A Heat Recovery Method of Internal Combustion Engine Using a Thermoelectric Generator

Abstract

The means by which engines lose energy include losses such as friction between the moving parts and heat. The heat losses are larger than the friction losses, and the largest portion of heat loss occurs in the exhaust system. The recovery of heat losses represents a power gain by the process and reduction in engine fuel consumption. An experimental study was conducted for utilizing waste exhaust heat to generate electricity using thermoelectric generators. The test engine was a four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled spark ignition (SI) engine. Four thermoelectric generators were installed at the upper surface of the engine silencer, with two aluminium heat sinks in order to decrease the cold side temperature. The experimental results showed that the generated voltage from the four thermoelectric generators went up with increase in the hot side temperature, and time. The maximum voltage generated was 11 volts under natural convection effect. The study was accomplished at engine speed 2200rpm with brake power 1473.77 W and fuel consumption of 0.83kg/hr.