skip to main content

Effect of generator temperature on steam ejector performance in renewable refrigeration cycle considering wet steam model and dry steam model

Guangxi Technological College of Machinery and Electricity, Nanning 530007, China

Received: 4 Nov 2023; Revised: 14 Feb 2024; Accepted: 13 Mar 2024; Available online: 20 Mar 2024; Published: 1 May 2024.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

The rise in global warming has led to an increased utilization of cooling systems. High energy consumption associated with common refrigeration cycles not only contributes to air pollution but also intensifies the consumption of fossil fuels. Consequently, the imperative to conserve energy has become paramount in today's world. One of the methods to decrease energy consumption involves employing systems capable of harnessing waste heat from industries, solar energy, and other sources. The ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) stands as an example of such systems. In present study, the impact of elevating the generator temperature on various aspects such as flow behavior in the ejector, aerodynamic shocks, entrainment ratio (ER), and entropy production was examined. The investigation encompassed both wet steam model (WSM) and dry steam model (DSM). Based on the findings, it was observed that with an increase in generator temperature, the ER decreases while the production entropy increases. In the WSM, the liquid mass fraction (LMF) also experiences an increase. Additionally, the Mach number distribution in the DSM surpasses that of the WSM and the temperature drop in the DSM is greater compared to the WSM. With the rise in generator temperature from 388 K to 418 K, both the DSM and WSM exhibit a decrease in ER by 52.9% and 58.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the production entropy experiences a substantial increase of 180% and 206% for the DSM and WSM, respectively.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Ejector refrigeration cycle; Steam Ejector; Generator temperature; Entrainment ratio; Entropy generation

Article Metrics:

