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Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies

Author

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  • Martí Comamala

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Toni Pujol

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Ivan Ruiz Cózar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Eduard Massaguer

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain)

  • Albert Massaguer

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
    Current address: Nabla Thermoelectrics, c/Llibertat 71, 17820 Banyoles, Spain.)

Abstract

Recent developments of high performance thermoelectric (TE) materials have increased the interest of using this technology to directly convert waste heat into electricity. In the automotive sector, many automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) designs use TE modules (TEMs) with high hot side temperatures to cope with high engine load regimes. Here, we develop a new concept of a radial ATEG that is specifically designed to work with low temperature TEMs, which enables the use of Pb-free modules and reduces the thermal stress of the device. A prototype is built and tested at different regimes in an engine test bench. A numerical model of the ATEG is developed and validated. The consequences of modifying (1) the exchange area between the heat absorber and the exhaust gases and (2) the effective figure of merit of TEMs on the electrical output power and fuel economy are investigated by means of simulations. Results indicate that the maximum fuel economy (1.3%) is not attained at the point of maximum output power (228 W). In terms of fuel economy, the back pressure at the exhaust penalizes high mass flow regimes. We use a dimensionless parameter to analyze the potential of the ATEG for reducing fuel consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Martí Comamala & Toni Pujol & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer, 2018. "Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:10:p:2720-:d:175021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massaguer, A. & Massaguer, E. & Comamala, M. & Pujol, T. & González, J.R. & Cardenas, M.D. & Carbonell, D. & Bueno, A.J., 2018. "A method to assess the fuel economy of automotive thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 42-58.
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    3. Cózar, I.R. & Pujol, T. & Lehocky, M., 2018. "Numerical analysis of the effects of electrical and thermal configurations of thermoelectric modules in large-scale thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 264-280.
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    8. Jinlong Chen & Kewen Li & Changwei Liu & Mao Li & Youchang Lv & Lin Jia & Shanshan Jiang, 2017. "Enhanced Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generator by Optimizing Mechanical and Electrical Structures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer & Eudald Balló & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Toni Pujol & Lino Montoro & Martí Comamala, 2020. "Electrical Generation of a Ground-Level Solar Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental Tests and One-Year Cycle Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Ezzitouni, S. & Fernández-Yáñez, P. & Sánchez, L. & Armas, O., 2020. "Global energy balance in a diesel engine with a thermoelectric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    3. Martí Comamala & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Albert Massaguer & Eduard Massaguer & Toni Pujol, 2018. "Effects of Design Parameters on Fuel Economy and Output Power in an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-28, November.
    4. Samir Ezzitouni & Pablo Fernández-Yáñez & Luis Sánchez Rodríguez & Octavio Armas & Javier de las Morenas & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer, 2021. "Electrical Modelling and Mismatch Effects of Thermoelectric Modules on Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator for Energy Recovery in Diesel Exhaust Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Toni Pujol & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer & Lino Montoro & Jose Ramon González & Martí Comamala & Samir Ezzitouni, 2021. "Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.

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