Utilization of Exhaust Heat From Automotive Using Thermopile

Abstract

With increase in the global warming and the depletion of the renewable sources of energy, the urge to shift towards alternate and green sources of energy has elevated. Extensive research in the field of greener sources of energy has led to the advancement of thermocouple to convert the waste heat into electrical energy there by shifting our concerns from conventional to exceptional ways. Utilizing that amount of heat which generally can't be used in power generation at a huge level, but does play significant role in energy conservation system. Thermocouples can be used to convert temperature difference into voltage, with several thermocouples when placed together enhances the output of the process. While carrying out this project, we got to know that though the results obtained were highly dependent on the vicinity of the place where the process took place but sufficient amount of potential was generated which could be enhance with the help of booster circuit and could be brought into use for future applications. Project was carried out first on thermopile with four of them attached in series so that the output was the sum of all individual. High fluctuations were observed due to short circuits as the opening of the exhaust pipe was small. While repeating the same procedure with thermopile having only two thermocouples attached in series, results was up to the mark and sufficient amount of constant voltage was generated. This voltage was further enhanced with the help of booster circuit. The results obtained were highly dependent upon the climate as well as the vehicle passing by. Therefore, certain preventive measures have to be taken to control the fluctuations so that the circuit voltage and current can be properly boosted.