Effect of the use of a thermoelectric generator on the pumping work of a diesel engine

Abstract

Approximately a third part of the energy intake of a light-duty diesel engine is wasted through the exhaust system. Rising awareness of environmental issues together with fuel economy has encouraged research upon energy recovery in internal combustion engines. This article focuses on the application of thermoelectric generators in light-duty diesel vehicles. Most studies available in the literature tend to focus on maximizing the recovered electrical power, not always considering the increase in engine pumping work or testing conditions similar to those of a vehicle. The goal of this article is to evaluate the consequences of the modification of the cross-sectional area in the exhaust pipe that adding a thermoelectric generator implies and to compare them with the electrical power produced by the thermoelectric generator. The effect on the indicated and pumping parameters of the engine under common urban driving conditions is presented. From the results, it can be drawn that within the limits of engine speed and torque tested, the modification of the cross-sectional area does not have a significant negative effect on the engine pumping efficiency. This means that there is potential for the employment of this technique in energy recovery from light-duty vehicles.