Abstract
This work focuses on the potential for waste energy recovery from exhaust gases in a diesel light-duty vehicle tested under real driving conditions, fueled with animal fat biodiesel, Gas To Liquid (GTL) and diesel fuels. The vehicle was tested following random velocity profiles under urban driving conditions, while under extra-urban conditions, the vehicle followed previously defined velocity profiles. Tests were carried out at three different locations with different altitudes. The ambient temperature (20 ± 2 °C) and relative humidity (50 ± 2%) conditions were similar for all locations. Exergy analysis was included to determine the potential of exhaust gases to produce useful work in the exhaust system at the outlet of the Diesel Particle Filter. Results include gas temperature registered at each altitude with each fuel, as well as the exergy to energy ratio (percentage of energy that could be transformed into useful work with a recovery device), which was in the range of 20–35%, reaching its maximum value under extra-urban driving conditions at the highest altitude. To take a further step, the effects of fuels and altitude on energy recovery with a prototype of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) were evaluated.
Highlights
One of the main strategic goals worldwide is the increase in the energy efficiency in order to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and the associated pollution
Despite the efficiency increase, approximately one-third of the fuel energy in a diesel engine is lost through exhaust gases, which implies a significant potential for heat recovery
The aim of this work is to study the potential of a real prototype of a thermoelectric generator in a light-duty diesel vehicle under real driving conditions at different altitudes with three different fuels: biodiesel from animal fat, a paraffinic gas-to-liquid fuel derived from natural gas, and commercial diesel fuel used as a reference
Summary
One of the main strategic goals worldwide is the increase in the energy efficiency in order to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and the associated pollution. In Europe, Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources sets of a saving of 20% on energy consumption through increased energy efficiency as the target for 2020 [1]. In this sense, the transport sector optimization, especially light-duty diesel fleet, is essential due to its overall high energy consumption and environmental implications. Despite the efficiency increase, approximately one-third of the fuel energy in a diesel engine is lost through exhaust gases, which implies a significant potential for heat recovery. In order to recover part of this waste heat, several devices have been tested, the Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) [7], the electric turbo-generation (ETG), identified as Mechanical
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