Exhaust Gas Energy Recovery

Abstract

Engine waste heat recovery ( WHR ) systems have the potential to significantly improve vehicle fuel economy for conventional and hybrid electric power trains spanning passenger to heavy truck applications. This chapter discusses thermodynamic considerations and three classes of energy recovery technologies that are under development for vehicle applications. More specifically, this chapter describes the state of the art in exhaust WHR and challenges and opportunities for thermodynamic power cycles, thermoelectric devices, and turbocompounding systems.