Heat-Pipe Embedded Exhaust Heat Recovery System

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will develop a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that will improve the overall efficiency of 100-kW class generator sets (gensets) by 5-10%. Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) proposes a novel heat-pipe embedded thermoelectric generator to convert exhaust heat directly into useful electrical energy. The proposed concept improves upon current exhaust recovery systems, which are inefficiently designed, in three aspects: 1) heat extraction; 2) heat conversion; and 3) heat rejection. The proposed technology will address these shortcomings with innovative heat transfer components, unique thermoelectric module adhesion, and a compact packaging design. The proposed concept will provide robust and efficient power conversion in a small package that can be retrofit to present gensets and be housed inside existing enclosures. These measures will allow the proposed design to be highly versatile and easily adapted to suit a wide variety of applications.