Looks like someone took this idea and ran with it. Debuted at the Frankfurt show, Eberspaecher has designed a system to capture exhaust heat and spin a turbine with steam to produce electricity for automobiles. They also talk about a thermoelectric generator (TEC, peltier) and a heat accumulator that can heat up the CAT in seconds for a 95% reduction in cold start emissions.
Exhaust System Good For More Than Hot Air
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One of the technologies is a mini steam power plant designed to be plugged into the exhaust stream. Residual exhaust heats water within the unit until it vaporizes and drives a turbine blade. The resulting energy can be used mechanically or to generate electricity.
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In a passenger-car application, the supplier says the potential power generation lies between 800 and 1,100 watts, which corresponds to a carbon-dioxide reduction of about 10 g/km.
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