ELECTROCHEMICAL WAY OF CONVERTING GEOTHERMAL AND LOW-POTENTIAL HEAT ENERGY INTO ELECTRICITY

摘要

We develop a concept, calculate an efficiency and made a model of new device for converting heat energy into electricity. The work of our device is based on the exothermic reaction of sulfuric acid reacting with water. This reaction is reversible over a high temperature range. Direct reaction can be used for electricity generation and reverse reaction can be performed in temperature gradient. The work of suggested device consists of two stages: distillation of sulfuric acid solution in temperature gradient and generating electrical energy in galvanic cell. Calculation shows that the efficiency of this way of heat converting into electricity could be 4,5% if T_1 = 313K(40℃) and T_2 = 293K(20℃). Increasing T_1 up to 373K, we can increase the efficiency of the device up to 12-15%. The model of this device consists of two blocks: distillation block and block of concentration cells. Distillation block has a standard for such devices construction. Block of concentration cells consists of two lead batteries with different concentrations of electrolyte. The suggested method should show greater efficiency than semiconductor thermocouples.