New Device Turns Waste Heat into Electricity

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

I have no doubt researchers will be successful in effectively utilising waste heat from motor vehicle internal combustion engines to improve overall vehicle energy efficiency.

Yes, they might. There are a few ideas kicking around for how it might be done, some more fanciful than others.
My own take is that any gain, if/when achieved would be marginal given the generally quite low efficiencies of IC engines, particularly in vehicle (as opposed to static and DE) installations where the engine operates over quite a wide range of speeds and loads. A feasibility study could show the potential and realistically achievable gains. That needs number crunching, of course.

If the objective is to reduce fuel consumption (why else?), I think that there are a number of other measures that can be and have been taken.
Better aerodynamics, more efficient engines, better construction to reduce body weight, better attention to gear ratios, and a number of continuing developments in all those areas.

Then there are hybrids. Electric drive when it is inefficient to run the IC engine but not range limited in the way the electric only is. In my opinion, they will become more mainstream.

My friend and colleague has a Lexus GS450h, a luxury hybrid.
It can travel 50% further on the same amount of fuel and has better dynamic performance than the non-hybrid GS450.

To me, this would seem to be a better way to get significant results that tinkering around with the margins that might be possible with waste heat recovery.

Of course these developments are not mutually exclusive.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

Yes, they might. There are a few ideas kicking around for how it might be done, some more fanciful than others. My own take is that any gain, if/when achieved would be marginal given the generally quite low efficiencies of IC engines, particularly in vehicle (as opposed to static and DE) installations where the engine operates over quite a wide range of speeds and loads. A feasibility study could show the potential and realistically achievable gains. That needs number crunching, of course.

I have absolutely no doubt researchers and developers will make significant improvements to overall vehicle efficiency, in the capture and utilization of waste IC engine heat, particularly given significant heat gets wasted. As I mentioned before, this notion I believe will particularly be of relevance to hybrid and electric vehicles, in addition to existing IC engine vehicle technology. I have no doubt they will be successful.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

I have absolutely no doubt researchers and developers will make significant improvements to overall vehicle efficiency, in the capture and utilization of waste IC engine heat, particularly given significant heat gets wasted.

They might.
At this stage it is speculation.
To understand the nature, extent, potential benefits and costs of implementing waste heat recovery in a motor vehicle application you need to do the numbers, either by doing the calculations yourself or, if you can't, by looking at available information on the topic. Or, better still, by doing both.

I know that there is some research being undertaken in this field on both spark ignition and compression ignition systems. In some cases goals have been set.

This patent makes .....interesting reading:
Waste heat recovery device of internal combustion engine - US Patent 6823668

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

They might. At this stage it is speculation. To understand the nature, extent, potential benefits and costs of implementing waste heat recovery in a motor vehicle application you need to do the numbers, either by doing the calculations yourself or, if you can't, by looking at available information on the topic. Or, better still, by doing both.

I know that there is some research being undertaken in this field on both spark ignition and compression ignition systems. In some cases goals have been set.

This patent makes .....interesting reading:
Waste heat recovery device of internal combustion engine - US Patent 6823668

Speculation or otherwise, I have absolutely no doubt researchers and developers will make significant improvements to overall vehicle efficiency, in the capture and utilization of waste IC engine heat, particularly given significant heat gets wasted. If it was simply a matter of doing some calculations, then in all reasonable likelihood, the R & D people working in this area, would have already done such calculations and still deemed the research and development in this area to be worth the time and money being spent.

There is research in this area around the world and it's clear that researchers and developers think the investment of their time is still well worth while. I believe they will be successful without a doubt. This will remain my view until proven otherwise. I'm convinced that the evolving motor vehicle industry has a great future and the utilization of waste heat recovery will be a contributing factor to that great future.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

If it was simply a matter of doing some calculations, then in all reasonable likelihood, the R & D people working in this area, would have already done such calculations and still deemed the research and development in this area to be worth the time and money being spent.

Much R&D is undertaken without consideration of whether it it worth the time and money spent.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

Much R&D is undertaken without consideration of whether it it worth the time and money spent.

Either which way, I have no absolutely no doubt that on the whole, research and development will be successful in utilising waste internal combustion engine heat effectively, to such as extent as to help improve the overall energy efficiency of motor vehicles. Absolutely no doubt at all. I think the motor vehicle industry has a tremendous future of advancements ahead. I have no doubt about that.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

Either which way, I have no absolutely no doubt that on the whole, research and development will be successful in utilising waste internal combustion engine heat effectively, to such as extent as to help improve the overall energy efficiency of motor vehicle.

As I said, there are a few ideas kicking around. Time will tell whether they can or will be developed into systems that are sufficiently practical and commercially viable for use in motor vehicles.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

As I said, there are a few ideas kicking around. Time will tell whether they can or will be developed into systems that are sufficiently practical and commercially viable for use in motor vehicles.

Of all the ideas being researched and developed, I have absolutely no doubt that some of them will be successful in utilising waste internal combustion engine heat effectively, to such an extent as to help significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of motor vehicle. Absolutely no doubt whatsoever. The motor vehicle industry has a fantastic future.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

Of all the ideas being researched and developed, I have absolutely no doubt that some of them will be successful in utilising waste internal combustion engine heat effectively, to such an extent as to help significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of motor vehicle. Absolutely no doubt whatsoever.

Speculation or otherwise

Time will tell.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

Time will tell.

Indeed time is telling already and it looks like great developments will emerge before too long. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that researchers and developers will succeed in utilising waste internal combustion engine heat effectively, to such an extent as to help significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of motor vehicle. No doubt whatsoever.