather than steam turbines and the like so here goes:

In metals the labile electrons that are normally lost through chemical reactions create what amounts to an 'atmosphere' of electrons throughout the metallic atomic structure. It is this 'atmosphere' that moves under the force of a potential difference to give an electric current.

If you place two disimilar metal plates in intimate contact there is a spontaneous movement of these 'atmospheric' electrons towards the more electronegative metal, this is in effect an electric charge.

If you attach wires, connected to a voltmeter, to the separate plates you can measure the potential difference caused by this charge. The application of heat from any source increases the rate at which this happens and this can be used to estimate the temperature of the source when the plates are acting as a thermocouple. Given a large enough area and good enough contact between the two metals and sufficient temperature from your heat source, useful levels of electric current can be produced for operating small electronic apparatus; for electric apparatus I'm not so sure.

The selenium-based cells that convert sunlight to electricity can convert radiation, falling within their electromagnetic range, from any radiating heat source into electricity because that is what they do. They work on a different physico-chemical principle and are more effective and efficient than thermo-couple type reactions, however, producing electric power for household applications and now more frequently for roadside signage, etc.

Answer 2

Yes. If matter is heated sufficiently, it becomes a gas. If enough heat is applied, the electrons orbiting the nucleii will escape, leaving the gas in an ionised state. This is called plasma.

However, this may have not been what you meant. Perhaps you were talking about gaining electrical energy from a heat source. This can also be done. The heat source can be used to convert water to steam, which moves upwards into a turbine, forcing the turbine to rotate. The turbine can be connected to a generator, which generates electrical current when its central rotor turns. Both coal and nuclear power stations do this.

The electrical current produced can be used to charge batteries, power appliances, etc.

Answer 3

We can produce electric charge from a heat source. If we think the flow of that electron, then we should think about Thermocouple.
When an electron in outermost orbit of an Atom becomes cross the Fermi energy level by the influence of external heat source, then the electron should able to free from the Nucleus gravity of Atom. Especially this matter should happen smoothly in the good conductor.

Answer 4

Yes. Here's a VERY basic explanation:

A very often used instrument in industry is a 'Thermocouple' which basically consists of two dissimilar wires joined at one end.

This is known as the 'HOT END'. From this point, the wires are kept separate and insulated.

The other ends are called the 'COLD END'.

The hot end is enclosed in a metal sheath which is inserted into the object (pipeline, vessel .. etc) to be TEMPERATURE measured.

The cold end wires are connected across a 'MILLI-VOLT METER'.

In the hot end of the wires, a small DC potential difference is set up in the two wires which varies with temperature - higher temperature = greater PD and vice-versa.

The PD is measured by the milli-volt meter and converted into temperature.

A thermocouple can be connected to a remote location - like a control room for indicating temperature on the control panel.

Answer 5

The "Seebeck" effect is the conversion of temperature differences directly into electricity... The whole article can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect

The effect can also be reversed, creating a temperature difference when an electrical current is supplied. This effect is widely used in portable chilling equipment, such as cooler boxes designed for in-car use, which can chill food & drinks. These are typically powered by the vehicles 12v cigarette lighter socket.

Answer 6

Yes ........ Use the heat source to heat water into steam then use the steam to drive a generator.

Answer 7

Most assuredly. The device is called a thermocouple and it is used in many processes every day.

Answer 8

Yes seeboard now supply both gas and electric (think about it)

Answer 9

Look up Peltier effect and Seebeck effect

Answer 10

The steam turbine?

xxR