Abstract: A method and system for preheating one or more auxiliary components of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine or other means for producing hot exhaust gases. The method and system use waste thermal energy extracted from engine exhaust gases produced when the engine is running. This thermal energy is stored in a special thermal storage material in the form of chemical potential by a direct dehydration/hydration process. The thermal energy is released during a cold start and used to warm ambient air, which may then be conveyed to one or more desired auxiliary components, such as the catalytic converter, the passenger cabin or the like.

Abstract: A preheater system especially useful for diesel engine cold starts stores waste heat extracted from the engine exhaust flow in the form of chemical potential in a thermal storage material such as lithium bromide. The energy is retrieved during a cold start by direct hydration of that material to preheat engine intake air.