Thermoelectric generators for automotive use

1. Thermoelectric
Generators for
Automotive Use
AUTO 480
COLIN GIBSON

2. Purpose
• Around 70% of an ICE’s energy is expelled as heat
• Automakers are looking to recover this lost heat and turn it into
useable energy.
• Will thermoelectric generators be a potential candidate for the
future?

3. Outline
• Introduction
• Hi-ZTechnology
• CylindricalTEG Cartridge

4. Introduction
• Thermoelectric generators turn waste-heat into useable power.
• History:
• USArmy SignalCorps,WWII
• Porsche 944 prototype, 1988
• Department of Energy Funding:
• General Motors

5. Seebeck Effect
• Thomas Seebeck discovered thermoelectric effect in 1820’s.
• Principle thermoelectric generators are based on
• Circuit of 2 dissimilar metals produces a voltage
• 2 junctions must be held at different temperatures

6. Thermoelectric Modules
• Composed of many small P and N
type semi-conductors.
• Produces voltage from
temperature difference

7. Hi-Z Technology
• Researches and designs
thermoelectric modules.
• US DOE funded project for class 8
diesel trucks in early 2000.
• Goal to design and test a 1-3 KwTEG
system.
• Bench tested with Cummins 335
• Power varies most with load
• 1000W at 300 HP

8. Cylindrical TEG Cartridge
• Teamed up to createTEG system that will improve fuel economy 5%.
• Easy to integrate, reliable, pass.Vehicle applications.

9. BMW
• Wanted something versatile
• CylindricalTEG unit to fit in exhaust
system
• Operates off of 400-650°C
exhaust gas and 40-100°C
coolant.
• Bench testing showed 200W
produced at 550°C

10. BMW cont.
• Installed on X3 xDrive28i SUV
• Dyno tested
• US Combined cycle,WLTP cycle
• Maximum output of 120W,
average of 30.2W.
• CO2 increase of .2 gCO2/km
• Probably due to weight of system

11. Gentherm
• Demonstrated technology on larger vehicle.
• Ford F-350, 6.2L SOHC flex fuel
• Added a radiator, moved entire unit closer to
catalytic converters, used moreTEG
cartridges.
• Exposes system to higher temp.
• Results showed 1.1KW peak, and 440W
average on the US06 testing procedure.
• 1.2% efficiency improvement, 9.2 gCO2/mi
reduction.

12. Summary and Conclusion
• Benefits:
• No moving parts
• Recovers otherwise wasted energy
• Versitile (ICE’s, electric vehicles, power generation, ect.)
• Low efficiency, especially with low engine loading
• Maybe future use in taxis, ups and mail trucks, dump trucks, ect.
• Recent research has lead to better materials, but still falls short.

13. Sources
• 1. Fagehi, H., “Optimal Design of an Automotive Exhaust
Thermoelectric Generator,” 2018, 3983-3995, doi: re
• 2. Jovovic,V., “Thermoelectric Waste Heat Recovery Program for
PassengerVehicles,” 2016, 1-102, doi: 10.2172/1337561.
• 3. “Brief History ofThermoelectrics,” 2019,
http://www.thermoelectrics.caltech.edu/thermoelectrics/history.html,
accessed April 2019.
• 4. “What is aThermocouple?,” 2003,
https://www.omega.com/prodinfo/thermocouples.html, accessed April
2019.
• 5. Kushch, A., “Thermoelectric Development at Hi-ZTechnology,” 2001,
1-8, https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc786078/.