I have just acquired a vacation home that has hot water heating and can use either or both propane or an outside wood burner for a heat source. There is plenty of waste wood to burn (it is in the middle of a large area of woods). However, either source requires electricity to run a circulating pump. The required pump is not terribly big. A 1/12 HP might work. The standard is 1/6 to 1/4 HP.
Has anyone looked at using a thermo electric generator to charge a battery/inverter system, so the entire system could be independent, if needed, except for the wood? Typical water temperatures in the heating system ranges from 60°C to 82°C. It is a low pressure system so steam is probably out of the question.
I was pleased to find this device: http://customthermoelectric.com/tecs/pdf/12711-5L31-09CQ_spec_sht.pdf
It would not take many of them to run a 1/4 HP motor.
John
Has anyone looked at using a thermo electric generator to charge a battery/inverter system, so the entire system could be independent, if needed, except for the wood? Typical water temperatures in the heating system ranges from 60°C to 82°C. It is a low pressure system so steam is probably out of the question.
I was pleased to find this device: http://customthermoelectric.com/tecs/pdf/12711-5L31-09CQ_spec_sht.pdf
It would not take many of them to run a 1/4 HP motor.
John