In addition to the use of waste heat from the vessel’s exhaust gas to save energy onboard, reduce the carbon emissions of the ship, and combine the characteristics of ship waste heat, mathematical modeling and testing of ship waste heat temperature difference power generation were carried out in this study. Finally, an experimental platform for temperature differential power generation was established to assess the impact of influencing agents on the efficiency of temperature differential power generation. The results show that the effect of different thermally conductive greases on the efficiency of temperature differential power generation tablets is basically the same. In addition, the rate of flow of cooling water, the cooling plate area, and the heat source temperature have more significant effects on the open-circuit voltage and maximum output power. The results show that the maximum power output growth rate increases with increasing cooling water flow, reaching 8.26% at 4 L/min. Likewise, increasing the heat source temperature enhances the maximum output power growth rate by 15.25% at 220 °C. Conversely, the maximum output power of the temperature difference power generation device decreases as the cooling plate area increases, and the maximum output power reduction rate is 15.25% when the cooling plate area is 80 × 200 mm2 compared to the case of using a cooling plate area of 80 × 80 mm2. Moreover, the maximum output power of the temperature differential power generation device reaches 13.6 W under optimal conditions. Assuming that the temperature difference power generation plate is evenly distributed on the tailpipe of the 6260ZCD marine booster diesel engine, it could save approximately 5.44 kW·h electric power per hour and achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of 0.3435 kg per hour.

In order to investigate the effect of different influencing factors on the application of temperature differential power generation in the ship exhaust gas and to explore the potential of waste heat recovery and the utilization of exhaust gas during ship travel, an experimental system based on the temperature differential power generation of ship exhaust gas in the marine environment was established. The maximum output power and the maximum efficiency of each temperature-difference power generation module were theoretically calculated. The results showed that the insulation material and the salt water (seawater) had little effect on the efficiency of the temperature differential power generation modules. Conversely, the installation pressure, the heat transfer oil, the cooling water temperature (seawater temperature), and the heat source temperature (exhaust gas pipe temperature) had a great influence on the open-circuit voltage and the maximum output power. The thermally conductive silicone grease and the cooling water temperature of 10 °C increased the open-circuit voltage by 31.54% and 18.95%, respectively, and increased the maximum output power by 82.05% and 51.79%, respectively. The maximum output of a single temperature differential power generator reached 63.5% when using an installation pressure of 3 bar, a cooling water temperature of 20 °C, double-layer aluminum insulation, and thermally conductive silicone grease. Finally, this study provides relevant data support for using temperature differential power generation devices for ship exhaust gas.

In order to study the influencing factors of the application of temperature difference in ship’s exhaust gas and to explore the potential of recycling waste heat from ship’s exhaust gas, an experimental system for temperature difference power generation in ship’s exhaust gas has been designed. Besides, related performance studies have been carried out about the characteristics of temperature difference power generation tablets and exhaust gas. Moreover, the theoretical calculation of the maximum output power and maximum efficiency of the individual temperature differential power generation module was carried out. Furthermore, the effects of insulation material, installation pressure, thermally conductive silicone grease, brine concentration, cooling water temperature, and heat source temperature on the performance of the individual temperature differential power generation module were thoroughly investigated. The results showed that the insulation material and the brine had a small effect on the efficiency of the differential temperature power generator. Conversely, the mounting pressure, the thermal grease, the cooling water temperature, and the heat source temperature greatly influenced the open-circuit voltage and the maximum output power. The installation pressure, the thermal grease, the cooling water temperature, and the heat source temperature increased the open-circuit voltage by 6.72%, 31.54%, 18.95%, and 26.92%, respectively, and increased the maximum output power by 15.63%, 82.05%, 51.79%, and 49.41%, respectively. The maximum output of a single temperature differential power generator reached 63.5% when using an installation pressure of 3 bar, a cooling water temperature of 20°C, double-layer aluminum insulation, a thermally conductive silicone grease, and a brine concentration of 5.5%. Finally, this study provides reference data support for the use of temperature differential power generation devices for ship exhaust gas and lays a foundation for the further research and development of this technology on ships.