  1. Abbady, K., Al-Mutawa, N., & Almutairi, A. (2023). The performance analysis of a variable geometry ejector utilizing CFD and artificial neural network. Energy Conversion and Management, 291, 117318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117318
  2. Alami, A. H., Alrashid, R., Mdallal, A., Yasin, A., Ayoub, M., Alasad, S., Aljaghoub, H., Alashkar, A., Abdelkareem, M. A., & Olabi, A. G. (2023). Expansion cooling prospects for large scale applications. International Journal of Thermofluids, 100437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100437
  3. Aliabadi, M. A. F., & Bahiraei, M. (2021). Effect of water nano-droplet injection on steam ejector performance based on non-equilibrium spontaneous condensation: A droplet number study. Applied Thermal Engineering, 184, 116236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116236
  4. Aliabadi, M. A. F., Jahangiri, A., Khazaee, I., & Lakzian, E. (2020). Investigating the effect of water nano-droplets injection into the convergent-divergent nozzle inlet on the wet steam flow using entropy generation analysis. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 149, 106181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2019.106181
  5. Aliabadi, M. A. F., Lakzian, E., Jahangiri, A., & Khazaei, I. (2020). Numerical investigation of effects polydispersed droplets on the erosion rate and condensation loss in the wet steam flow in the turbine blade cascade. Applied Thermal Engineering, 164, 114478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114478
  6. Aliabadi, M. A. F., Lakzian, E., Khazaei, I., & Jahangiri, A. (2020). A comprehensive investigation of finding the best location for hot steam injection into the wet steam turbine blade cascade. Energy, 190, 116397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116397
  7. Aliabadi, M. A. F., Zhang, G., Dykas, S., & Li, H. (2021). Control of two-phase heat transfer and condensation loss in turbine blade cascade by injection water droplets. Applied Thermal Engineering, 186, 116541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116541
  8. Banasiak, K., Palacz, M., Hafner, A., Buliński, Z., Smołka, J., Nowak, A. J., & Fic, A. (2014). A CFD-based investigation of the energy performance of two-phase R744 ejectors to recover the expansion work in refrigeration systems: An irreversibility analysis. International Journal of Refrigeration, 40, 328–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2013.12.002
  9. Besagni, G., & Inzoli, F. (2017). Computational fluid-dynamics modeling of supersonic ejectors: Screening of turbulence modeling approaches. Applied Thermal Engineering, 117, 122–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.02.011
  10. Bordbar, B., Khosravi, A., Abdollahi, F., Hashemifard, S. A., & Karagöz, S. (2023). An insight into environmental footprints of emerging air-conditioning systems towards sustainable cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 98, 104830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104830
  11. Chen, R., & Weng, G. (2023). Sustainable Energy Resources for Driving Methane Conversion. Advanced Energy Materials, 13(36), 2301734. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202301734
  12. Deng, J., Jiang, P., Lu, T., & Lu, W. (2007). Particular characteristics of transcritical CO2 refrigeration cycle with an ejector. Applied Thermal Engineering, 27(2–3), 381–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2006.07.016
  13. Dokandari, D. A., Hagh, A. S., & Mahmoudi, S. M. S. (2014). Thermodynamic investigation and optimization of novel ejector-expansion CO2/NH3 cascade refrigeration cycles (novel CO2/NH3 cycle). International Journal of Refrigeration, 46, 26–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2014.07.012
  14. Dolatabadi, A. M., Pour, M. S., Ajarostaghi, S. S. M., Poncet, S., & Hulme-Smith, C. (2023). Last stage stator blade profile improvement for a steam turbine under a non-equilibrium condensation condition: A CFD and cost-saving approach. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 73, 27–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2023.04.011
  15. Elsheniti, M. B., AlRabiah, A., Al-Ansary, H., Almutairi, Z., Orfi, J., & El-Leathy, A. (2023). Performance Assessment of an Ice-Production Hybrid Solar CPV/T System Combining Both Adsorption and Vapor-Compression Refrigeration Systems. Sustainability, 15(4), 3711. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043711
  16. Faghih Aliabadi, M. A., & Mahpeykar, M. R. (2017). Comparison between polydispersed and monodispersed models on condensing water-vapor flow in a supersonic convergent-divergent nozzle. Modares Mechanical Engineering, 17(3), 19–30. https://mme.modares.ac.ir/article-15-9609-en.html
  17. GFL Al-Doori. (2013). Investigation of refrigeration system steam ejector performance through experiments and computational simulations. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q1zv6/investigation-of-refrigeration-system-steam-ejector-performance-through-experiments-and-computational-simulations
  18. Haghparast, P., Sorin, M. V, & Nesreddine, H. (2018). The impact of internal ejector working characteristics and geometry on the performance of a refrigeration cycle. Energy, 162, 728–743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.08.017
  19. Hosseinizadeh, S. E., Ghamati, E., Jahangiri, A., Majidi, S., Khazaee, I., & Aliabadi, M. A. F. (2023). Reduction of water droplets effects in steam turbine blade using Multi-objective optimization of hot steam injection. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 187, 108155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2023.108155
  20. Hui, X., Ma, Y., & Deng, X. (2023). Numerical simulation on effects of augmentation in temperature of inlet steam on wet steam flow in supersonic nozzle: energy and exergy analysis. Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-023-00164-x
  21. Jahangiri, A., Aliabadi, M. A. F., Pourranjbar, D., Mottahedi, H. R., Gharebaei, H., & Ghamati, E. (2023). A comprehensive investigation of non-condensable gas and condenser temperature effects on power plant ejector performance by considering condensation flow regime. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 45, 102128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2023.102128
  22. Kulkarni, S., Chavali, S., & Dikshit, S. (2023). A review on analysis of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS) for its performance using different ecofriendly refrigerants and nanofluids. Materials Today: Proceedings, 72, 878–883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.085
  23. Lee, T.-S., Liu, C.-H., & Chen, T.-W. (2006). Thermodynamic analysis of optimal condensing temperature of cascade-condenser in CO2/NH3 cascade refrigeration systems. International Journal of Refrigeration, 29(7), 1100–1108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2006.03.003
