A full operating conditions ejector model for refrigeration systems driven by low-grade heat sources

Abstract

The ejector refrigeration technology driven by low-grade heat sources constitutes as one of the crucial means to solve the energy shortage in present-day society and to reduce the global environmental pollution. Thermodynamics ejector models are the basis of performance prediction, system control and structural design in ejector refrigeration systems driven by low-grade heat sources. However, the majority of present ejector models are unable to simultaneously meet the general feasibility of full operating conditions and the level of prediction accuracy for improving the energy efficiency of the refrigeration system. In this study, a novel theoretical model of ejectors is successfully derived based on the foundation of compound-choking theory and gas dynamic relations, which easily predicts the entrainment performance under the on-design and off-design conditions in ejector refrigeration systems. Indeed, a direct solution algorithm is presented to quickly and accurately solve this model and a linear correlation is employed between the mixing loss coefficient and the back pressure at the subcritical mode. The developed model is verified with experimental results in R245fa, R134a and R600a ejector refrigeration system. The results show that the model provides a precise estimation of the entrainment performance with the mean relative errors of 2.45 %, 5.49 % and 3.67 % for R245fa, R134a and R600a refrigerants at full working conditions, while the prediction of critical condensing temperatures is considerably approximated by the experimental measurements. In the comparative analysis with the previous model, this model demonstrates a superior prediction performance, especially in the subcritical mode using the linear function mixing loss coefficient. This study will be a valuable aid in the improvement of energy efficiency in ejector refrigeration systems.