Waste Heat Utilization of I.C. Engine by Thermoelectric Power Generation Method

Abstract

Anand Kale, Prof. Yogesh Andhale 2 1 Research Scholar, Mechanical Engineering Department, DYPSOEA, Ambi, Pune. 2 Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, DYPSOEA, Ambi, Pune. AbstractThe efficiency in an internal combustion engine ranges from 25% to 35%. About 40% of the overall fuel energy losses in a combustion engine are waste heat which is blown out with the exhaust gases and 30% is cooled away by the vehicle’s radiator. Even if a small fraction of the waste heat could be turned into useful energy again it would be a step in the right direction of improving fuel economy. In order to achieve uniform temperature distribution and higher interface temperature, the thermal characteristics of heat exchangers with various heat transfer enhancement features such as internal structure, material and surface area is to be considered. After designing suitable heat exchanger the thermo electric modules will be incorporated on the heat exchanger for performance analysis. In order to observe the differential change in exhaust conditions due to the addition of thermoelectric generator to the exhaust system, experiments to be conducted on the test engine. Thus this work aims to analyze the performance of thermoelectric generator under various engine operating conditions like engine speed. It would be useful to update the potential of thermoelectric generation in the automobile industry nowadays.