  24. Liang, Y., Ye, K., Zhu, Y., & Lu, J. (2023). Thermodynamic analysis of two-stage and dual-temperature ejector refrigeration cycles driven by the waste heat of exhaust gas. Energy, 278, 127862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.127862
  25. Ma, D., Sun, Y., Ma, S., Li, G., Zhou, Z., & Ma, H. (2024). Study on the working medium of high temperature heat pump suitable for industrial waste heat recovery. Applied Thermal Engineering, 236, 121642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.121642
  26. Marenco-Porto, C. A., Fierro, J. J., Nieto-Londoño, C., Lopera, L., Escudero-Atehortua, A., Giraldo, M., & Jouhara, H. (2023). Potential savings in the cement industry using waste heat recovery technologies. Energy, 127810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.127810
  27. Mazzelli, F., Giacomelli, F., & Milazzo, A. (2018). CFD modeling of condensing steam ejectors: Comparison with an experimental test-case. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 127, 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.01.012
  28. Mazzelli, F., Little, A. B., Garimella, S., & Bartosiewicz, Y. (2015). Computational and experimental analysis of supersonic air ejector: Turbulence modeling and assessment of 3D effects. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 56, 305–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2015.08.003
  29. Mungyeko Bisulandu, B.-J. R., Mansouri, R., & Ilinca, A. (2023). Diffusion absorption refrigeration systems: An overview of thermal mechanisms and models. Energies, 16(9), 3610. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093610
  30. Prabakaran, R., Lal, D. M., & Kim, S. C. (2023). A state of art review on future low global warming potential refrigerants and performance augmentation methods for vapour compression based mobile air conditioning system. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 148(2), 417–449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11485-3
  31. Sarkar, J., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2010). Thermodynamic analyses and optimization of a transcritical N2O refrigeration cycle. International Journal of Refrigeration, 33(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2009.09.012
  32. Sharif, M. Z., Azmi, W. H., Ghazali, M. F., Samykano, M., & Ali, H. M. (2023). Performance improvement strategies of R1234yf in vapor compression refrigeration system as a R134a replacement: A review. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 105032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2023.105032
  33. Sierra-Pallares, J., Del Valle, J. G., Carrascal, P. G., & Ruiz, F. C. (2016). A computational study about the types of entropy generation in three different R134a ejector mixing chambers. International Journal of Refrigeration, 63, 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2015.11.007
  34. Talebi Somesaraee, M., Amiri Rad, E., & Mahpeykar, M. R. (2018). Analytical investigation of simultaneous effects of convergent section heating of Laval nozzle, steam inlet condition, and nozzle geometry on condensation shock. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 133, 1023–1039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7126-x
  35. Tang, Y., Liu, Z., Li, Y., Wu, H., Zhang, X., & Yang, N. (2019). Visualization experimental study of the condensing flow regime in the transonic mixing process of desalination-oriented steam ejector. Energy Conversion and Management, 197, 111849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.111849
  36. Wang, C., & Wang, L. (2022). Investigation of Fluid Characteristic and Performance of an Ejector by a Wet Steam Model. Entropy, 25(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/e25010085
  37. Wen, C., Ding, H., & Yang, Y. (2020). Performance of steam ejector with nonequilibrium condensation for multi-effect distillation with thermal vapour compression (MED-TVC) seawater desalination system. Desalination, 489, 114531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2020.114531
  38. Wróblewski, W., Dykas, S., & Gepert, A. (2009). Steam condensing flow modeling in turbine channels. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 35(6), 498–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2009.02.020
  39. Yang, Y., Zhu, X., Yan, Y., Ding, H., & Wen, C. (2019). Performance of supersonic steam ejectors considering the nonequilibrium condensation phenomenon for efficient energy utilisation. Applied Energy, 242, 157–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.023
  40. Yari, M., & Mahmoudi, S. M. S. (2011). Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of novel ejector-expansion TRCC (transcritical CO2) cascade refrigeration cycles (Novel transcritical CO2 cycle). Energy, 36(12), 6839–6850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.10.012
  41. Yıldız, G., Gürel, A. E., Ceylan, İ., Ergün, A., Karaağaç, M. O., & Ağbulut, Ü. (2023). Thermodynamic analyses of a novel hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) module assisted vapor compression refrigeration system. Journal of Building Engineering, 64, 105621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105621
  42. Zhang, G., Wang, X., Dykas, S., & Aliabadi, M. A. F. (2022). Reduction entropy generation and condensation by NaCl particle injection in wet steam supersonic nozzle. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 171, 107207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2021.107207
  43. Zhang, G., Wang, X., Pourranjbar, D., Dykas, S., Li, H., & Chen, J. (2022). The comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the latent heat, entrainment ratio, and ejector performance under different superheating degree conditions considering the non-equilibrium condensation. Applied Thermal Engineering, 200, 117701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117701
  44. Zhang, G., Zhang, X., Wang, D., Jin, Z., & Qin, X. (2019). Performance evaluation and operation optimization of the steam ejector based on modified model. Applied Thermal Engineering, 163, 114388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114388
  45. Zhang, H., Pan, X., Chen, J., & Xie, J. (2023). Energy, exergy, economic and environmental analyses of a cascade absorption-compression refrigeration system using two-stage compression with complete intercooling. Applied Thermal Engineering, 225, 120185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.120185
  46. Zhang, Z., Fu, S., & Marefati, M. (2023). A waste heat and liquefied natural gas cold energy recovery-based hybrid energy cycle: An effort to achieve superior thermodynamic and environmental performances. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 177, 322–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.06.085

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2024-05-05 01:21:00

No citation recorded.