Yamaha Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Power & Mobility: Demonstration of Significant CO2 Reduction by Thermoelectric Generator Installed in a Vehicle

CO₂ reduction by up to 3.1% is expected by regenerative electric power via exhaust gas heat through Thermoelectric Generator unit on a vehicle with 2.0L gasoline engine

Yamaha Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Power & Mobility Co., Ltd., a Sumitomo Corporation Group company (hereafter referred to as “both companies” or “we”), have jointly demonstrated a new waste heat recovery system based on thermoelectric generator (hereafter referred to as “TEG”) technology, which generates electrical power via exhaust gas heat and was proved to reduce CO₂ emissions during vehicle testing on a chassis dynamometer (hereafter referred to as “this demonstration test”).

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Illustration of TEG unit’s Effect for Automotive (Graphic: Business Wire)

TEG unit, which is installed in a part of vehicle exhaust system, can reduce CO₂ emissions following the reduction of alternator load achieved by generating electrical power from unutilized waste exhaust gas and also by early warm-up of engine by heated coolant through TEG unit at engine start.

In this demonstration test TEG unit was installed in a test vehicle, and the generated electrical power from TEG unit and CO₂ emissions were measured on a chassis dynamometer. Thanks to the TEG unit, 1.9% of CO₂ emissions (i.e. 3.9 g/km) was reduced throughout the European WLTP^*1 driving cycle. Following this result, the potential benefit of TEG unit was estimated to be 3.1% CO₂ reduction (i.e. 6.4g/km) by further optimization of vehicle installation of TEG unit.

Background of the Development

Recently the activities to realize a carbon neutral society have been accelerated globally and further CO₂ reduction has been requested strongly to automotive industry.

TEG has long been drawing attention as one of the environmental technologies, and in the automotive industry various development efforts have been made to materialize the technology to reduce CO₂ emissions. However, due to the insufficient performance and reliability of the TEG module, and also lack of engineering work to design the system using TEG unit on a vehicle, the technology has yet to be put into practical use.

In March 2021, both companies commenced sample sales of a TEG module, YGPX024^*2, that features the highest output and largest size^*3, to investigate market needs. We have now conducted this demonstration test for automotive applications where business on a large market scale can be expected.

Outline of the Demonstration Test

This demonstration test was outsourced to FEV Europe GmbH (Headquarters: Aachen, Germany). A system composed of TEG unit and DC/DC converter was installed in a test vehicle and this demonstration test was conducted on a chassis dynamometer. The details of the demonstration test are as follows.

• Test Vehicle
  
  Jaguar F-PACE (2.0L turbo-charged petrol engine, SUV)
  
  
  
  
• Configuration of TEG unit
  
  TEG unit consists of four YGPX024 TEG modules, two heat exchangers for exhaust gas and three heat exchangers for water cooling circuit stacked together. With a proprietary structure and manufacturing method, YGPX024 has the largest output in the world and offers reliability suitable for automotive applications^*3.
  
  
  
  
• Schematic of TEG unit installation in a vehicle
  
  TEG unit was installed in the exhaust pipe at the downstream of the catalyst. The main engine cooling circuit was branched and extended to TEG unit. The existing water pump on the vehicle was used to supply coolant to TEG unit. In parallel with the existing alternator the TEG unit was connected directly to an existing 12V battery via a DC-DC convertor with maximum power point tracking function, which enabled the unit to operate at its optimum and efficiently obtain electrical power. No external equipment was used for this test, due to the importance of evaluating the actual benefit for the vehicle.
  
  
  
  
• Evaluation Method
  
  This demonstration test was done based on different test cycles such as European WLTP driving cycle (incl. Phase 4), US06^*4 driving cycle and steady state driving cycle. During the tests on a chassis dynamometer, CO₂ emissions and the electrical output generated from TEG unit were measured to evaluate the effect of TEG unit.

Test Result

CO₂ reduction and electrical output from TEG unit are summarized as follows.

• European WLTP driving cycle
  
  CO₂ reduction: 1.9% (3.9 g/km); Max. electrical output: 165 W
• US06 driving mode
  
  average electrical output: 97 W
• Steady state driving cycle at 2,000 rpm (for extended-range electric vehicle and series-hybrid vehicle)
  
  electrical output: 195 W, equivalent to 40% of alternator generated power

During this demonstration test, there were notable installation restrictions for the TEG unit, and the gas temperature at the exhaust inlet pipe could not reach the target value. Therefore, we conducted an additional test achieving the target gas temperature, and based on the test result, our analysis showed a maximum CO₂ emissions reduction of 3.1% (6.4 g/km) by optimizing the vehicle installation of TEG unit.

Future Prospects

It is certain that electrification and higher efficiency of internal combustion engines are essential in automotive industry to realize a carbon neutral society. Most automotive manufacturers require novel technologies for further improvements in CO₂ reduction of vehicles with an internal combustion engine. Our goal is to realize a carbon neutral society with our customers through the world’s first practical use of TEG unit for automotive applications.

• Introduction to Sumitomo Corporation Power & Mobility Co., Ltd.
  
  Sumitomo Corporation Power & Mobility Co., Ltd. is developing a wide variety of businesses around the world related to "building next-generation mobility systems and social infrastructure" by utilizing the abundant experience and know-how of the Sumitomo Corporation Group and its international network. Major businesses include the (1) trade of automobiles and rail vehicles, and power generation facility equipment (export and import, and trilateral trade), (2) development and execution of overseas power plant projects and transportation projects, and (3) development of new business in the mobility field.
  
  For details, please access: https://www.sc-pmco.com/en/

* All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

* All information is as of the date of release. Information is subject to change after its release.

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