Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation

Interest in capturing waste heat, especially from exhaust gasses, has increased due to the growing need for energy efficiency. By immediately transforming temperature differentials into electrical power, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) provide a sustainable option. In order to maximize TEG-based po...

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Main Authors: Rassol Hamed Rasheed, Ahmed Mohsin Alsayah, Mohammed J. Alshukri, Chadi Nohra, Jalal Faraj, Samer Ali, Mahmoud Khaled
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025016044
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author Rassol Hamed Rasheed
Ahmed Mohsin Alsayah
Mohammed J. Alshukri
Chadi Nohra
Jalal Faraj
Samer Ali
Mahmoud Khaled
author_facet Rassol Hamed Rasheed
Ahmed Mohsin Alsayah
Mohammed J. Alshukri
Chadi Nohra
Jalal Faraj
Samer Ali
Mahmoud Khaled
author_sort Rassol Hamed Rasheed
collection DOAJ
description Interest in capturing waste heat, especially from exhaust gasses, has increased due to the growing need for energy efficiency. By immediately transforming temperature differentials into electrical power, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) provide a sustainable option. In order to maximize TEG-based power generation, this work suggests and evaluates a novel hybrid system that integrates airflow from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) condensers with waste heat from exhaust gases. In order to increase power production, the design carefully combines exhaust heat and condenser airflow, taking advantage of their combined temperature gradients. To evaluate system performance under various situations, such as exhaust mass flow rate, exhaust temperature, and the thickness-to-thermal-conductivity ratio (t/k) of the TEG, a thorough thermal model was created. The temperature difference and power output of the TEGs are greatly enhanced by raising the t/k ratio and exhaust gas mass flow rate, according to parametric analyses. Notably, the system produces 194 W and a temperature differential of 41.5 °C at a t/k of 0.002 m²•K/W and an exhaust flow rate of 0.40 kg/s. In optimal circumstances, the system produces 3507 W with a temperature differential of 216.5 °C (0.40 kg/s, t/k = 0.01 m²•K/W). These results highlight how hybrid TEG systems can improve the efficiency of current systems and promote sustainable energy recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-784cbc84f8714dc6ad239c70eff37ba02025-08-20T03:07:50ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-06-012610553410.1016/j.rineng.2025.105534Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generationRassol Hamed Rasheed0Ahmed Mohsin Alsayah1Mohammed J. Alshukri2Chadi Nohra3Jalal Faraj4Samer Ali5Mahmoud Khaled6Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Techniques Department, College of Engineering, University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, IraqRefrigeration and Air-conditioning Department, Technical Engineering College, The Islamic University, Najaf, IraqRefrigeration and Air-conditioning Department, Technical Engineering College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kufa University, 54002, Najaf, IraqBeirut Arab University, BAU, LebanonEnergy and Thermo-Fluid Group, Lebanese International University LIU, Bekaa, Lebanon; Energy and Thermo-Fluid Group, The International University of Beirut BIU, Beirut, LebanonUniv. Lille, Institut Mines-Télécom, Univ. Artois, Junia, ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, FranceEnergy and Thermo-Fluid Group, Lebanese International University LIU, Bekaa, Lebanon; GUST Center for Sustainable Development, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait; Corresponding author at: Energy and Thermo-Fluid Group, Lebanese International University LIU, Bekaa, Lebanon.Interest in capturing waste heat, especially from exhaust gasses, has increased due to the growing need for energy efficiency. By immediately transforming temperature differentials into electrical power, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) provide a sustainable option. In order to maximize TEG-based power generation, this work suggests and evaluates a novel hybrid system that integrates airflow from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) condensers with waste heat from exhaust gases. In order to increase power production, the design carefully combines exhaust heat and condenser airflow, taking advantage of their combined temperature gradients. To evaluate system performance under various situations, such as exhaust mass flow rate, exhaust temperature, and the thickness-to-thermal-conductivity ratio (t/k) of the TEG, a thorough thermal model was created. The temperature difference and power output of the TEGs are greatly enhanced by raising the t/k ratio and exhaust gas mass flow rate, according to parametric analyses. Notably, the system produces 194 W and a temperature differential of 41.5 °C at a t/k of 0.002 m²•K/W and an exhaust flow rate of 0.40 kg/s. In optimal circumstances, the system produces 3507 W with a temperature differential of 216.5 °C (0.40 kg/s, t/k = 0.01 m²•K/W). These results highlight how hybrid TEG systems can improve the efficiency of current systems and promote sustainable energy recovery.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025016044Thermoelectric generatorsWaste heat recoveryHVAC condenser integrationExhaust gas heat utilizationHybrid energy systemsSustainable power generation
spellingShingle Rassol Hamed Rasheed
Ahmed Mohsin Alsayah
Mohammed J. Alshukri
Chadi Nohra
Jalal Faraj
Samer Ali
Mahmoud Khaled
Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
Results in Engineering
Thermoelectric generators
Waste heat recovery
HVAC condenser integration
Exhaust gas heat utilization
Hybrid energy systems
Sustainable power generation
title Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
title_full Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
title_fullStr Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
title_full_unstemmed Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
title_short Integrating HVAC condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
title_sort integrating hvac condenser airflow and exhaust gas heat for enhanced thermoelectric power generation
topic Thermoelectric generators
Waste heat recovery
HVAC condenser integration
Exhaust gas heat utilization
Hybrid energy systems
Sustainable power generation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025016044
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