Experimental validation of a prototype ejector designed to reduce throttling losses encountered in transcritical R744 system operation

This study presents experimental results obtained from a transcritical R744 system using a refrigerant ejector. The results were compared to that of a conventional system with an expansion valve. For the test conditions considered, the cooling capacity and COP simultaneously improved by up to 8% and 7%, respectively. Experiments were analyzed to quantitatively assess the effects on system performance as a result of changes in basic ejector dimensions such as motive nozzle and diffuser sizing. Small angles of 5° yielded best results for the static pressure recovery of the high-speed two-phase flow entering the diffuser. Experiments confirmed that like in a conventional transcritical R744 system with expansion valve, the high-side pressure control integrated into the ejector could be used to maximize the system performance. Numerical simulation results helped identifying this basic trend. Due to difficulties in the ejector throat pressure measurements, a more practical performance metric was introduced in order to quantify overall ejector efficiencies. According to this definition, the prototype ejector was able to recover up to 14.5% of the throttling losses.     

Thermodynamic analyses on an ejector enhanced CO2 transcritical heat pump cycle with vapor-injection

In this paper, an ejector enhanced vapor injection CO₂ transcritical heat pump cycle with sub-cooler (ESCVI) for heating application in cold regions is proposed. The thermodynamic analysis using energetic and exegetic methods is carried out to predict the performance characteristics of the ejector enhanced cycle, and then compared with those of the conventional vapor injection heat pump cycle with sub-cooler (SCVI). The simulation results demonstrate that the ejector enhanced cycle exhibits better performance than the conventional vapor injection cycle under the specified operating conditions. The improvements of the maximum system COP and volumetric heating capacity could reach up to 7.7% and 9.5%, respectively. Exergetic analysis indicates that the largest exergy destruction ratio is generated at the compressor followed by the evaporator and gas cooler. Additionally, the exergy efficiency of the ejector is introduced to quantify the effectiveness of the exergy recovery process, which may be a new criterion to evaluate the performance of the ejector enhanced vapor compression cycle.     

Ejector expansion refrigeration system: Ejector design and performance evaluation

Use of a two-phase flow ejector as an expansion device in vapor compression refrigeration systems is one of the efficient ways to enhance its performance. The present work aims to design a constant-area two phase flow ejector and to evaluate performance characteristics of the ejector expansion refrigeration system working with R134a. In order to achieve these objectives, a simulation program is developed and effects of operating conditions and ejector internal efficiencies on the system performance are investigated using EES software. Comparison between present results and published experimental data revealed that the developed model can predict the system COP with a maximum error of 2.3%. The system COP increased by 87.5% as evaporation temperature changed from −10 °C to 10 °C. Finally, correlations to size ejector main diameters as a function of operating conditions, system cooling capacity and ejector internal efficiencies are reported.     

Mathematical modeling and thermodynamic investigation of the use of two-phase ejectors for work recovery and liquid recirculation in refrigeration cycles

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation on the performance of ejector cycles in which the work recovered is used to recirculate liquid through the evaporator. The ejector recirculation cycle, in which the ejector is only used to recirculate liquid and improve evaporator performance, and the standard ejector cycle, in which the ejector can be used to both recirculate liquid and directly unload the compressor, are investigated. The analysis uses a microchannel evaporator and refrigerants R134a, R410A, and CO₂. It is seen that fluids that have large throttling loss but gain little benefit from liquid recirculation (CO₂) should use the ejector to directly unload the compressor, while fluids that have lower throttling loss but gain significant benefit from liquid recirculation (R134a) should use the ejector to improve evaporator performance through liquid recirculation. It is also seen that the ejector recirculation cycle is better suited for ejector off-design operation.     

