In this study, we have investigated the recovery of energy lost as waste heat
from exhaust gas and engine coolant, using an improved thermoelectric
generator (TEG) in a LPG fueled SI engine. For this purpose, we have designed
and manufactured a 5-layer heat exchanger from aluminum sheet. Electrical
energy generated by the TEG was then used to produce hydrogen in a PEM water
electrolyzer. The experiment was conducted at a stoichiometric mixture ratio,
1/2 throttle position and six different engine speeds at 1800-4000 rpm. The
results of this study show that the configuration of 5-layer counterflow
produce a higher TEG output power than 5-layer parallel flow and 3-layer
counterflow. The TEG produced a maximum power of 63.18 W when used in a
5-layer counter flow configuration. This resulted in an improved engine
performance, reduced exhaust emission as well as an increased engine speed
when LPG fueled SI engine is enriched with hydrogen produced by the PEM
electrolyser supported by TEG. Also, the need to use an extra evaporator for
the LPG fueled SI engine is eliminated as LPG heat exchangers are added to
the fuel line. It can be concluded that an improved exhaust recovery system
for automobiles can be developed by incorporating a PEM electrolyser, however
at the expense of increasing costs.
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