2 ms·
While you're right, in that heat is an issue in tunnels, harvesting low-temperature-delta energy is incredibly inefficient. It is always better to source the n
by Baeocystin 9y ago
While you're right, in that heat is an issue in tunnels, harvesting low-temperature-delta energy is incredibly inefficient. It is always better to source the needed electricity from a generator that is specifically designed for such.
(The only time this may be untrue is when dealing with very small things like remote sensors, where running a wire might actually be more expensive than harvesting the microwatts needed locally. But this is a fraction of a fraction of a percent of total system needs.)
- dredmorbius 9y agoWhat I'm saying is that for the purposes of removing moisture, the temperature gradient itself is an energy flux which might be utilised. In some ways, this is the inverse of an evaporative cooler, where the incoming air is saturated with moisture to lower its temperature before being vented to a warm space to be cooled ("swamp coolers" are best suited to dry climates, and have humidity issues). Here, instead, cool (possibly chilled) air could be ducted through the warm space, with the intent of condensing moisture onto the ductwork (for drainage by other means) prior to being vented into the space. You're trading cooling capacity (condensing water warms the cold air supply) for humidity control. I'm not trying to imply that this is practical, only that a latent energy flux might exist.