generating electricity from engine heat

[highmiler]

Reading about thermoelectric generators -produce electricity from heat. Maybe could remove alternator. Compay - tegpowerdotcom makes one to clamp on exhaust pipe. Anyone tried this?

[dennyt]

Nice! I think these have some potential.
Thermoelectric Generators Wholesale

[jiggersplat]

bmw experimented with a steam hybrid system where engine heat drove a steam piston.

google "turbosteamer"

[dennyt]

Here's an update:
BMW adds steam engine to car, improves fuel efficiency by 10% | DVICE

BMW has successfully integrated a small steam turbine into a prototype 5 series that converts waste engine heat into electricity, resulting in a solid 10% increase in miles per gallon.

[graydonengineering]

I remember kicking this concept around back in college. One of my professors was talking about how a combustion engine, much like a mammal, uses a huge percentage of energy to produce waste heat. It may not yield all that much by the time it is converted back to electricity but hey, it's free.

[Ryland]

Stuff like this would work great for Semi-trucks, but for passenger cars people tend to drive short trips, your exhaust is going to rust out before the peltier junction is paid for.
I don't know how the cost of TEG's (thermo electric generators) has gone in price, but about 3 years ago they were up around $8 per watt and you would need a constant output of 300 watts or so depending on head lights, vent fan, radio use and the vehicles ECU.

[Ladogaboy]

I'm very interested in this option for my car later down the road. Using a thermoelectric generator to absorb some of the EGT and allow me to delete the alternator would be awesome.