CHAPTER 3

THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Thermodynamic analysis of ejector refrigeration system, availability of

various refrigerant suitable for the low grade heat source and for the range of
operating temperature are discussed in this chapter. Selection of the model, the
refrigerant and the assumptions which are to be made during analysis are presented
in this chapter

3.2 OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF EJECTOR SYSTEM

The elector refrigeration system consists of the vapour generator, ejector

unit, condenser expansion unit, evaporator and refrigerant pump. Schematic
diagram of the ejector refrigeration system is shown in Fig. 3.1. From the
condensing unit the refrigerant in liquid state is pumped, by the refrigerant pump,
to the vapour generator. In the vapour generator the liquid refrigerant is vaporised
using the low grade heat available as waste heat or from the solar energy source.
For the present study a temperature range of 60°C to 90c C is obtained, by using
four electrical neaters which are fitted in the generator. This refrigerant vapour
enters the ejector as primary fluid. Ejector refrigeration cycle is like the vapour
compression retrigeration cycle in which the compressor is replaced with ejector.
Ejector itself consists of convergent - divergent primary nozzle, suction chambers.
mixing chambers and divergent diffuser Fig. 3.2. Primary nozzle is the heart of the
ejector since it converts the pressure energy in to kinetic Hnergy. This high
velocitv stream from the primary nozzle is used to entrain and accelerate the slow
moving low pressure secondare stream from the evaporator. A drag action occurs
on the boundarv of the jet between high and low velocitv- fluids. The primary
vapour compresses the secondare vapour to a higher pressure. The mixed stream is
condensed in a condenser where water is circulated as cooling medium. From the
condenser the refrigerant is collected in a receiver. Majority portion of the
refrigerant from the receiver is pumped to the primary stream and a small portion
of the refrigerant is throttled and then enters the evaporator. The refrigerant
absorbs the heat from the surrounding (the space to be refrigerated).

The w orking principle of the ERS is explained as follows with reference to

Fig.3.1. It is seen that, from the condenser, a portion of the refrigerant in liquid
state [State 11 at temperature Tt and pressure Pc is pumped to the generator to
pressure Pc as the primary stream. Wp is the mechanical energy spent on the
refrigerant be the pump [State point 2j. This primary stream receives heat (QJ
while flowing through the generator. This heat source is supplied from the waste
heat solar heat. After obtaining heat, the primary stream becomes dry saturated at
the outlet of the generator. At this stage the temperature and the pressure are T„ and
Pc at state point 3 From state point 3 the primary stream expands in the primary
[convergent - divergent] nozzle and reaches the stagnation state. A portion of the
refrigerant with a mass m, from the condenser flow's through the expansion valve,
reaches the state 5 at pressure Pc. In the evaporator the refrigerant absorbs heat Qc
from the surrounding (the space to be refrigerated). But for the experimental study
heat source is given by the hot water supplied to the evaporator from the hot
reservoir After obtaining heat the refrigerant comes out of the evaporator is drawn
in as secondare refrigerant vapour in to the ejector by the drag action of ejector at
 Process 1-2 3-4-1 Power sub- cycle : Process 1-5-6-4-1 -Refrigeration suh- cycle

state point 6. At this point the temperature and pressure are If. and PL, respecti\el\.
From state point 6 the secondary stream due to suction effect reaches to the
stagnation state These two streams mix thoroughly in the mixing chamber of the
ejector and travels through the diffuser. At the outlet of the diffuser the refrigerant
is at temperature 14. and pressure P4= PL (State point 4). From state point 4 the
refrigerant flow-, through the condenser. While passing through the condenser the
heat Qc is rejected to the cooling water. After rejecting the heat in the condenser
the refrigerant comes out of the condenser at state point 1.
3.3 AN AI YSIS OF EJECTOR
3.3.1 Ejector

An ejector is a device in which high-pressure primary fluid is used to

entrain the low-pressure secondary fluid. Fig 3.2. is a diagram of a typical standard
supersonic type ejector. Ejector analysis is carried out to find out the quantity, of
primary flow and the secondary flow requirements for the system . Primary fluid
is seen accelerated through a convergent- divergent nozzle to produce a high
velocity jet. This entrains the slow moving secondary fluid and causes the later to
be accelerated in the direction of the driving jet. These two fluids then combine in
the mixing section and ideally the process of mixing is complete by the end of this
section. The mixed fluid is then undergoes a reeompression process to reach the
back pressure at the diffuser outlet. This back pressure lies between the driving
pressure and the suction pressure.

The various thermodynamic processes within the ejector are explained

with reference to Fig.3.2 as follows:

Fig.3.2 Schematic diagram of an ejector

 Stale point 3: The high pressure refrigerant vapour at dry saturated state
from the outlet of the generator enters the ejector as
primary vapour at a pressure of FT and temperature ot 1 ,
State point a: Primary vapour after expansion through primary nozzle
reaches to a pressure P,.
State point 6: The low pressure refrigerant vapour at dry saturated state
from the evaporator exit is drawn in as secondary
vapour in to the ejector.
State point h: The primary and the secondary vapour mixes at constant
pressure between a-b.
State point x: The mixing of primary and the secondary vapour continues
till complete mixing and normal shock wave occurs.
State point y: T he state of combined vapour after the shock.
State point 4: The combined vapour after self compression in the
diffuser leaves the ejector at a pressure equal
to condenser pressure Pc .

