Thermal-electrical coupling properties and optimum analysis of a vehicle exhaust driven thermoelectric system

Abstract

In this work, the irreversible heat transfer theory is applied for studying the thermal-electrical coupling properties and parametric optimum designs of a thermoelectric system (TES) driven by vehicle exhaust. The thermal balance equations are numerically solved to obtain the dependences of the hot- and cold-side’s temperatures on the thermocouple number and electrical current of the TES. The effects of the thermocouple’s structural parameter on the voltage-current characteristics are discussed. By optimizing the structural parameter and the electrical current, the maximum power generation and energy conversion efficiency of the TES are determined. Making trade-offs between the power output and the efficiency, the parametric selective criteria are provided. The influences of the vehicle exhaust’s inlet temperature on the optimum performances and operating conditions are revealed. The results obtained in present work are significant for the recovery and utilization of medium-grade thermal energy from the vehicle.