Research on thermoelectric generation in the recovery of automobile exhaust waste heat

Abstract

This thesis addresses the exploration of thermoelectric generation (TEG) in vehicle exhaust waste heat recovery with the aim of improving vehicle energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Based on the Seebeck effect, the study analyses how the thermal energy of the engine exhaust can be converted into electrical energy by exploiting the temperature difference between the engine exhaust and the cooler ambient air. Through simulations carried out in COMSOL Multiphysics software, the paper examines in detail the key factors affecting the performance of the TEG, including the air inlet temperature, mass flow rate and the number of fins in the heat exchanger. It is shown that optimising the number of fins in the heat exchanger not only significantly improves the heat transfer efficiency, but also maximises the net power output of the TEG system whilst reducing pressure losses.

The results of this thesis provide a comprehensive understanding of the design and efficiency of thermoelectric power generation systems and confirm the potential for integrating TEG into the automotive sector, pointing to the ability of these systems to efficiently convert waste heat into useful energy, contributing to the sustainable development of the automotive industry.