Optimization and characterization of a thermoelectric generator prototype for marine engine application

An analytical study on the effect of applied pressure on heat transfer coefficient has been made for tendency prediction. In a first step, two types of commercial TEM have been studied separately on the test rig. The engine data were extracted from a Diesel engine that shares the same principles with marine Diesel engine in terms of engine efficiency and exhaust conditions. Results showed an optimum clamping pressure for the TEG device corresponding to a compressive stress of 0.35 MPa. These results were coherent with the predicted ones in the analytical study. The Bismuth-Telluride TEM showed a 70% higher power output compared to SiliconGermanium TEM, but rapid deterioration of the TEM occurred when air inlet temperature in the TEG exceeded 300 °C.