Review of Automotive Thermoelectric Generator Structure Design and Optimization for Performance Enhancement

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) has emerged as a critical technology for automotive exhaust energy recovery, yet there is still a lack of reviews analyzing automotive TEG structure design and optimization methods simultaneously. Therefore, this review consolidates structure design and methods for improving thermoelectric conversion efficiency, focusing on three core components: thermoelectric module (TEM), heat exchanger (HEX), and heat sink (HSK). For TEM, research and development efforts have primarily centered on material innovation and structural optimization, with segmented, non-segmented, and multi-stage configurations emerging as the three primary structural types. HEX development spans external geometries, including plate, polygonal, and annular designs, and internal enhancements such as fin, heat pipe, metal foam, and baffle to augment heat transfer. HSK leverages active, passive, or hybrid cooling systems, with water-cooling designs prevalent in automotive TEG for cold-side thermal management. Optimization methods encompass theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, experimental testing, and hybrid methods, with strategies devised to balance computational efficiency and accuracy based on system complexity and resource availability. This review provides a systematic framework to guide the design and optimization of automotive TEG.