ENERGYCONVERSION

Summaries for Card Indexes

NEILL WEBER, Scientific Research Department, Ford Motor Company, P.O. Box 2053,
Dearborn, Michigan 48121, U.S.A.

A thermeelectric device based on beta-alumina solid electrolyte: Energy Conversion 14,

1-8 (1974).

Summary-An analysis of a device for the direct conversion of heat to electrical energy is
presented. The device makes use of a beta-alumina type solid electrolyte membrane to
accomplish the isothermal expansion of sodium electrical work being extracted via a porous
electrode attached to the membrane. The preparation of porous electrodes and their
behavior at temperatures up to 805°C in a model device are described. At 805°C a maxi-
mum power of 05 watts/cm was achieved at an overall thermal efficiency of 28 per cent
for the electrode/electrolyte processes. Experimental values for the electronic con-
ductivity of the polycrystalline j3” alumina solid electrolyte are also reported.

Key words: Thermoelectricity beta-alumina solid electrolyte Electronic con-

ductivity Heat engine Sodium

MARTIN WOLF, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104,

U.S.A.

The potential impacts of solar energy: Energy Conversion 14, 9-20 (1974).

Summary-The introduction of solar energy utilization in large scale terrestrial applications

will primarily have impacts in the energy supply, the economic, and the environmental
areas. Large scale introduction can be expected both in smaller units at the location of
the energy use and in centralized plants, using the conversion to thermal or to electrical
energy, either directly from sunlight or by use of wind or ocean thermal gradients, as
well as the conversion to chemical energy via photosynthesis. While the significant potential
energy supply impact has been frequently cited, the potential economic impacts are at
best worried about. Since cost competitiveness of the generated useable energy with that
from other sources is the key towards achieving large scale introduction, the gross economic
impacts-required capital, labor, etc.-cannot significantly differ from those of the com-
peting energy sources. Detai1s-e.g. growth of certain industries-will vary. The environ-
mental impacts are basically favorable-no chemical pollution-and can lead to a poten-
tially greater energy supply on earth than by use of other energy sources alone, based on
heat balance considerations. In ultimate large scale applications however, care will have
to be applied not to alter the earth’s albedo.

Key words: Solar energy Solar energy utilization Environmental impacts

Economic impacts Review of the technologies Wind energy Ocean thermal
gradient power plants Biological utilization Direct heating Thermal utilization
Photovoltaic conversion Electricity generation in synchronous orbit for earth use