Use of variable geometry ejector with cold store to achieve high solar fraction for solar cooling

Abstract

Concerns over environmental impact of heat pump cooling systems have led to a revival of solar ejector cooling systems. In order to achieve high solar fractions, the common approach is to increase the solar collector area. However, this is costly and does not provide cooling after sunset. This paper uses software modelling to examine the use of variable geometry ejectors and cold stores to increase the annual yield of an ejector system. The study concludes that a variable geometry ejector is able to increase yield by 8–13% compared to a fixed geometry ejector. However, a 46–50% increase in solar fraction is available if a 60 MJ cold store is included compared to a fixed geometry ejector without storage and up to 63% increase in solar fraction is available if a variable geometry ejector and 60 MJ cold store is used. Alternatively, the modelling shows how the solar collector area may be decreased if a cold store is used and this may benefit the capital and operating cost of the system.