Comparison of CFD and experimental performance results of a variable area ratio steam ejector

Abstract

The advantages of numerical modelling compared with experimental studies (e.g. reduced cost, easy control of the variables, high yield etc.) are well known. Theoretical studies where experimental validation is also presented provide an important added value to numerical investigations. In the present paper, experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results for a 5-kW-rated capacity steam ejector, with a variable primary nozzle geometry, are presented and compared. The variable geometry was achieved by applying a movable spindle at the primary nozzle inlet. Relatively low operating temperatures and pressures were considered, so that the cooling system could be operated with thermal energy supplied by solar collectors (solar air-conditioning). The CFD model was based on the axi-symmetric representation of the experimental ejector, using water as a working fluid. The experimental entrainment ratio varied in the range of 0.1-0.5, depending on operating conditions and spindle tip position. It was found that the primary flow rate can be successfully adjusted by the spindle. CFD and experimental primary flow rates agreed well, with an average relative error of 8%. CFD predicted the secondary flow rate and entrainment ratio with good accuracy only in 70% of the cases. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.