E131 Experimental Study of a Thermoelectric Generator with the Structure Using Both Water-Cooling and Air-Cooling

A thermoelectric generator prototype with the structure using both water-cooling and air-cooling for automobiles was proposed. In the prototype, the exhaust gas is used as a high heat source, and both the coolant and the ambient air are used as low heat sources to make temperature differences between both sides of a thermoelectric module to produce electric energy. The prototype has bridge fins to connect between the coolant and the ambient air, and thermoelectric modules are installed on the fins. Effects of air-cooling conditions were examined and it was found the thermoelectric module open voltage and the air-cooling ratio were increased when the air-cooling condition was changed from a natural convection to a forced convection.