| Description |
1 online resource (vi, 16 p. ): col. ill. |
| Series |
NREL/TP ; 540-44247 |
|
NREL/TP ; 540-44247.
|
| System Details |
Full text available via Internet in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader required. |
| Note |
Title from title screen (viewed April 24, 2009). |
|
"April 2009." |
| Summary |
Thermoelectric (TE) generators convert heat directly into electricity when a temperature gradient is applied across junctions of two dissimilar metals. The devices could increase the fuel economy of conventional vehicles by recapturing part of the waste heat from engine exhaust and generating electricity to power accessory loads. A simple vehicle and engine waste heat model showed that a Class 8 truck presents the least challenging requirements for TE system efficiency, mass, and cost; these trucks have a fairly high amount of exhaust waste heat, have low mass sensitivity, and travel many miles per year. These factors help maximize fuel savings and economic benefits. A driving/duty cycle analysis shows strong sensitivity of waste heat, and thus TE system electrical output, to vehicle speed and driving cycle. With a typical alternator, a TE system could allow electrification of 8%-15% of a Class 8 truck's accessories for 2%-3% fuel savings. More research should reduce system cost and improve economics. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (p. 15-16). |
| Type Of Report |
Technical report. |
| Funding |
Contract no. DE-AC36-08-GO28308 ; prepared under Task no. FC08.2000. |
| Subject |
Trucks -- Motors -- Exhaust gas.
|
|
Waste heat.
|
|
Heat recovery.
|
|
Thermoelectric generators.
|
|
Automobiles -- Research.
|
| Added Author |
Thornton, Matthew.
|
|
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)
|
| Gpo Item No. |
0430-P-03 (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
E 9.16:NREL/TP-540-44247 |
|
