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Thermoelectric Module & Hydrogen Production (HHO)

You may have noticed that there are many alternative energy websites selling HHO (hydrogen – oxygen mix) production systems for automobiles. The idea is to supplement the engine with a hydrogen and oxygen fuel mixture produced from onboard electrolysis of water to increasing combustion, horsepower etc., thus achieving higher gas mileage. We sell them too.

A few thermoelectric modules attached around the muffler can turn the waste heat from the engine into enough DC current to run the HHO system without any loss of horsepower from the engine. An internal combustion engine loses roughly 36% of the potential energy in gasoline through waste heat, so there is more than enough energy in the form of heat that could be tapped to power an onboard hydrogen assist system and even replace the alternator as well. Since the electrolysis process itself generates heat which is an energy loss, thermoelectric modules can be attached to the electrolysis chamber to recover some of that energy.

You still can’t run the engine entirely from fuel produced with an onboard hydrogen boost system, but you can greatly improve the overall engine efficiency and gas mileage. In short HHO systems are a viable energy solution and you do not have to wait for science and industry to develop the technology because they are available today!

Can you really generate that much electricity from waste heat?

You may be surprised just how much you can! Here is a small example of how much power you can generate. Below is a pot of hot water with 4 – thermoelectric modules attached around the sides. The output from this homemade thermoelectric generator (TEG) is about 8 watt and the light is a 12 volt 15 amp auto lamp.

Here is a thermoelectric generator exhaust setup for a 1999 GM pickup truck. Output is 12 volt 320 watts . . .

Here is a 180 watt thermoelectric generator setup for a Hybred!

If TEG's are so great, then how come the auto manufactures aren’t using them to increase engine efficiency?

You will start seeing TEG's in cars and trucks soon. Not to run an HHO unit, but rather to replace the alternator which would reduce load on the engine thus increasing gas mileage. Below is a diagram of a BMW concept car with a TEG setup. Within 5 to 10 years you won’t find alternators in new cars with internal combustion engines.

Using your cars exhaust or even the cooling system to generate electricity to power an HHO cell is only one possibility! Just use your imagination! Wherever there is wasted energy in the form of heat you can generate electricity!

So how do thermoelectric modules work?

Thermoelectric modules are solid-state integrated circuits that employ three established thermodynamic principles known as the Peltier, Seebeck and Thomson effects. Their construction consists of pairs of p-type and n-type semiconductor materials forming thermocouples that are sandwiched between two thin ceramic wafers.

These thermocouples are connected electrically in series and in parallel thermally forming an array of dozens of thermocouples. These modules can be used to heat and cool when an electric current is applied or to generate electricity when heat and cold are applied.

Thermoelectric modules used for heating or cooling can be found in a wide variety of products including 12-volt coolers and hot/cold cup holders now installed in select high-end automobiles.

Since our primary interest is with the ability to generate electricity with thermoelectric modules, we will remain focused on that aspect for this article. Below is a diagram of a TEM showing the basic configuration and setup. The amount of current produced is based of the difference in temperature between the two sides of the module. A heat sink is not required for cooling but it does help improve efficiency of the TEM.

Although all thermoelectric modules are capable of generating electricity, generally only the larger ones are being employed for such purposes. The power generation potential from an individual thermoelectric module will vary depending on its size, construction and the difference in temperatures.. The greater the difference in temperature from the hot and cold side of the modules the greater the voltage and amperage. Thermoelectric modules can also be wired together in groups either in series or parallel just like you would batteries to produce greater voltage or amperage.

Thermoelectric modules have been around for a long time but it is only recently that there has been an interest in power generation through waste heat recovery, so the science and engineering of the ‘application’ of this technology is lagging. Obviously this interest was spurred by high fuel cost and environmental concerns, but even with this motivation the application of this technology is still in its infancy.

Our design team is currently working on several different applications of thermoelectric modules for automotive use as well as other thermoelectric systems. However in the meantime we fully encourage our visitors to experiment with their own home-made thermoelectrically generated power systems.

Remember, wherever there are sources of wasted heat or even solar & geothermal, there is energy waiting to be tapped!

Thermo1.com does not provide specific designs plans or design consulting service at this time. We apologize for not being able to provide individualized help, but we simply do not have the time to provide consulting services. However, there is an excellent website and business that specializes in the design and manufacturing of thermoelectric generators and they are HHO friendly!

You can visit them at . . . http://www.tegpower.com/