Conceptual thermosyphonic loop cooled thermoelectric power
cogeneration system for automotive applications
Jason Sim1, a, Rozli Zulkifli2,b and Shahrir Abdullah3,c
1,2,3
Centre for Automotive Research, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, 43600 UKM
Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
a
JasonSTSim@gmail.com, bRozli@eng.ukm.my, cShahrir@ukm.my
Keywords: Green energy technology, thermoelectric, cogeneration, phase change cooling,
automobile, power generation
Abstract. Thermoelectric cogeneration may be applied to the exhaust of an automobile to generate
additional electric power, by applying a temperature differential across the thermoelectric power
generation modules. To obtain maximum nett power, the highest allowable temperature difference
should be obtained. Therefore, a cooling system should be employed to ensure that the cold side of
the thermoelectric modules remain as cold as possible. An evaporative cooling system patented by
Einstein and Szilard is used as a base for a non-parasitic cooling system to be used together with
thermoelectric modules. The cooling system utilizes the same heat which powers the thermoelectric
modules as a power source. By utilizing the high solubility of ammonia in water, the solubility
dependency with temperature, and usage of polar and non-polar solvents to direct the flow of
ammonia as a coolant, it is possible to create a cooling system which performs better than passive
heat sinks, but negates the power requirements of active cooling systems.