Can Static Electricity be Converted into Continuous and Useful Levels of Power?

[tortamuss]

http://www.nuenergy.org/pdf/static-electricity-converter.pdf

 

[berkeman]

http://www.nuenergy.org/pdf/static-electricity-converter.pdf

I believe that the amount of current that you can get from this is quite small (unless you count a lightning strike!). I didn't see any experimental or calculated data to show the current available under different weather conditions...

 

[tortamuss]

It would seem the size and design of the structure used to collect a charge would determine it's output. Large structure, large capacity?

Could a skyscraper that was isolated and specifically designed to collect static charge produce useable power? I guess that is the root of my question.

In my field, I design and build fairly large temporary structures that require static grounds for safety. As I understand it, the charge can be significant.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a 10$ solar cell at Radio Shack?

The average atmospheric flux is on the order of 10^-6 amps per square meter [Feynman discusses this in his lecture series in the chapter on lightning]. So no, it would not be practical to use this as a power source.

 

[tortamuss]

That's a lot of sky scrapers...

I found this. It provides some interesting details on the subject.

http://f3wm.free.fr/sciences/jefimenko.html

 

[nismaratwork]

You know, for once the Mythbusters did it right; get a huge antenna and you can get a volt or two. I think they ran a couple hundred feet and could JUST power a watch.

Hell, you could do better with a black rubber bag in the sun, filled with water.

 

[tortamuss]

I vaguely remember building an electrostatic motor in Jr high, so I decided to have some fun

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1958034835247

 

[tortamuss]

The more I read and see, the more feel that all large structures hold the potential to generate use-able power and could be designed to do so. Perhaps the Egyptians had it right...

 

[berkeman]

The more I read and see, the more feel that all large structures hold the potential to generate use-able power and could be designed to do so. Perhaps the Egyptians had it right...

That's trivial energy. Please do not post misinformation here. That is against the PF Rules (see the Rules link at the top of the page).

 

[tortamuss]

I'm sorry if I came off wrong. Just trying to learn, and I thought the video was "neat".

Is this possible to calculate using the average atmospheric flux?

Math test... :0

Take a rectangular office building 100m x 100m x 200m(tall) with a glass exterior. (90,000 square meters of surface with the top). All the glass is isolated from the structure and is wired to discharge back to power positive. (perhaps factoring in 10kph wind at STP as well)

Simple, but would it work at all? What's the per second output?

Is voltage gradient from altitude (200m=2000v) a factor?

Does the interior (behind the glass) create a vector field?

Is it resistant to lightning?

... or would it do nothing but repel dust? :p

 

[tortamuss]

Last post. Last thought.


Here's the problem causing my confusion: Thousands and thousands of HAM raido ops around the globe use static discharge from their antennas to reharege 12v emergency batteries.

http://www.google.com/webhp?rls=ig#...=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=aab0347a3953e8d5

video of antenna discharge.

http://www.google.com/webhp?rls=ig#...=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=aab0347a3953e8d5


and

The average atmospheric flux is highly variable depending on environment and location. Static electricity is prevalent and poses a danger in the desert. It is caused by atmospheric conditions coupled with an inability to ground out due to dryness of the terrain, and air born dust.

http://www.armystudyguide.com/conte...neous_Presentations/desert-operations-2.shtml

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22593550/

Or polar regions... etc... I lost the link to G.E. polar research papers. sick of google. If anyone can find it, it states the charge is highly elevated.

My last argument comes from personal experience. I build and design large aluminum structures that are coered in vinyl. I'm sure you've seen one. They set upon 6 inch thick wood pads so it is not grounded until I decide to install the ground myself. At times I have installed the ground late in the build due to circumstance.

I have had the **** knocked out of me by static discharge on many occasions. This is NOT a lie... (Next build, I'm going to toss my meter between the building and ground before I install the permanent static ground)

... Sorry if I'm being a pain, really, I'm more currious as an electrition and builder. I am simply trying to develop a baseline formula for a simple structure at average, then add variables. This has been a mental exercise for me, not trying to "save the world" here. I know the power is useable to a degree, but how much?

If I'm a crack-pot fool, so be it

 

[JaredJames]

Don't confuse a static discharge with the ability to provide continuous (and useful) levels of power.

You get such a 'violent' shock because it's allowed to build up. The overall draw really isn't that useful though. If you constantly Earth such items, you'd note insignificant values (if anything) on your equipment.