Calculation of Efficiency and Power Output by Considering Different Realistic Prospects for Recovering Heat from Automobile using Thermoelectric Generator

摘要

In this work, we are developing the theoretical prototype and improving thetechnique for installing the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) set up inautomobiles. We have considered a linear curve fit from a zigzag curve ofreported mass flow rate and temperature variation at the hot gas inlet.Accordingly, the temperature of the coolant is also varied linearly at theinlet from 300 K to 320 K and corresponding the mass flow rate of coolant.Circular fin is installed around each circular layer of ThermoelectricMaterials (TEM) after the water jacket. The heat loss through each fin iscalculated as 24 W. Energy balance is done at each and every TEM andcorrespondingly calculated the amount of power transferred through each segmentof TEG as 32 W. We have calculated the length of TEM sample for attaining therespective temperature range for the hybrid of $Bi_2Te_3$ and $TiO_{1.1}$. Thiscalculation is done by considering the compatibility factor derived as $s=\frac{\sqrt{1+ ZT}-1}{\alpha T}$ which is a ratio of current density toconduction heat flux. The length obtained for this particular combination is$\sim$8 mm. To this end, we have reported the efficiency with respect to massflow rate of hot flue gas from the automobile for different layers of TEG forthe above-mentioned combination. Here, we have explored the possibility ofinstalling a number of different layers TEG module which can be installedthroughout the lateral surface area of exhaust chamber. Thermal mismatchingcriteria are also discussed at the adjoining surface of TEM because of hightemperature. To maintain the thermal expansion or contraction of TEM, springand bolt arrangement is provided, which is fixed over the aluminium oxideceramic substrate. For automobile, if temperature of source is considered as800 K, so for the temperature range of 300 K to 800 K the ideal power output isobtained as 58 W.