Performance Investigation of an Exhaust Thermoelectric Generator for Military SUV Application

Abstract

Abstract:To analyze the thermoelectric power generation for sports utility vehicle (SUV) application, a novel thermoelectric generator (TEG) based on low-temperature Bi 2 Te 3 thermoelectric modules (TEMs) and a chaos-shaped brass heat exchanger is constructed. The temperature distribution of the TEG is analyzed based on an experimental setup, and the temperature uniformity optimization method is performed by chipping peak off and filling valley is taken to validate the improved output power. An automobile exhaust thermoelectric generator (AETEG) using four TEGs connected thermally in parallel and electrically in series is assembled into a prototype military SUV, its temperature distribution, output voltage, output power, system efficiency, inner resistance, and backpressure is analyzed, and several important influencing factors such as vehicle speed, clamping pressure, engine coolant flow rate, and ambient temperature on its output performance are tested. Experimental results demonstrate that higher vehicle speed, larger clamping pressure, faster engine coolant flow rate and lower ambient temperature can enhance the overall output performance, but the ambient temperature and coolant flow rate are less significant. The maximum output power of AETEG is 646.26 W, the corresponding conversion efficiency is 1.03%, and the increased backpressure changes from 1681 Pa to 1807 Pa when the highest vehicle speed is 125 km/h.

Strategies and challenges of high-pressure methods applied to thermoelectric materials

“…To find the coefficient Q of the transverse magnetothermoelectric effect [Eq. (8)], it is necessary to know the ratio of the distance between the electrical probes l to the sample thickness h [Figs. 8(b)-8(d)].…”

“…In addition, since both the magneto-thermoelectric and magnetoresistance effects depend directly on carrier mobility [Eqs. (6)- (8)], they should be cooperatively optimized.…”

“…122 On the other hand, this example does experimentally verify that significant magneto-thermoelectric effects are possible only when the carrier mobilities are rather high, as follows from Eqs. (7) and (8). Therefore, one can surmise that highpressure magneto-thermoelectric effects may be relevant to highquality crystalline or 2D materials that are characterized by high carrier mobility, whereas the nanostructured and different composite materials that are commonly utilized in thermoelectric applications are unlikely to exhibit significant magneto-thermoelectric effects.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] At present, thermoelectric materials are widely used in cooling technologies, in energy-efficient motors in the automotive industry, in biomedicine (for example in biothermal batteries for powering pacemakers), in photovoltaics, and in various military, aerospace, and other applications. [5][6][7][8][9] To be competitive compared with other energy sources, thermoelectric devices should be characterized by high values of certain performance parameters, the most important of which is the dimensionless figure of merit ZT, defined as…”

Artificial Neural Network and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interface System Modelling to Predict Thermal Performances of Thermoelectric Generator for Waste Heat Recovery

“…Niu et al have recommended that the baffles should be installed in front of the thermoelectric modules and the baffle angle should be increased in the flow direction to enhance the performance of the thermoelectric generator and to reduce the pressure drop [4]. Liu et al and Quan et al have proved that the chaos shaped internal structure in the heat exchanger improves the power output and thermal performance of the automotive thermoelectric generators [5,6]. Luo et al have improved the performance of the thermoelectric generators by proposing the heat exchanger with hotter side converges towards the inward [7].…”