Performance investigation of solar ejector cooling system: Case study area-Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of a solar ejector cooling system under both on-design and off-design operating conditions, focusing on the case study area of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data crucial to the analysis were gathered from the Ethiopian National Meteorology Agency (ENMA) over six consecutive years (2013-2018). The system's performance was evaluated through hourly and monthly analyses under on-design conditions, yielding promising results. Under on-design conditions, the system demonstrated favorable performance metrics. Specifically, at noontime in March, when the design points were set at Tg = 90°C, Tc = 30°C, and Te= 12°C, the system achieved a total hourly maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.2049 and a cooling capacity of 186.9 W/m². Furthermore, the study determined that a collector area of 22.3 m² per ton of cooling capacity is required during noontime for all cooling seasons in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, an off-design operating condition map was developed for the system. The findings indicate that the solar ejector cooling system can effectively provide cooling during office hours (8:00-15:00) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.