Validation of a fuel economy prediction method based on thermoelectric energy recovery for mid-size vehicles

Automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEG) have become a promising technology for exhaust heat recovering in vehicles. Many models and prototypes have been developed and validated with very encouraging results. Most of them have been analyzed in both steady-state and transient conditions in engine test benches. However, only very few have been tested on a real vehicle while injecting the power generated by the ATEG to the electrical system. The first part of this work deals with a real test of a new concept of ATEG in a mid-size vehicle under different steady-state engine regimes. The second part, which goes beyond the state-of-the-art of ATEGs, is focused on the validation of a new mathematical method for predicting the expected fuel economy. The ATEG presented allows for saving up to 1.08% of fuel and CO₂ emissions. In addition, the results show that the model enables the estimation of the ATEG savings accurately, with an average error of 11.27%. This data represents the accomplishment of the main objective of this paper providing original and unique data, and a useful tool for ATEG designers.