The impact of the overall system in combustion engine cars needs to be examined with regard to the exhaust energy recovery systems developed at the Institute of Vehicle Concepts during experimental research on such systems. The Institute of Vehicle Concepts has a complex test bench for experimental simulation for all relevant system components.
The hot gas test bench is used to test and survey heat exchangers, especially fittings for exhaust gas heat recovery. The impact of relevant vehicle components, such as the vehicle electrical system and cooling system can be simulated and examined on this test bench. Actuation of the components and data collection are fully automated. This allows complex cycles to be reconstructed and prototype exhaust gas heat recovery installations such as thermoelectric generators to be surveyed and tested.
Another test bench is used to determine thermal characteristics of individual components in the exhaust gas heat recovery systems. Thermal contact resistances can be measured at different contact pressures and temperatures, for example. A vacuum or shielding gas atmosphere can be created if test items need to be protected from the atmosphere.
