Amerigon subsidiary, BSST is advancing the use of thermoelectrics in the area of power generation. Used in reverse, thermoelectrics can generate power by converting thermal energy, such as the waste heat from an automobile exhaust, into an electrical current. In thermoelectric heating, cooling and power generation applications, traditionally designed TE devices suffer from low efficiency, predictive performance based on computer modeling and require the use of too much TE material to make them practical for large scale applications. BSST's research and development efforts provide improvements through accurate computer modeling, innovative design and integration of TE materials with substrates and heat exchangers.
BSST is currently involved in a number of private and public sector thermoelectric power generation projects, including two primary power generation projects with the U.S. Navy and one U.S. Army project exploring the use of thermoelectrics to improve the efficiency of stationary Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC ‘s) generating 500 watts or less while not increasing weight or size.
A thermoelectric generator will help
with overall vehicle fuel efficiency.
Automotive Waste Heat Recovery
Some experts argue that only about 25 percent of the energy produced by a typical gasoline engine is used to move a car or power its accessories, and nearly 60 percent is lost through waste heat. A thermoelectric device can capture some of this waste heat, and convert it to electricity.
BSST began developing high efficiency Thermoelectric Waste Energy Recovery Systems for passenger vehicle applications in November 2004 under a contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy Freedom Car Office.
The goal of the effort is to reduce fuel consumption by converting exhaust gasses into electricity using a Thermoelectric Generator Module (TGM). The electric power that is harvested from the waste heat would replace a significant portion of the electric power that is produced by a vehicle's alternator. BSST's TGM design and development are supported by contributions from BMW and Visteon in the areas of system simulation and subsystem hardware development.
U.S. Department of Energy Freedom Car Program Highlights:
Phase 1: Technical and commercial feasibility study. Modeled a system showing a 12% fuel economy improvement (completed 2005).
Phase 2: Designed, built and individually tested key subsystem components, including a Primary Heat Exchanger, Thermoelectric Generator Module and Power Control Systems (completed 2007).
Phase 3: Key subsystem components were integrated and bench tested as a final developmental step preceding engine integration. Ford Motor Company joined at this phase (completed 2008).
Phase 4: Integration of subsystems with a BMW inline six cylinder engine. Engine is tested on a dynamometer at the NREL in Golden, CO (nearing completion).
Phase 5: Integration of thermoelectric generators into both BMW and Ford vehicles. The vehicles will be tested over a wide range of driving conditions to validate fuel savings and emissions reduction performance (Q3 2010 completion).
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