Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators

Ivan Ruiz Cózar, Toni Pujol, Eduard Massaguer, Albert Massaguer, Lino Montoro, Jose Ramon González, Martí Comamala and Samir Ezzitouni
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Ivan Ruiz Cózar: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Toni Pujol: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Eduard Massaguer: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Albert Massaguer: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Lino Montoro: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Jose Ramon González: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Martí Comamala: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, Spain
Samir Ezzitouni: Escuela de Ingeniería Industrial y Aeroespacial de Toledo, Campus de Excelencia Internacional en Energía y Medioambiente, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Carlos III, s/n. Real Fábrica de Armas, 45071 Toledo, Spain

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) are devices used to harvest waste energy from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. An ATEG is essentially formed by three main elements: (1) heat absorber in contact with exhaust gases; (2) thermoelectric modules that directly convert heat into electricity; (3) heat sink to increase the heat transfer through the system. Thermoelectric modules (TEM) are commonly based on small-scale commercial units, with tenths of them needed to assemble a full ATEG device. Thus, several thermal and electrical connections between TEMs can be implemented. Previous studies focused on the implications on the output power. Here, we investigated the effects of using different module connections on the energy efficiency and on the electrical outputs (voltage and current). The study was carried out numerically with ATEGs that used from 4 to 100 individual TEMs. Series, parallel and square connections were investigated under two different engine operating points. The maximum output power was obtained with overall energy conversion efficiencies on the order of 3%. Though the series connection provided the highest output power, the square configuration was the best compromise between output power and electrical characteristics (voltage and current) to successfully integrate the ATEG into the vehicle management system.

Keywords: energy harvesting; thermoelectricity; series parallel connection; TEG (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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