Performance Assessment of Using Thermoelectric Generators for Waste Heat Recovery from Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems

Alaa Attar, Mohamed Rady, Abdullah Abuhabaya, Faisal Albatati, Abdelkarim Hegab and Eydhah Almatrafi
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Alaa Attar: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Rady: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Abuhabaya: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Faisal Albatati: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Abdelkarim Hegab: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Eydhah Almatrafi: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: This article reports on an experimental analysis and performance assessment of using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for waste heat recovery from residential vapor compression refrigeration systems. The analysis shows that there is a good opportunity for waste heat recovery using TEGs by de-superheating refrigerant after the compressor. Design and manufacturing of a de-superheater unit consisting of a tube and plate heat exchanger and thermoelectric generator modules (HE-TEGs) have been performed and integrated in an experimental test rig of R134a refrigeration cycle. Experimental assessment of the performance parameters, as compared to the basic refrigeration system, reveals that the overall coefficient of performance (COP) using HE-TEGs desuperheater unit increases by values ranging from 17% to 32% depending on the condenser and evaporator loads. Exergy analysis shows that the enhancement is attributed to reduction in the exergy destruction in the condenser and compressor due to lower values of condenser pressure and pressure ratio of the compressor. The output power of the HE-TEGs unit is found to be sufficient for driving the TEGs heat sinks air cooling fan, thus providing a passive de-superheating system without an additional external source of electricity. Further enhancement of the refrigeration cycle performance can be achieved by installation of additional HE-TEGs units.

Keywords: thermoelectric generators; waste heat recovery; vapor compression; refrigeration; de-superheating; performance assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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