How to Convert Fossil Fuels Into Electrical Energy
Converting fossil fuels into electrical energy is a three-phase process.
The first phase is to convert the fossil fuel into heat energy. The second phase is to convert that heat energy into some type of mechanical energy (preferably a rotational motion), most often done using some type of turbine. The third phase is to use a generator to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Each of these phases has inherent safety risks.
This article will show a simple method for using an outdoor cooker, a fan assembly and a bicycle generator to produce electricity.
A commercially available gasoline generator combines the three phases in one self-contained unit.
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Things You'll Need
- Outdoor smoke-type cooker with chimney
- Wood or charcoal
- Small fan assembly with blades
- 3 Hose clamps
- Screwdriver
- 1 Metal rod
- 1" Pulley
- Epoxy
- Small belt
- Bicycle generator (sidewall type)
- Voltmeter or bicycle lamp
Instructions
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Converting fossil fuel into electrical energy
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1
Place the 3/8" metal rod along the outdoor cooker chimney with at least one foot of its length going above the end of the chimney. Secure the rod using a hose clamp large enough to go around the chimney.
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2
Epoxy the pulley onto the rotating portion of the fan assembly, centered so the pulley will rotate smoothly as the fan blades turn. Allow to dry.
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3
Place the hose clamp (sized to go around the fan assembly) around the fan assembly and the metal rod, securing the fan blades directly over the end of the chimney.
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4
Place the remaining hose clamp around the body of the bicycle generator and mount it to the metal rod, above the fan assembly and away from the chimney opening. Secure it at a point where the generator's spindle (the point where the generator would contact the bicycle tire) is on the same level as the pulley.
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5
Connect the voltmeter (or bicycle lamp) to the bicycle generator. This will show you if you are producing electrical energy.
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6
Connect the belt between the pulley and the generator spindle. Hand turn the fan assembly to ensure there is a good mechanical connection between the fan and the generator. You should see voltage (or the bicycle lamp lighting). Adjust fan and generator positions if needed.
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7
Put wood or charcoal in the outdoor cooker and ignite. As the temperature rises, hot air will come up through the chimney and turn the fan blades. The turning fan will drive the generator, which will convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The process will continue as long as the heat coming out of the cooker is sufficient to turn the blades.
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Tips & Warnings
If you live in a windy area, the bicycle generator and fan assembly might be re-used to send wind power to electrical energy experiments as well.
Exercise caution when firing the outdoor cooker. Allow the cooker to cool completely before attaching or removing assemblies from the chimney.
