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Optimization of hybridization strategy for improving the efficiency of thermoelectric generator to recover automobile exhaust waste heat

Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: This paper investigates the existing efficiency formulations of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and compares them with overall efficiency formulation ( η overall ). As TEG efficiency is the key factor in TEG performance, η overall formulation is validated and compared to the maximum efficiency ( η max ) formulation with consideration of temperature independent figure of merit (ZT). We have found that the ( η max - η overall ) is minimum (1.5%) at low temperature difference (100 K) and it increases (up to 12.67%) when temperature difference increases (up to 800 K). η overall is close to η max at low temperature difference but when temperature difference increases, η overall shows the overestimation of the efficiency results. Compatibility factor is the crucial factor for effective hybridization and segmentation of thermoelectric materials. Thermoelectric materials of Half-heusler alloys of Hf 0.75 Zr 0.25 Ni 0.9 Pd 0.1 Sn 0.975 Sb 0.025 and FeV 1.2−x Ti x Sb (x = 0.4) are considered for the p-n couple and TEG module design. The exhaust thermoelectric generator (ETEG) system consisting of 56 TEG modules is proposed to recover the automobile exhaust waste heat. Output power of 51.52 W is obtained from the ETEG system at a temperature difference of 458 K. At a temperature difference of 800 K (when cold end temperature is fixed at 315 K and hot end temperature vary up to 1115 K), the ETEG system can achieve 75.8 W of power. This ETEG system also provides an additional advantage in the life increment of the muffler due to a reduction in peak temperature. The overall efficiency of the proposed ETEG system is found to be 7.81%.
DOI: 10.1088/2631-8695/ac5126
Language: English
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4210795562
FWCI: 0.397
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Cited by: 7
Related to: 10