Numerical study on effect of operating pressures on CRKEC-based two-stage ejector

Abstract

The two-stage ejector mixing-diffuser section in this study was computed using the Redlich-Kwong equation of state. The ejector was designed based on the constant rate of kinetic energy change (CRKEC) approach. The water vapor mixing diffuser profile and flow properties were calculated using a one-dimensional gas dynamic model. For the numerical investigation, the estimated geometrical profile based on the input design and operating conditions was utilized. ANSYS-Fluent 14.0 was em-ployed for the numerical study. The analysis was conducted under both on-design and off-design scenarios using the standard k-ε turbulence model. The impact of operating factors on flow behavior and entrainment ratios was investigated at off-design conditions. The findings demonstrated that the operational total pressures of the primary, secondary, and exit flows are a function of the two-stage ejector (TSE) entrainment ratio. With a higher exit pressure and more secondary/entrained flows, the entrain-ment ratio increases. However, altering the primary flow pressure in ways other than for the design conditions reduces the entrainment ratio.