CFD modelling and experimental investigation of an ejector refrigeration system using methanol as the working fluid

International Journal of Energy ResearchVolume 25, Issue 2 p. 115-128 Research Article CFD modelling and experimental investigation of an ejector refrigeration system using methanol as the working fluid S. B. Riffat, Corresponding Author S. B. Riffat Saffa.Riffat@Nottingham.ac.uk School of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.KSchool of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorS. A. Omer, S. A. Omer School of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.KSearch for more papers by this author S. B. Riffat, Corresponding Author S. B. Riffat Saffa.Riffat@Nottingham.ac.uk School of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.KSchool of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorS. A. Omer, S. A. Omer School of the Built Environment, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.KSearch for more papers by this author First published: 29 January 2001 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.666Citations: 72AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract This paper presents results of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis and experimental investigation of an ejector refrigeration system using methanol as the working fluid. The CFD modelling was used to investigate the effect of the relative position of the primary nozzle exit within the mixing chamber on the performance of the ejector. The results of the CFD were used to obtain the optimum geometry of the ejector, which was then used to design, construct and test a small-scale experimental ejector refrigeration system. Methanol was used as the working fluid, as it has the advantage of being an 'environmentally friendly' refrigerant that does not contribute to global warming and ozone layer depletion. In addition, use of methanol allows the ejector refrigeration system to produce cooling at temperatures below the freezing point of the water, which of course would not be possible with a water ejector refrigeration system. CFD results showed that positioning the nozzle exit at least 0.21 length of the mixing chamber throat's diameter upstream of the entrance of the mixing chamber gave better performance than pushing it into the mixing chamber. Experimental values of coefficient of performance (COP) between 0.2 and 0.4 were obtained at operating conditions achievable using low-grade heat such as solar energy and waste heat. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Citing Literature Volume25, Issue2February 2001Pages 115-128 RelatedInformation