两级蒸发对跨临界CO_2引射制冷系统影响的实验研究

两级蒸发引射制冷循环中通过二级蒸发器不仅能调节引射器出口干度还能提高系统效率。通过改变第二蒸发器冷冻水流量对两级蒸发引射制冷系统进行实验研究,并与改变引射器面积比的调控效果进行比较。结果表明:在实验工况范围内,气冷器压力、第一蒸发器压力和压缩机流量都随第二蒸发器冷冻水流量的增加而增大;而且引射器面积比越大,气冷器压力越高而蒸发器压力和压缩机流量越低。同时,系统引射系数随第二蒸发器冷冻水流量的增加而降低,而制冷量和COP则升高,尤其是在小引射系数下,系统制冷量和COP提高的更为明显。本研究为引射循环提供了另外一种良好的调控思路。     

New approach to improve performance by venting periodic reverse vapor flow in microchannel evaporator

This paper presents a proposal for a venting reverse vapor in flash gas removal A/C system in order to improve refrigerant distribution and reduce pressure drop in microchannel evaporator and thus increase system efficiency. Introduction to the reverse vapor flow observed in parallel flow microchannel evaporator was presented in earlier IJR paper by the authors. An experimental comparison of the A/C system with new approach to an FGB system revealed that vapor venting provided a 5% increase of cooling capacity and 3% of COP when operated at identical test conditions, while the maximum COP improvement was approximately 10%–12% when capacity is matched by reduction of compressor speed. The improvement compared to direct expansion system was significantly higher.     

Theoretical energy performance evaluation of different single stage vapour compression refrigeration configurations using R1234yf and R1234ze(E) as working fluids

R1234yf and R1234ze(E) have been proposed as alternatives for R134a in order to work with low GWP refrigerants, but this replacement results generally in a decrease of the performance. For this reason, it is interesting to explore ways to improve the system performance using these refrigerants. In this paper, a comparative study in terms of energy performance of different single stage vapour compression configurations using R1234yf and R1234ze(E) as working fluids has been carried out. The most efficient configuration is the one which uses an expander or an ejector as expansion device. On the other hand, using an internal heat exchanger in a cycle which replaces the expansion valve by an expander or an ejector could produce a detrimental effect on the COP. However, for all the configurations the introduction of an internal heat exchanger produces a significant increment on the cooling capacity.     

Experimental evaluation of an ejector as liquid re-circulator in an overfeed NH3 system with a plate evaporator

This paper deals with the experimental performance evaluation of an ejector, linked to a manual expansion valve, working as a liquid re-circulator component in an overfeed NH₃ plate evaporator. The evaporator was tested in a single stage system belonging to a cascade refrigeration system prototype. The evaporator is an ALFANOVA HP76 plate heat exchanger with 50 plates. A Phillips ejector with a 1/2″ diameter throat and 1.4 mm diameter nozzle was used. The recirculation rate was experimentally determined for different operating conditions. Experimental data are reported for volumetric flow rate at the manual expansion valve inlet from 0.8 to 1.6 l min⁻¹, evaporating pressure from 0.14 to 0.22 MPa and condensing pressure from 0.85 to 1 MPa. The experimental result showed recirculation rates between 2 and 4. The evaporating capacity varied from 9.48 kW to 18.37 kW. In addition, another two nozzles were tested and the results are also presented and discussed.     

Experimental evaluation of an ejector as liquid re-circulator in a falling-film water chiller

To experimentally evaluate the performance of an ejector working as a liquid re-circulator in a horizontal-tube falling-film evaporator with R134a, experimental tests are performed using a horizontal-tube falling-film water chiller prototype. Experimental observations on intertube liquid flow pattern of tube bundle validate the feasibility of the liquid re-circulation system using a liquid–liquid ejector. The analysis results show that the influence of the motive flow rate on the entrainment ratio of the ejector is small, and the average entrainment ratio of the ejector is about 2.03. With the increase of the valve opening of the regulating valve, the evaporating capacity of the falling-film water chiller rises 4.8%, from 940.2 kW with the re-circulation ratio of one, to 985.5 kW with the re-circulation ratio of 1.135. The COP of the falling-film water chiller reaches a maximum and then drops down with the increase of the re-circulation ratio, and the optimal re-circulation ratio is 1.135.     

