Originally Posted by
Silverarrow
One way to reduce heat would be to build a core which is cooled down by two peltier elements. Our alternator is rated to 120A, each element would require about 40A meaning that we would need a new alternator that is capable of delivering 200A. The we can easily go under ambitient
Yes peltiers have a long way to go.
Consider your CPU in your computer - when overclockers crank these - 1.5" x 1.5" runs at 100W and extract maybe half that and $/kW pumped is very high.
I recall looking at these as a method to recover low grade waste heat from processes.
Waste heat recovery is the next big thing.
World wide most boilers/generators dispell at least 30% of their energy through the stack as waste heat and/or steam/humidity. Furnaces without waste gas generators throw away even more.
Peltiers are a means - lets look forward to their development over the next 10-20yrs.
PS - I think BMW are recovering waste heat from their latest concept vehicles.....maybe need to refresh a lit survey.