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Effects of Design Parameters on Fuel Economy and Output Power in an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator

Author

Listed:
  • Martí Comamala

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Girona 17003, Spain)

  • Ivan Ruiz Cózar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Girona 17003, Spain)

  • Albert Massaguer

    (Nabla Thermoelectrics, c/Llibertat 71, Banyoles 17820, Spain)

  • Eduard Massaguer

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Girona 17003, Spain)

  • Toni Pujol

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Girona 17003, Spain)

Abstract

The need for more sustainable mobility promoted research into the use of waste heat to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. As such, thermoelectric generation is a promising technique thanks to its robustness and simplicity. Automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) are installed in the tailpipe and convert heat directly into electricity. Previous works on ATEGs mainly focused on extracting the maximum amount of electrical power. However, the back pressure caused by the ATEG heavily influences fuel consumption. Here, an ATEG numerical model was first validated with experimental data and then applied to investigate the effects that modifying the main ATEG design parameters had on both fuel economy and output power. The cooling flow rate and the geometrical dimensions of the heat exchanger on the hot side and the cold side of the ATEG were varied. The design that produced the maximum output power differed from that which maximized fuel economy. Back pressure was the most limiting factor in attaining fuel savings. Back pressure values lower than 5 mbar led to a < 0.2% increase in fuel consumption. In the ATEG design analyzed here, the generation of electrical output power reduced fuel consumption by a maximum of 0.5%.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:12:p:3274-:d:185169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jing-Hui Meng & Hao-Chi Wu & Tian-Hu Wang, 2019. "Optimization of Two-Stage Combined Thermoelectric Devices by a Three-Dimensional Multi-Physics Model and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Flávio Morais & Pedro Carvalhaes-Dias & Luís Duarte & Anderson Spengler & Kleber de Paiva & Thiago Martins & Andreu Cabot & José Siqueira Dias, 2020. "Optimization of the TEGs Configuration (Series/Parallel) in Energy Harvesting Systems with Low-Voltage Thermoelectric Generators Connected to Ultra-Low Voltage DC–DC Converters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, May.
    4. 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).
    5. Reyes García-Contreras & Andrés Agudelo & Arántzazu Gómez & Pablo Fernández-Yáñez & Octavio Armas & Ángel Ramos, 2019. "Thermoelectric Energy Recovery in a Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle under Real-World Driving Conditions at Different Altitudes with Diesel, Biodiesel and GTL Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Massaguer, Albert & Massaguer, Eduard, 2021. "Faster and more accurate simulations of thermoelectric generators through the prediction of the optimum load resistance for maximum power and efficiency points," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    7. He, Min & Wang, Enhua & Zhang, Yuanyin & Zhang, Wen & Zhang, Fujun & Zhao, Changlu, 2020. "Performance analysis of a multilayer thermoelectric generator for exhaust heat recovery of a heavy-duty diesel engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    8. Azeez mohammed Hussein, Hind & Zulkifli, Rozli & Faizal Bin Wan Mahmood, Wan Mohd & Ajeel, Raheem K., 2022. "Structure parameters and designs and their impact on performance of different heat exchangers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    9. 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.
    10. 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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