2007-02-26 19:40:19 · 3 answers · asked by snow d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
To produce an electric current from the heat directly you can use Peltier elements. Usually they are used for cooling but this effect is reversible. It means that if any temperature difference exists it could produce electrical current with a help of Peltier cells.
You can read something under this link:
http://www.peltiers.jp/
2007-02-26 19:59:42 · answer #1 · answered by Wladimir 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thermocouple junctions. I read some years ago that the Soviets had made a source that fit around a kerosene lamp. Hot junctions inside, cold junctions on the outside. Just the thing to power the transistor radio in Siberia. You don't get much from a thermopile, but it has no moving parts and no complications.
2007-02-27 05:23:58 · answer #2 · answered by ZORCH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat water -> steam turbine -> electricity + heat again.
The residual heat in many of the electricity process is not usually enough to boil water in steam turbine, or not efficient.
2007-02-27 03:50:28 · answer #3 · answered by IIDX Chem 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