Waste Heat Recovery of an Automotive Engine Using Thermoelectric Generators

Techs: Software’s: Creo, COMSOL, ANSYS Hardware's: 208cc 7hp 4-Stroke Petrol Engine, 8- piece Thermoelectric Generators, Thermal paste, Heat sink, Water tank, Multimeter, Spray paint, Light, Potentiometer.
Department: Mechanical Engineering
MSTeamURL: click here

Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generators(AETEGs) are gaining significant importance, wherein the direct conversion of exhaust waste heat into electricity allows for a reduction in fuel consumption. We are utilizing the waste exhaust engine heat and converting it into useful electric power by using Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generators(AETEGs). Heat released through engine exhaust can be recovered by waste heat recovery systems and it can be converted into any useful energy such as electric power. High amount of heat energy produced during combustion in an internal combustion(IC) engine is lost in the form of heat into the environment, there is a need to control this loss. We are using exhaust hot gases coming from engine through exhaust manifold as our heat source. 8 pieces of Thermoelectric Generators are placed in series combination after exhaust, to convert excess heat into electricity through thermoelectric phenomenon.

Background:

Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generators(AETEGs) are gaining significant importance, wherein the direct conversion of exhaust waste heat into electricity allows for a reduction in fuel consumption. Over the past two decades, extensive progress has been made in material research, modules, and thermoelectric generator system. An innovative design of Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generators(AETEGs) is one potential technology that can increase vehicle fuel efficiency, that is a key necessity to make this technology commercially successful.

Objective:

We are utilizing the waste exhaust engine heat and converting it into useful electric power by using Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generators(AETEGs). Heat released through engine exhaust can be recovered by waste heat recovery systems and it can be converted into any useful energy such as electric power. High amount of heat energy produced during combustion in an internal combustion(IC) engine is lost in the form of heat into the environment, there is a need to control this loss. We are using exhaust hot gases coming from engine through exhaust manifold as our heat source. 8 pieces of Thermoelectric Generators are placed in series combination after exhaust, to convert excess heat into electricity through thermoelectric phenomenon, which is based on Seebeck effect.

Problem Statement:

Problem:

High amount of heat energy produced during combustion in an internal combustion(IC) engine is lost in the form of heat into the environment, there is a need to control this loss.

Solution:

We are using exhaust hot gases coming from engine through exhaust manifold as our heat source. 8 pieces of Thermoelectric Generators are placed in series combination after exhaust, to convert excess hot gases heat directly into electricity through thermoelectric phenomenon.

Methodology:

A small engine is under observed. Which is mounted on a test bed. The small engine test bed is attached with Versatile Data Acquisition System(VDAS), which gives real time values. A 19cm × 24cm heat sink is placed after the exhaust pipe to capture the heat from the flowing exhaust gas and transferring it to the hot side of the modules. A copper plate is placed on the hot side of the modules so that we can get more and fast heat transfer. Thermal paste is used to mount Thermoelectric modules. Thermoelectric modules setup, which are the main functional part of thermoelectric generators, they are made of several pairs of P-type and N-type legs/elements of the thermoelectric compounds which are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. Readings is noted by using data Acquisition and Integration unit and multimeters. After achieving voltages, the wires are attached with potentiometer, followed by a LED to glow up.

Socio-economic Benefits:

Through this project we can get green, clean, and sustainable energy. As we are using the waste heat and it doesn't require any special or separate burning of fuel. As we are utilizing the waste heat from the burning of the fuel in an engine. Thermoelectric Generators can be installed in any location where heat is being wasted, and current and voltage can be obtained.

Project Team Members

Registration# Name Email
FA18-BME-060 ABDUL MONIM abdulmonim1999@gmail.com
FA18-BME-049 SHAHZAIB AHMED happylittle01@gmail.com
FA18-BME-072 HAMZA ASHIQ mr.hamzaashiq@gmail.com
FA18-BME-073 MUHAMMAD HASNAIN husnain28522@gmail.com

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