Power Generation without moving parts

[Ivan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MHD_generator

There's a nagging in the back of my head somewhere that it might be possible to apply this kind of technology to wind turbines, without the need for any moving parts

[Joules]

I was looking into a Peltier generator (heat difference over a PN junction generates electricity)  Had hoped to build a unit to fit in the loft and harness flue gasses from the stove to drive the central heating pump...  Would be ideal as we only use the pump when the stove is on 

                             Joules

[plumbskill]

how much power does a thermo-couple produce?  couldnt you have a load of them up your flue to run a 12v pump?

unless you know of a super-dooper one.  i only know of the ones that hold open gas valves on boilers,cookers etc.

[Ivan]

They're readily available. Realistic power outputs of around 3.5W per unit, but you need super-duper heat conduction through the unit and big delta-T to get those sort of outputs.



Ivan