Investigation of Thermoelectric Module with Applications on Waste Heat Recovery from Automobile Engine
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Hsiao, Yuan-Yuan
Abstract
Over two-thirds energy of fuel consumed by an automobile is discharged to the surroundings as waste heat. The fuel usage can be more efficient if thermoelectric generators (TEG) are used to convert heat energy into electricity. In this study, a thermoelectric module composed of thermoelectric generators with an exhaust pipe and radiator is developed to improve the efficiency of an IC engine. In order to predict the performance of this module, by using a one dimensional thermal resistance model, numerical simulation and experiment to analyze the temperature difference between cold and hot sides, output power and thermal efficiency of TEG. The engine speed, the temperature of cooling water and the fin length of heat sink are examined as three variables affecting the efficiency of this system.
The experimental results show that, the maximum power produced from HZ-2 is 51.13 mWcm-2 at 290℃ temperature difference. TE module presents better performance on the exhaust pipe than on the radiator. The temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of TEG increases with the increasing of engine speed and coolant temperature. The output voltage, output power and thermal efficiency will also increase. The maximum output power occurs at the highest engine test speed 2000 rpm and cooling temperature 90℃. As for the simulation of the TEG module with different fin length of heat sinks indicates, at 2000 rpm engine speed, the highest temperature difference 102 ℃ between both sides of TEG occurs when using a heat sink with fins only 75% base length long.
Subjects
Thermoelectric module
waste heat recovery
thermal resistance model
SDGs
Type
thesis
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