Study on energy converter from waste heat of automobile engine

Abstract

Utilization of alternative fuels and utilization of waste heat has also become a major research area. This study reports on an investigation on a development of an energy converter of heat engine that converts energy from a waste heat flow process into acoustic power. The energy power converter operates with a temperature gradient imposed on a Celcor ceramic stack which then induces pressure oscillations. The system consists of a simple stainless steel pipe tube with a range of diameter open at one end. A waste heat gas is used to model a potential heat source from automobile engine. A two heat exchanger is required while copper plates are used as the ambient heat exchanger and hot heat exchanger. Effects on pressure oscillations have been observed with a calculated heat rate of 50 W at the stack. The system which operates at atmospheric pressure with air as the working fluid indicates a potential in utilizing the heat produced from waste heat automobile engine into making a new energy resource.