Thermoelectric Generators for Waste Heat Recovery in Automobiles
Contact: Prof. C.T. Avedisian cta2@cornell.edu
Phone: 5-5105
Office: 193 Grumman Hall
This project will involve developing a report which analyzes the fuel economy gains that are possible by using solid state thermoelectric generators (TEG) to supply the electricity needs for automobiles (e.g., to power AC systems, lights, windows, computer, etc.). Up to 40% of the fuel's chemical energy is lost through the tailpipe as shown by the schematic in figure 4a. The concept is to convert this energy to electricity, thereby reducing the strain on the engine by using a smaller alternator. The idea is to use TEGs to convert the exhaust heat to electricity to reduce the size of the alternator. The fuel economy gains that are targeted are related to electricity generation through the load placed on the engine by the alternator.
The report to be developed will include a review of the current understanding of thermoelectric devices and identify the electricity requirements of a baseline car (a specific make and model would be chosen for illustration). Current alternator designs would be reviewed to document their efficiencies, and the load/torque imposed by belt systems to drive alternators on engine power would be specified. This information will provide a baseline for improvements in fuel economy: if these loads were eliminated (i.e., a frictionless alternator operating at 100% efficiency) what would the gain in fuel economy be?