Numerical simulation on energy conversion of automobile emission

The high temperature exhaust gases from vehicles are utilized to produce electric power by the MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) energy conversion generator. The electrical energy can then be used to replace existing alternator recharging systems in today´s vehicles or in future hybrid-electric vehicles, and both of them to power the vehicle on-board electric energy storage systems. The MHD power generator has been developed to utilize this waste heat to improve the operating efficiency of the vehicle and thus improve fuel economy. The modeled generator shows that 2.4kW energy are available from the engine exhaust. This research shows that the MHD energy conversion generator is suitable to maintain the battery charge. The high temperature exhaust gases experienced in the vehicle can improve vehicle emission energy conversion efficiency up to 19.5%. This project of applying MHD power generation technology into conversion the energy of exhaust gases is a new conception in the aspect of energy conversion. It not only can extend a new application field of MHD power generation technology, but also put forward a new method of solving automobile emission.