Change the Exhaust Heat into Energy Electricity
With this addition the comparison between the costs and benefits to be optimal. Therefore, researchers are now focusing designing components with only one high-temperature circuit.
“Recovery of thermal energy conducted on the exhaust. The energy used for heating the liquid under high pressure temperature. Heated fluid expands, flows into the turbine, spinning and producing energy, “explains Bergen Ringlet, Team Leader for Thermal Energy Conversion at the center of the BMW Group Research and Technology.
In turbo steamer last generation, the engineers developed an innovative turbine expansive impulse turbine based on the principle of (action) with different strengths (cheaper, lighter and smaller) than the previous concept.
“We achieved great progress of the specified target. We have successfully developed a system that is ready to be produced in the decades ahead. When completed, this system weighs only 10-15 pounds and can generate electricity when the car accelerated on the highway or out of town, “Weber Ringer. Even for long trips, will reduce fuel consumption by about 10 percent.
All components have undergone a test bench with a configuration module that can be incorporated in the vehicle. Installation done on Molokai (mock-up) BMW 5 sedan.
Direct
TEG project is now focused on the production. Two alternative systems were developed in accordance with the difference in temperature on exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR). The development stage focused on the unit incorporated in the exhaust system. For this, the size and weight of components is made as small and as short as possible.
TEG convert exhaust heat directly into electricity. For this, the BMW Group’s engineers only repair technology has been used for four decades by NASA. The principle works, the technology also known as the Seebeck Effect, the voltage can be generated between two different semiconductor thermoelectric temperature.
Because previous degrees TEG efficiency is still low, this technology is considered less suitable for automotive applications. However, in recent years, as technology continues to develop materials, TEG has successfully improved the performance, getting better.
Third Generation
The first step taken was to bring together engineers TEG on the exhaust system to produce electric current. The system actually has been shown to the public in 2008 and produce 200 watts power. At that time, extensional still considered low.
However, by using new materials – weights and measures Bertrand – the last generation TEG mounted in the exhaust produces 600 watts of electricity. Pretty soon, is expected to reach 1,000 watts. Last prototype tested in the BMW X6, the BMW-sponsored by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) or some sort of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Indonesia.
In 2009, BMW Group launched alternative development of this project. TEG is no longer installed as a separate module on Karlotta under the car, but united in the EGR radiator. It turned out that can generate 250 watts of electricity or it can reduce fuel consumption 2 percent.