2 ms·
90°C is not really hot enough to extract efficiently. The Carnot cycle efficiency of such a process, even assuming it used a cold-sink at 0°C (not likely), is o
by jdmichal 13y ago
90°C is not really hot enough to extract efficiently. The Carnot cycle efficiency of such a process, even assuming it used a cold-sink at 0°C (not likely), is only 25%.
However, using that warmed water as a preheat for another process is perfectly valid.
- neltnerb 13y agoYeah, that's my thought. Think heat exchanger, not heat engine. If you managed to get your input water at 10C from the ground up to 30C, you'd have very little left to do before it's usable in a shower. Either way, the thermal mass of the flowing cool water will definitely improve the solar PV efficiency and lifetime.