Fabrication of thermoelectric power generation by waste heat recovery in automobiles

Abstract

Conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) generally have less than a 30% of fuel efficiency, and the most wasted energy is dissipated in the form of heat energy. The heat energy maintains the engine temperature for efficient combustion as a good aspect, but the amount of heat generation is excessive and eventually breaks the engine components unless advanced cooling system technologies are supported such as high-capacity radiators, elaborated water jackets, high-flow rate coolant pumps, etc. The excessive heat dissipation plays a key role on a poor fuel economy, but reclamation of the heat energy has not been a main focus of vehicle design.