Thermal and power analysis of a modularised thermoelectric power generator for passenger vehicles

Recently, the thermoelectric power generation (TEG) technology emerges as alternative solution to the emission reduction challenge in this area. In this paper, we present an innovative pathway to an improved heat supply into concentric shape-adapted TEG modules integrating the heat pipe technologies. In order to enhance heat transfer for achieving higher efficiency, in our cases, the heat pipes are configured in the radial direction of the exhaust streams. Our analysis shows that potentials of power output are adequate for the limited space under the chassis of the passenger car. The efforts towards greater convective heat transfer also can be increased by adjusting the heat pipes at dual sides of the concentric TEG modules. Heat enhancement at the hot side of the TEG has an effective impact on the total power out of the TEG modules. However, such improvements can be offset by the adjustment from the coolant side. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of heat transfer versus the TEG power generation under two possible configurations in the passenger car. Highest power output per repeat unit is achieved at 29.8 W per 0.45 Litre with ZT value 0.87 for Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric material in our studies.