Numerical investigation of superheating secondary flow on performance of steam ejector by considering non-equilibrium condensation in renewable refrigeration cycle

Kaikai Shao

doi:10.1515/cppm-2024-0059

Article

Numerical investigation of superheating secondary flow on performance of steam ejector by considering non-equilibrium condensation in renewable refrigeration cycle

Kaikai Shao

Published/Copyright: March 10, 2025

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From the journal Chemical Product and Process Modeling Volume 20 Issue 4

Abstract

The escalating global concern over climate change and the urgent need for sustainable solutions have propelled renewable energy technologies into the spotlight. Among these, renewable refrigeration cycles have emerged as a promising research area, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional refrigeration systems. Ejector refrigeration cycles (ERCs), particularly those employing water as the working fluid, have garnered significant attention due to their inherent advantages. To further optimize the performance of ERCs, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying flow phenomena and their impact on system efficiency is crucial. The primary objective is to explore the impact of secondary flow superheating on the ejector’s performance and flow characteristics. A parametric study is conducted by varying the secondary flow superheating degree from 0 K to 30 K while maintaining constant secondary flow pressures of 1,200 Pa and 1,800 Pa. The results revealed that while the overall flow pattern remained relatively unaffected by the increase in superheating, the ejector’s performance and exergy destruction were significantly impacted. A noteworthy observation is the inverse relationship between secondary flow superheating and entrainment ratio. As the superheating degree increases, the entrainment ratio exhibits a corresponding decrease. For instance, a 30-degree increase in superheat resulted in a 2.8 % and 3.9 % reduction in entrainment ratio at 1,200 Pa and 1,800 Pa, respectively.

Keywords: secondary flow superheating degree; non-equilibrium condensation; steam ejector; entrainment ratio; computational fluid dynamics

Corresponding author: Kaikai Shao, Department of Automotive Engineering, Hebei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering, Xingtai 054000, Hebei, China; and Hebei Special Vehicle Modification Technology Innovation Center, Hebei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering, Xingtai 054000, Hebei, China, E-mail: shaokaikai@xpc.edu.cn

Funding source: Science and Technology Research Project of colleges and universities in Hebei Province: Study on control strategy and performance of compressed CO₂ storage system for cold, heat and power supply

Award Identifier / Grant number: QN2023247

Acknowledgments

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that there are no individuals or organizations that require acknowledgment for their contributions to this work.

Research ethics: Research involving Human Participants and Animals: The observational study conducted on medical staff needs no ethical code. Therefore, the above study was not required to acquire an ethical code.
Informed consent: This option is not necessary due to that the data were collected from the references.
Author contributions: The author contributed to the study’s conception and design. Data collection, simulation and analysis were performed by “Kaikai Shao”. Also the first draft of the manuscript was written by Kaikai Shao commented on previous versions of the manuscript.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: During the preparation of this work, the authors used Large Language Models, AI, and Machine Learning tools for tasks such as language refinement, data analysis, or figure generation, with all outputs being reviewed and validated by the authors to ensure accuracy and originality. After using these tools/services, the authors reviewed and edited the content and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.
Conflict of interest: The author declare no competing interests.
Research funding: This work was supported by Science and Technology Research Project of colleges and universities in Hebei Province: Study on control strategy and performance of compressed CO₂ storage system for cold, heat and power supply (QN2023247).
Data availability: Data can be shared upon request.

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Received: 2024-07-04

Accepted: 2025-02-23

Published Online: 2025-03-10

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https://doi.org/10.1515/cppm-2024-0059

Keywords for this article

secondary flow superheating degree; non-equilibrium condensation; steam ejector; entrainment ratio; computational fluid dynamics