Numerical investigation of two-phase ejector liquid recirculation cycles with natural refrigerants

Neal Lawrence, Stefan Elbel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Liquid recirculation is a method of improving evaporator performance by feeding excess liquid through the evaporator. Recirculation cycles often use mechanically-driven pumps to force liquid through the evaporator; however, it may be more convenient, especially for small-scale systems, if an ejector driven by the recovery of expansion power were used to provide this recirculation effect. Numerical models of a conventional liquid recirculation cycle with a mechanically-driven pump and two different recirculation cycles in which the pumping is provided by an ejector were developed. The performance of the three recirculation cycles is compared for the natural refrigerants CO2, propane, and ammonia. The results show that fluids that can recover a large amount of power in the ejector relative to other fluids, such as CO2, should use the ejector to increase compressor suction pressure, while fluids that cannot recover as much power in the ejector, such as ammonia, should use the ejector to provide liquid recirculation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication11th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants
Subtitle of host publicationNatural Refrigerants and Environmental Protection, GL 2014
EditorsWangyang Hu, Guojun Zhao
PublisherInternational Institute of Refrigeration
Pages766-774
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9782362150043
StatePublished - 2014
Event11th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants, GL 2014 - Hangzhou, China
Duration: Aug 31 2014Sep 2 2014

Publication series

Name11th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants: Natural Refrigerants and Environmental Protection, GL 2014

Other

Other11th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants, GL 2014
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHangzhou
Period8/31/149/2/14

Keywords

  • Ammonia
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Cycle comparison
  • Liquid recirculation
  • Propane
  • Two-phase ejector

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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