WASTE HEAT RECOVERY BY USING THERMOELECT

This paper explains how to convert the lost energy through the exhaust system in internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric energy by using thermoelectric generators (TEG) with the benefit of the existing equipment in most ICEs, such as water pumps and heat exchangers. A miniature cooling system designed in the laboratory resembles the coolant system of combustion engines to maintain a cold side in TEGs at ambient temperature. The heat source applied to the hot side of the TEGs comes from small candles, utilizing Bismuth Telluride material as N-P stripes, thermally attached in parallel and electrically in series, inserted between two porcelain layers. The experiment demonstrated that the generated electric current from TEGs is direct current (DC) and showed that the electrical current values were proportional to the temperature difference between the TEGs' hot and cold sides. This system not only generates electricity but also reduces the fuel consumption of combustion engines, leading to lower emissions and benefiting environmental conservation.