Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators
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 in...
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/8/2232 |
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| author | Ivan Ruiz Cózar Toni Pujol Eduard Massaguer Albert Massaguer Lino Montoro Jose Ramon González Martí Comamala Samir Ezzitouni |
| author_facet | Ivan Ruiz Cózar Toni Pujol Eduard Massaguer Albert Massaguer Lino Montoro Jose Ramon González Martí Comamala Samir Ezzitouni |
| author_sort | Ivan Ruiz Cózar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:15:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c2849f81108841e98bce9c003a1f2bac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:15:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2849f81108841e98bce9c003a1f2bac2023-11-21T15:53:32ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-04-01148223210.3390/en14082232Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric GeneratorsIvan Ruiz Cózar0Toni Pujol1Eduard Massaguer2Albert Massaguer3Lino Montoro4Jose Ramon González5Martí Comamala6Samir Ezzitouni7Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, Universitat de Girona, c/Universitat de Girona 4, 17003 Girona, SpainEscuela 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, SpainAutomotive 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/8/2232energy harvestingthermoelectricityseries parallel connectionTEG |
| spellingShingle | Ivan Ruiz Cózar Toni Pujol Eduard Massaguer Albert Massaguer Lino Montoro Jose Ramon González Martí Comamala Samir Ezzitouni Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators Energies energy harvesting thermoelectricity series parallel connection TEG |
| title | Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators |
| title_full | Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators |
| title_short | Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators |
| title_sort | effects of module spatial distribution on the energy efficiency and electrical output of automotive thermoelectric generators |
| topic | energy harvesting thermoelectricity series parallel connection TEG |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/8/2232 |
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