Can Energy be Harvested from Flowing Water in a Chemistry Lab?

[skywolf]

i work in a building where there is a chemistry lab above us, so there is water flowing down a clear glass tube through one of our hallways.

i was wondering if there was any way to remove energy from that system to do something cool with, even if its just making a small pinwheel spin

thanks,
sw

 

[mathman]

You probably could, but it would require installing something inside the tube, which would have to be connected to something outside. Try talking to the lab people first.

 

[Danger]

It would be a good idea to make sure that it's actually water before you go messing with it. It could be chemical waste heading for a containment bin in the basement.