Numerical assessment of ejector operation for refrigeration applications based on CFD

This paper represents numerical results of a supersonic ejector for refrigeration applications. The working fluid used for this study is R142b for which some 1-D simulation data is available in the literature for comparison purposes. One of the interesting features is that the current model is based on the NIST-REFPROP database for refrigerants properties calculations. To the authors'knowledge, it is the first paper dealing with local CFD modeling that takes into account shock–boundary layer interactions in a real refrigerant. The numerical results obtained, contribute to understanding the local structure of the flow and demonstrate the crucial role of the secondary nozzle for the mixing rate performance. In addition, these results point out to the need for an extensive validation of the turbulence model, especially in the modeling of the off-design mode.

[1]  Saffa Riffat,et al.  Computational fluid dynamics applied to ejector heat pumps , 1996 .

[2]  Morton Alperin,et al.  Thrust augmenting ejectors, II , 1983 .

[3]  M Ouzzane,et al.  Model development and numerical procedure for detailed ejector analysis and design , 2003 .

[4]  Falin Chen,et al.  Supersonic flow in the second-throat ejector-diffuser system , 1994 .

[5]  Saffa Riffat,et al.  CFD modelling and experimental investigation of an ejector refrigeration system using methanol as the working fluid , 2001 .

[6]  Yoshiaki Miyazato,et al.  Shock train and pseudo-shock phenomena in internal gas flows , 1999 .

[7]  Morton Alperin,et al.  Thrust Augmenting Ejectors, Part I , 1983 .

[8]  S. Klein,et al.  NIST Standard Reference Database 23: NIST Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures-REFPROP, Version 6.0 | NIST , 1998 .

[9]  Yann Bartosiewicz,et al.  Numerical and Experimental Investigations on Supersonic Ejectors , 2005 .

[10]  David F. Bagster,et al.  A New Ejector Theory Applied to Steam Jet Refrigeration , 1977 .

[11]  Bin-Juine Huang,et al.  A 1-D analysis of ejector performance , 1999 .

[12]  Saffa Riffat,et al.  Experimental and CFD modelling of an ejector system for vehicle air conditioning , 1999 .

[13]  Da-Wen Sun,et al.  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DESIGN THEORIES AND APPLICATIONS OF EJECTORS - A REVIEW , 1995 .

[14]  J. J. Wang,et al.  On the start condition of a second-throat ejector-diffuser , 1996, The Aeronautical Journal (1968).

[15]  J. Keenan,et al.  An Investigation of Ejector Design by Analysis and Experiment , 1950 .

[16]  A. Selvaraju,et al.  Analysis of an ejector with environment friendly refrigerants , 2004 .

[17]  P. Roe CHARACTERISTIC-BASED SCHEMES FOR THE EULER EQUATIONS , 1986 .

[18]  P. Desevaux,et al.  Numerical and Experimental Flow Visualizations of the Mixing Process Inside an Induced Air Ejector , 2002 .

[19]  Yann Bartosiewicz,et al.  Numerical Investigations on Dynamics and Heat Transfer in a Turbulent Underexpanded Jet , 2002 .