Quote:
Originally Posted by Piwoslaw
There are a few threads on thermoelectrically recovering waste heat from the exhaust, for example VW Golf with exhaust thermoelectric power: +5% MPG . But maybe putting thermoelectrics on the radiator might be a good idea. I'd think it's at least as hot as the tailpipe. And aspera is right: maybe the best place to recover waste heat from is the turbo or intercooler. |
Thanks for the link. It looks like engineers are all working on ways to delete alternators and/or recover waste heat energy. Thermoelectrics on the radiator sounds like a good way to get a relatively constant difference in temperature, but much smaller than the difference between EGT and ambient temp.
One thing that came to mind in the other thread was the cost of the parts. Manufacturers would save loads of money if they didn't have to put alternators on engines. That's a lot of weight off the nose of the car, too.