Effect of engine exhaust gas pulsations on the performance of a thermoelectric generator for wasted heat recovery: An experimental and analytical investigation

An analytical model has been developed to identify and quantify the effect of each parameter on the convective heat transfer coefficient between the exhaust gas and the thermoelectric module, hence on the TEG performance. Test results show a difference in the TEG output power up to 30% between hot air and real engine test at perfectly similar TEG inlet temperature and mass flow rate. The model identifies that 5-12% of this difference is related to the gas composition whereas another test rig proves that the engine exhaust pulsating flow is responsible for the remaining difference (88-95%). Further studies will be conducted to improve the TEG design thanks to this pulsation effect behavior.