Internal combustion engines that work on gasoline can produce a lot of energy, but surprisingly they are not too effective. The fact is that most of the energy consumed (according to estimates, three quarters) is lost in the form of heat from the engine, which disappears through the exhaust pipe, writes Futurism.
Therefore, the researchers have a logical question: what if it were possible to use this part of lost thermal emissions to increase the efficiency of vehicles.
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A group of researchers states that it has created a device that can turn the heat of exhaust gases into electricity. The new device has a relatively simple design, thanks to this, it can be installed on the exhaust pipe of any car or even on the exhaust systems of other vehicles, such as helicopters.
According to the authors of the invention, the prototype of the thermoelectric generator was able to issue the maximum output power of 40 W, which is enough to power the light bulb. Scientists emphasize that such results were obtained in limited experiments.
Thermoelectric generators work due to temperature changes. When one of these devices is placed nearby or on something that produces outgoing heat, the electrons stretch from hot side to cold, creating an electric current.
In this case, the researchers say, they used a semiconductor from a teeride of Vismuth to facilitate this process. The problem is to maintain the temperature difference. Without intervention, the cold part of the generator will also begin to heat up, and the current is lost.
In some cases there were attempts to use water cooling. But this brings many difficulties and makes the device itself more bulky.
Therefore, the team used a smart, but relatively simple radiator design, using a cylinder with protrusions in the form of ribs, which turns around the exhaust pipe. Thus, an additional surface area for heat removal is ensured by compulsory convection.
When modeling high -speed media, the researchers found that their thermoelectric system can produce up to 56 watts of power when driving at the speed of the car. And for helicopters, this power was almost three times greater: 146 watts.
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Recall, scientists told how its pollution destroys our liver. The problem of exhaust gases produced by cars on the roads is acute for not the first decade and many countries have been taking measures to reduce them. However, scientists recently found that they spoil not only air but also our organs.