exchangers. One heat exchanger gathers heat
from the exhaust gases, which is then channelled
by the hot- side exchanger to the active
thermoelectric material. The heat flows through
the thermoelectric material and is then collected
by the second heat exchanger and dissipated.
The thermoelectric effect allows part of the heat
flow to be converted into electrical energy.
conjunction with TitanX and Ricardo before being
submitted to a practical test. In this test, the
generator will be placed on a hot gas test bench
that simulates the exhaust system of a truck.
Maintaining a high level of quality throughout
production is a major challenge in half-Heusler
compound production. The aim of the system
is to smelt 20kg of high-quality half-Heusler
material. The smelted blocks are then cut
into slabs, known as wafers, and then into
components measuring just a few millimetres in
width. In terms of quality, the aim is to achieve
a yield rate of at least 95%. These half-Heusler
components are installed in the generator by
TitanX.
Research has massive potential
This area of research offers a huge amount of
potential, with the automotive industry, power
plants, heating system manufacturers and
consumers alike able to benefit greatly from this
form of energy recovery. After all, some 50% of all
energy generated worldwide is lost in the form
of heat. In vehicles, this figure is closer to 70%.
So far there has been no series-ready technology
providing a way to use this energy.
By launching the production system in 2017 and
unveiling subsequent process developments by
the end of the project in 2019, Isabellenhütte
intends to prove that the industrial production
and application of half-Heusler functional
materials is possible and a commercially and
ecologically worthwhile undertaking.
The half-Heusler compound used in this process
is extremely efficient. It is capable of converting
5% to 7% of the channelled heat flow into
electrical energy. Half-Heusler compounds are
also much more stable than alternative materials
such as silicides and Skutteridites. They combine
high mechanical durability with excellent
thermal and chemical resistance.
Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co. KG#
Eibacher Weg 3 – 5
D-35683 Dillenburg
Dipl.-Ing. Daniel Zuckermann
Assistant Manager R&D Alloys
Pilot production set up
Tel.: +49 (0)2771 / 934-300
Mobile: + 49 (0)170 / 779 0830
Isabellenhütte intends to establish pilot
production at its Dillenburg site in 2017, which
should be able to produce large amounts
of half-Heusler compounds in an industrial
environment. Following production, the material
is to be installed in a generator developed in
[email protected]
13
WN JUNE 2017