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Feasibility analysis of possible use of thermoelectricity for electricity generation from residual heat sources in an automobile

M.A. Sanz-Bobi R. Palacios J. Vázquez

January 2002 - September 2002

Funding entity Ford - Alemania


The objective of this project is the development of a feasibility study for the generation of electricity from residual heat sources located in an automobile. The generation of electricity will be based on the use of thermoelectricity. This requires two heat sinks. One of them must be the hot sink and the another one the cold sink. The thermoelectric module has to be in between both heat sinks in order to produce electricity. The heat is transferred from the hot sink to the cold sink passing through the thermoelectric module. The application of this principle (Seebeck effect) to an automobile has to take into account the possible residual heat sources in an automobile, the possible thermoelectric modules to be used according to the current technology and the convenient location of the thermoelectric modules between both heat sources. The objective of this project will be reached completing the following set of tasks:
1. Evaluation of residual heat sources in an automobile
2. Review of thermoelectric modules
3. Alternatives for generation of electricity from heat sources in an automobile
4. Possible applications of thermoelectricity as heat pump in current and future vehicles


FORD_TERMO