Electrochemical Method of Obtaining of Electric Current from Thermal Energy Using Graphite Electrodes

S.S. Yegeubayevaa, A.B. Bayeshov b, A.K. Bayeshova b aKazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan bD.V. Sokolskii Institute of Organic Catalysis and Electrochemistry, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan

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Here we present the possibility of using the electrochemical processes to convert solar thermal energy or geothermal energy into electricity, based on fundamental and experimental research. Laboratory setup for converting thermal energy into electrical energy is the glass electrolyzer consisting of two electrode spaces connected with electrolytic bridge. The influence of the temperature difference between the electrode formation spaces on the EMF and the short circuit current (SCC) between graphite electrodes in aqueous solutions was studied. In solution of 100 g/l of sodium hydroxide the values of the EMF, SCC and oxidation-reduction potential are 80.0 mV, 44.1 μA and 95 mV, respectively. These values are substantially higher than those of the acidic and neutral solutions. This is due to the fact that in the alkaline solution the oxidation of hydroquinone, 1,4-benzoquinone is reversible and provides good reproducible electrode potential, which depends on the pH. The coefficient of conversion: of thermal energy into electrical energy is 1.14 mV/deg.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.128.B-455 PACS numbers: 88.05.Ec, 88.10.-g