Research on the Compatibility of the Cooling Unit in an Automotive Exhaust-based Thermoelectric Generator and Engine Cooling System

• Published in: Journal of electronic materials Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 1815 - 1823
• Main Authors: Deng, Y. D., Liu, X., Chen, S., Xing, H. B., Su, C. Q.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2014; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applications; Applied sciences; Automobile engines; Automotive engineering; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cooling; Electronics; Electronics and Microelectronics; Engineering techniques in metallurgy. Applications. Other aspects; Exact sciences and technology; Instrumentation; Materials Science; Metals. Metallurgy; Optical and Electronic Materials; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Solid State Physics; Thermoelectric, pyroelectric devices, etc; Automotive exhaust heat; Engine cooling system; Cooling performance; TEG; Cooling unit; Speed; Heat treatment; Cooling; Thermoelectric generator; Boiling; Thermoelectric device; High speed; Automobile industry; Cooling system; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0361-5235; 1543-186X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11664-013-2881-8

The temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of thermoelectric modules is a key factor affecting the conversion efficiency of an automotive exhaust-based thermoelectric generator (TEG). In the work discussed in this paper the compatibility of TEG cooling unit and engine cooling system was studied on the basis of the heat transfer characteristics of the TEG. A new engine-cooling system in which a TEG cooling unit was inserted was simulated at high power and high vehicle speed, and at high power and low vehicle speed, to obtain temperatures and flow rates of critical inlets and outlets. The results show that coolant temperature exceeds its boiling point at high power and low vehicle speed, so the new system cannot meet cooling requirements under these conditions. Measures for improvement to optimize the cooling system are proposed, and provide a basis for future research.