Experimental results with a variable geometry ejector using R600a as working fluid

Experimental results with the first laboratory scale variable geometry ejector (VGE) using isobutane (R600a) are presented. Two geometrical factors, the area ratio and the nozzle exit position, can be actively controlled. The control of the area ratio is achieved by a movable spindle installed in the primary nozzle. The influence of the spindle position (SP) and condenser pressure on ejector performance are studied. The results indicate very good ejector performance for a generator and evaporator temperature of 83 °C and 9 °C, respectively. COP varied between 0.4 and 0.8, depending on operating conditions. The existence of an optimal SP, depending on the back pressure, is identified. A comparison of the benefit of applying the variable geometry design over a fixed geometry configuration is assessed. For example, for a condenser pressure of 3 bar, an 80% increase in the COP was obtained when compared to the performance of a fixed geometry ejector.     

Experimental investigation on the performance of the refrigeration cycle using a two-phase ejector as an expansion device

In the present study, new experimental data on the performance of a never before seen two-phase ejector refrigeration cycle (TPERC) is presented. In this cycle, a two-phase ejector is used as an expansion device. The TPERC enables the evaporator to operate as in a liquid-recirculation system. The results are compared with those of the conventional refrigeration cycle (CRC). The effects of external parameters, i.e., heat sink and heat source temperatures on the system performance are discussed. The results show that the coefficient of performance of the TPERC is higher than that of the CRC over the whole range of experimental conditions. This is due to a higher refrigerant-side heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator, resulting from the higher refrigerant mass flow rate passing through the evaporator. However, the increase becomes relatively smaller as the heat sink temperature increases.     

Thermal and exergoeconomic analysis of a novel solar driven combined power and ejector refrigeration (CPER) system

In the present study, a novel solar driven combined power and ejector refrigeration system (CPER) of 50 kW power capacity composed of an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) and an ejector refrigeration system is investigated. Solar driven CPER system is composed of two main cycles: collector cycle and refrigeration cycle. The collector cycle is made of a U-tube ETC and circulation pump and the ejector refrigeration cycle consists of generator, turbine, ejector, heat exchanger, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and pump. Thermodynamic performance of the proposed CPER system is evaluated and a thermo-economic analysis is conducted using the SPECO (specific exergy costing) method. A parametric study showed the effects of condenser temperature, evaporator temperature, generator pressure, turbine back pressure and turbine extraction ratio. The genetic algorithm optimization analysis is conducted which shows 25.5% improvement in thermal energy, 21.27% in exergy efficiency, and 7.76% reduction in the total cost of the CPER system. The results reveal that the performance of the CPER system is considerably improved at higher temperatures of generator and evaporator.     

An alternative analysis applied to investigate the ejector performance used in R141b jet-pump refrigeration system

The system performance of R141b jet-pump refrigerator is discussed based on an alternative analysis. It explains the operation of the jet-pump refrigerator operating under actual conditions. A 2 kW cooling of R141b jet-pump refrigerator is designed and constructed to test the ejector performance. With the use of an alternative analysis, point of interest called “critical evaporator temperature” is determined. This point indicates the lowest possible evaporator temperature where the secondary fluid flow is still choked. The critical point varies with the change in operating conditions and with the primary nozzle used. An increase of primary mass flow rate causes the critical point reducing. However, it does not always true. When the primary mass flow rate increases to a certain value, the refrigerator is operated at higher critical evaporator temperature. Thus, the optimum range of the primary mass flow rate for this particular ejector is provided for this present work.     

Hybrid vapor compression refrigeration system with an integrated ejector cooling cycle

A refrigeration system was developed which combines a basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle with an ejector cooling cycle. The ejector cooling cycle is driven by the waste heat from the condenser in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The additional cooling capacity from the ejector cycle is directly input into the evaporator of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The governing equations are derived based on energy and mass conservation in each component including the compressor, ejector, generator, booster and heat exchangers. The system performance is first analyzed for the on-design conditions. The results show that the COP is improved by 9.1% for R22 system. The system is then compared with a basic refrigeration system for variations of five important variables. The system analysis shows that this refrigeration system can effectively improve the COP by the ejector cycle with the refrigerant which has high compressor discharge temperature.     

Enhanced ejector refrigeration cycles powered by low grade heat. Part 2. Design procedures

In Part 1 of this work, the conventional and compression enhanced ejector refrigeration cycles were discussed from a thermodynamic and conceptual point of view. This paper describes the development of procedures which will enable system design, optimization and control of operation. Special attention is given to the ejector design and the recommended modification of conventional system components such as the evaporator and generator. A multi-ejector system is introduced in order to expand the range in which the system may operate efficiently.     

