Compact 10 kW TEG APU Using Exhausted Gas

In this Phase I program, an innovative concept for a 10 kW thermoelectric generator (TEG) using high temperature exhaust gas will be developed. Analysis shows that more than 90 % of the total heat transfer resistance is at the gas heat exchangers attached to the hot and cold junctions of the TEG modules. The major innovation offered in this program is to use an innovative method to stack thermoelectric modules between layers of high performance heat transfer surfaces resulting in a highly compact design that meets the specified size requirements. Also, the enhanced heat transfer surface will reduce the aerodynamic noise and weight of the system. To achieve the desired power generation rate, a number of TEG modules and heat exchangers will be stacked. This requires efficient flow distribution of the exhaust gas and the ambient air through the stacks. This program will also study an innovative concept of the header to obtain a counter flow configuration. In Phase I, a high performance heat transfer surface geometry and header will be designed, and a sub-scaled system will be built and tested. The test results will include estimation of noise, size, weight, and the temperature of the exiting exhaust gas.