3 ms·
> won't be useful, won't be cost effective > The team’s design can generate electricity from a heat source of between 1,900 to 2,400 degrees Celsius Pretty hi
by yetihehe 5y ago
> won't be useful, won't be cost effective
> The team’s design can generate electricity from a heat source of between 1,900 to 2,400 degrees Celsius
Pretty high temperature for me, copper melts at 1800C.
- wishawa 5y agoHigh temperature is the point. The efficiency of heat engines depend on the temperature difference (relative to ambient). The hotter you can go, the better. (granted this thing isn’t really an “engine”, but the trend still applies)
- dv_dt 5y agoBut for practical applications, the availability and cost of materials to survive the operating temperature is also relevant.
- diarrhea 5y agoA Carnot heat engine operating between, say, 2600K and 400K can reach almost 85% efficiency. The higher the temperature, the higher the share of exergy in the heat flux. At high enough temperatures, it’s no longer a feat to convert to electricity at high efficiencies.
- rowanG077 5y agoIt would be pretty hard to create a carnot heat engine that can withstand 2600k. I'm not even sure if for example Tungsten has structurally integrity at that point.
- giantg2 5y agoThat might be when copper liquifies. It will lose its structural integrity and deform easily at much lower temperatures.
- justinlloyd 5y agoPfff! Amateur! You should try pulling the plug out of the tub when its filled with my wife's bathwater.