Flash gas bypass for improving the performance of transcritical R744 systems that use microchannel evaporators

The performance of transcritical R744 systems with direct expansion (DX) can be significantly improved by implementing a Flash Gas Bypass (FGB). The idea behind the concept is to bypass refrigerant vapor, created during the isenthalpic expansion process, around the evaporator. By feeding the evaporator with liquid refrigerant, pressure drop is reduced and refrigerant distribution is improved. With R744 as the working fluid, increased refrigerant-side heat transfer coefficients are expected as well. In addition, the FGB concept proves to be beneficial in terms of system design, in particular for combined air-conditioning and heat pumping applications. An experimental comparison to a conventional DX-system reveals that FGB increases the cooling capacity and COP at the same time by up to 9 and 7%, respectively. Even larger improvements are possible in case a variable speed compressor is utilized to match the performance of the conventional DX-system. A simulation model helps to separate the individual improvement mechanisms. It was found that the reduction of refrigerant-side pressure drop is the dominant improvement mechanism of FGB.     

电动汽车电池冷却系统对空调系统性能的影响

为了更好地匹配电动汽车空调系统和电池冷却系统,减少其对乘员舱舒适性和整车续航里程的影响,搭建电动汽车空调系统和电池冷却系统测试台架,试验分析电池冷却系统参数对空调系统性能的影响,确定匹配的电池冷却器容量、电子膨胀阀容量和冷却液流量。结果表明:电池冷却器容量从3 kW减小为2 kW时,蒸发器换热量增加30%,蒸发器出口空气温度降低6.6℃;电子膨胀阀容量从1.0 Rt减小为0.5 Rt时,蒸发器换热量增加5%,蒸发器出口空气温度降低1.0℃;冷却液流量从7.5 L/min减少为3.5 L/min,蒸发器换热量加8%,蒸发器出口空气温度降低1.8℃。     

Experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of shock wave characteristics on the ejector performance

The entrainment performance and the shock wave structures in a three-dimensional ejector were investigated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Schlieren flow visualization. The ejector performance was evaluated based on the mass flow rates of the primary and secondary flows. The shock wave structures in the ejector mixing chamber were captured by the optical Schlieren measurements. The results show that the expansion waves in the shock train do not reach the mixing chamber wall when the ejector is working at the sub-critical mode. Decreasing of the shock wave wavelength increases the secondary mass flow rate. A three-dimensional CFD model with four turbulence models was then compared with the experimental data. The results show that the RNG k-ε model agrees best with measurements for predictions of both the mass flow rate and shock wave structures.     

双分层水箱太阳能喷射制冷循环特性

本文提出一种采用双分层水箱的太阳能喷射制冷循环,分层水箱热分层显著,颇具可用能储存优势,结合大小水箱各自的优势弥补因太阳日辐射量波动而导致太阳能利用率不高、太阳能驱动的喷射制冷效率较低等问题。采用逐时冷负荷分析法分析了双分层水箱太阳能喷射制冷系统特性,结果表明:该制冷循环高品位能耗约为普通机械压缩制冷循环的1/5,较传统水箱太阳能喷射制冷循环全天工作时间约多4 h,日产冷量提高36.8%,且分层水箱喷射制冷系统的逐时制冷量与办公室逐时冷负荷更吻合。     

A one-dimensional model of a jet-ejector in critical double choking operation with R134a as a refrigerant including real gas effects

The geometrical simplicity of a jet-ejector is in stark contrast to the complexity of the flow phenomena occurring in ejector operation. The available flow models range from empirical models to models based on computational fluid dynamics, differing considerably in complexity and thus explanatory power. The one-dimensional flow models of semi-empirical nature are based on experiments at comparatively low motive pressures and thus on ideal gas equations. In contrast, a one-dimensional, experimentally validated model of a jet-ejector in critical double choking operation which includes real gas effects and relies on a single physically interpretable loss coefficient is introduced in the present paper. Real gas effects impact on the state quantities and the critical mass flow of the expansion in the supersonic nozzle in particular which should be considered in the determination of the entrainment ratio or the absolute motive and suction mass flows of the ejector and in ejector design.