Exploring thermoelectric generation of electrical energy from exhaust gas heat: An experimental study

The global increase in energy demand has driven the automotive sector to rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to harmful GHG emissions. Recent advancements in exhaust gas recovery aim to enhance the efficiency of internal combustion engines, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption and mitigating global warming. This study explores the potential of thermoelectric heat recovery systems in automotive applications, focusing on recovering heat from exhaust gases to generate electrical energy. A prototype exhaust system using 27 thermoelectric generators was developed, demonstrating its potential to improve fuel economy by converting waste heat into usable electricity. The study achieved a maximum current of 0.47 A, a voltage of 13.05 V, and 6 W of electrical power over a five-hour operation period. However, the system required a cooling load of 1.792 kW to maintain functionality, highlighting challenges in efficiency and integration.