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[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
BMW Outlines Intelligent Heat Management Applications for Reducing Fuel Consumption and CO2; New Thermoelectric Generator Unit Integrated with EGR
October 12, 2009
| Distribution of energy in the car. Click to enlarge. |
BMW dedicated a portion of its recent Innovation Days 2009 event to the topic of Intelligent Heat management as a mechanism for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Among the projects discussed were reducing cold starts; using waste heat for different heating applications in the car; and a new implementation of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) for waste heat recovery.
Even a highly efficient combustion engine converts only about one-third of the energy in the fuel into traction actually propelling the car. The remaining two-thirds are lost as waste heat going into the environment through the car’s exhaust emissions and through the radiator.
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Ford Conducts Design of Experiment Investigating Thermoelectric Energy Regeneration
May 04, 2009
by Jack Rosebro
| Conceptual schematic of direct thermoelectric generator mounted in a vehicle’s exhaust stream. Indirect configurations are also possible. Adapted from Hussain et al. Click to enlarge. |
At SAE 2009 World Congress in Detroit last month, Ford Motor Company presented a research paper that detailed the results of an initial investigation, termed a Design of Experiment, into thermoelectric exhaust heat energy recovery in conjunction with a hybrid powertrain.
The investigation, conducted by Ford engineers Quazi Hussain, Clay Maranville, and David Brigham, used computer modeling to predict the performance of TE devices of various physical configurations, using average highway-speed exhaust gas flows and temperatures of a 2.5L engine with an Atkinson-cycle engine, as used in Ford’s Escape hybrid SUV.
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Komatsu to Begin Sales of Thermoelectric Generation Modules
January 28, 2009
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| Komatsu thermoelectric generation module. Click to enlarge. |
Construction-equipment manufacturer Komatsu Ltd. will launch the commercial production and sales of thermoelectric generation (TEG) modules beginning in May.
Komatsu’s TEG modules, which are based on a bismuth (Bi) and tellurium (Te) material, have a conversion efficiency of 7.2% under a temperature differential of 280 °C on the high-temperature side and 30 °C on the low-temperature side. Under these conditions, maximum output is 24W per module, with a power density of approximately 1 W cm-2.
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DOE to Fund up to $14.55M for Vehicle RD&D Projects: PHEV Li-ion Materials and Manufacturing; Thermoelectric HVAC; and Aerodynamic Heavy-Duty Truck Trailers
December 04, 2008
The US Department of Energy (DOE) selected six cost-shared research projects for the development and demonstration of alternative vehicle technology projects totaling a DOE investment of up to $14.55 million over three years, subject to annual appropriations. The projects were selected under three diverse topic areas: lithium-ion battery materials and manufacturing; thermoelectric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; and aerodynamic heavy-duty truck trailers. (Earlier post.)
Private sector contributions will further increase the financial investment for a total of up to $29.3 million. The selections are part of DOE’s continuing work to develop high efficiency vehicle technologies and are not part of the previously announced $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program for retooling. (Earlier post.)
