Can waste CO2 be used to turn generators?

[rashad465]

If waste CO₂ is collected through a pipe from a power plant can it be used to turn a generator by increasing its pressure with a funnel?

See diagram:

I have been wondering whether this is possible as I feel it could be very useful in the energy industry.

 

[anorlunda]

That is not the way a funnel works. The velocity increases as the funnel gets narrower, not the pressure. It is explained by Bernoulli's Principle.

Power plants have already researched and exploited all imaginable ways to use regenerative energy or to make themselves more efficient. It would be worth many billions of dollars to get even a 1% increase in efficiency.

 

[rashad465]

That is not the way a funnel works. The velocity increases as the funnel gets narrower, not the pressure. It is explained by Bernoulli's Principle.

Power plants have already researched and exploited all imaginable ways to use regenerative energy or to make themselves more efficient. It would be worth many billions of dollars to get even a 1% increase in efficiency.

So the increased velocity wouldn't be able to push the generator?

 

[berkeman]

So the increased velocity wouldn't be able to push the generator?

Did you read the link that @anorlunda provided? Does it discuss ways to passively increase the energy in the flow of a gas?

 

[rashad465]

Did you read the link that @anorlunda provided? Does it discuss ways to passively increase the energy in the flow of a gas?

The link did not work for me

Mod note: I have repaired the link.

 

[rootone]

The link did not work for me

This?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli's_principle

 

[berkeman]

The link did not work for me

Hmm, agreed, it's not working for me either. Probably just a typo in the link.

When something like that happens, and @anorlunda gave you the keyword for the link, all you have to do is use those words in your own search at Wikipedia or via Google. Please read the Wikipedia page about the Bernoulli Principle, and let us know if that helps you to figure our the answers to your question. Thanks.

EDIT -- Oops, @rootone aced me out again.

 

[rashad465]

Hmm, agreed, it's not working for me either. Probably just a typo in the link.

When something like that happens, and @anorlunda gave you the keyword for the link, all you have to do is use those words in your own search at Wikipedia or via Google. Please read the Wikipedia page about the Bernoulli Principle, and let us know if that helps you to figure our the answers to your question. Thanks.

EDIT -- Oops, @rootone aced me out again.

I read the wikipedia page and I understand now that Bernoulli's principle would apply to this scenario. Thanks for your help

 

[russ_watters]

If you attach a turbine to the exhaust, it blocks the exhaust and makes the rest of the plant less efficient, so there is little or no net benefit.

 

[CWatters]

Rashad465.. If the pressure was greater on the right than on the left, which way would the gas flow in the pipe?

 

[berkeman]

I read the wikipedia page and I understand now that Bernoulli's principle would apply to this scenario. Thanks for your help

You're welcome. keep on asking questions and learning! That's how we all got started.

 

[sophiecentaur]

If waste CO₂ is collected through a pipe from a power plant can it be used to turn a generator by increasing its pressure with a funnel?

See diagram:View attachment 219226

I have been wondering whether this is possible as I feel it could be very useful in the energy industry.

Many motor car engines use a Turbo to force more air / fuel into the cylinders. This actually take energy from the engine despite the net gain in power because of the extra fuel burned.
There is no such thing as a free lunch - - - - ever. Having said that, there are good and bad ways of harvesting 'waste' energy and some of them give good value. Combined Heat and Power systems have been used for years. The Mother of a friend of mine was in a Council Flat in London (in the 1950's / 1960's) which was heated by the cooling water from Battersea Power Station. Then the Power Station was closed down (inefficient) and they had to use a different source of heating.