Abstract:
This study analyzes the internal flow behavior and operating range of an ejector
in a refrigeration system, utilizing waste heat from industrial processes as the primary energy source. The entrainment ratio (Rm) is a key factor affecting ejector performance and is constrained by the critical condenser pressure (CBP) and breakdown condenser pressure (BDCP). A numerical simulation using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was conducted through ANSYS Fluent to model the ejector's flow behavior in a 2D model.
Various operating conditions were set, with primary inlet temperatures of 87 degrees Celsius, 90 degrees Celsius, and 94 degrees Celsius, and secondary inlet temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius, 9 degrees Celsius, and 11 degrees Celsius. The working fluid
used was R245fa, and the simulation covered an outlet pressure range from
temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius to examine the effects of these variables on the
entrainment ratio and ejector operating range.
The results indicate that an increase in the primary inlet temperature leads to
higher critical condenser pressure and breakdown condenser pressure. However, the
entrainment ratio tends to decrease across all temperature conditions. Additionally, a
higher secondary inlet temperature results in increased pressure in the mixing
chamber, affecting the flow balance and overall ejector performance. Comparisons of Mach number and static pressure contours reveal significant changes in refrigerant flow within the mixing chamber, particularly in the expansion wave and effective area, which play crucial roles in the entrainment process.