3.4 THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

There are basically two methods for analysing the ejector (viz. constant
pressure mixing and constant area mixing). Many investigators Viz. Tlrod et.all
[1945|. f)e Prate and Hoerl [1959], Keenan et al [ 1950). and George Emmanuel
[19761 have reported that the constant pressure mixing yields better result.
Therefore in the present study the theoretical model based on one dimensional
flow and constant pressure mixing is developed.
 h. Enthalpy ( k.Ekg )
Fig. 3. 3 (a) p-h Diagram for Power Sub- cycle

h Enthalpy ( k.I'kg )

Fig. 3. 3 (b) p-h Diagram for Refrigeration Sub- cycle

Fig. 3. 3 (c ) p-h Diagram for Ejector refrigeration System

 40

The elector refrigeration system consists of two sub cycles. namely Power
sub- c\cle and the other the Refrigeration sub- cycle. The p - h diagram tor the
Power c>clc is shown in fig. 3.3(a). The process involved in this cycle are

explained as follows:
Process 12: A part of the liquid refrigerant from the condenser is pumped
as primary fluid to the generator inlet at a pressure P2
Process 2-3: Heat added to the refrigerant at constant pressure in the
generator. The refrigerant is at a dry saturated vapour state at a
pressure and temperature of P2 and IT respectively.
Process 3-6: Expansion of Primary vapour in the primary Convergent-
divergent Nozzle to a pressure Pc .
Process 6-4: Mixing of primary and the secondary vapour in the mixing
chamber and the combined (mixed) vapour is self compressed
to the condenser pressure Pc at the exit of the ejector.
Process 41: Heat is rejected from the refrigerant at constant pressure in the
Condenser. At the exit of the condenser the pressure and the
temperature are Pc and Tc respective!).
The P-h diagram for the refrigeration sub cycle is shown in Fig. 3.3 (b). Th
processes involved in this cycle is as follows:
Process 1 5: The expansion of the secondary flow refrigerant liquid (from
exit of the Condenser ) in the expansion valve to a pressure Pc.
Process 5-6: The refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator and at the exit of
the evaporator the pressure and the temperature are Pe and
1 c respectively .
Process 6-4: Compression of the combined (primary and the secondary )
Vapour to a condenser pressure at the exit of the ejector.
Process 4 1 : Heat is rejected from the refrigerant at constant pressure in the
 41

COndenser. At the exit of the condenser the pressure and the

temperature are Pc and l\ respectively.

The ejector refrigeration cycle P-h diagram. Fig. 3.3 (c) . is shown by
combining both the Power and the Refrigeration Sub-Cycle P-h diagrams. The
processes involved are explained as follows:
Process 1-2: The primary flow refrigerant is pumped to the generator
pressure by the refrigerant pump.
Process 3-3: Heat is added to the primary flow refrigerant in the generator
The refrigerant reaches as dry saturated vapour at the exit of
the Cienerator. The state of the refrigerant at the inlet to the
ejector is same as that of the exit of the generator.
Process 3-6: T he primary vapour expands to a pressure equal to the
hvaporator Pressure PL,.
Process 1 5: The expansion of the secondary flow refrigerant in the
expansion valve and after expansion the pressure is Pc.
Process 5 -6: The secondary flow refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator
and becomes vapour . This vapour which is at pressure P,
and Temperature TL.
Process 6-4: The primary and the secondary vapour . mixes in the mixing
chamber of the ejector and self compressed in the diffuser to
a pressure equal to the condenser pressure at the exit of the
ejector.
Process 4 1: The combined refrigerant vapour is condensed in the
Condenser and at the exit of the condenser is at pressure P
and T emperature T3
 42

The following assumptions are made for the analysis:

I I lie primary mass flow exceeds the secondare mass flow in the

elector

2. 1 he priman and the secondary streams are supplied at zero velocity

at the entrance

3. The flow is adiabatic and there is no shear or friction forces at the

walls

4. The pressure at the beginning of the mixing is common to both

streams
5. The expansion in the primary nozzie and the compression of the

secondary flow are isentropic.

The mass flow rate (m) and the velocity (v) of refrigerant across Ejector

can be found out bv

m - A.A' (3.1)

V \f 2r| (h„-h) (3.2)

The continuin' equation across the Ejector is predicted by

Q - W r I out m (h-; V2/2 } +gZ) -1 in m(h~; V2/2 } ^gZ) (3.3)

for ideal gas the steady- flow equation is given by

h - V- : = h „ (3.4)
 43

Sound velocio can he obtained bv

C" kR I
From l.qn. (3.4) & (3.5) the Mach Number function is obtained as

m y(k-i > ;< p„ p ),k'" k-1 ; (3.6)

PRIMARY NOZZLE ANALYSIS

Mass How rate per unit area for the primary nozzle in terms of Mach
number can be derived from Eqn. (3.1) as:

rh A- ( IN R )M / HI -M2(k-1) '2 ),k'1’2,k'h ; (3.7)

At the throat 'f the Mach number is unite. Hence the primary nozzle flow
equation is .

m V t P > 1 \f k”'R ) 2 (k - 1) lN " ' K (3.8)

From Lqn. (3.7) & (3.8) the exit area A pa of the primary nozzle is obtained as

Apy A, M (0 is s\ M pa2( k-1 )/2J ](kH) “(k'u (3.9)

pa'

The actual enthalpv change at the convergent - divergent nozzle is smaller than the
isentropic enthalp> change. Hence, the nozzle efficiency qn is defined as

On - I lip- h pa) (h p -h p/ ) (3.10)

 44

There tore the Mach Number at the exit of the nozzle is

m,.. /: (k-i i n „ 1 ( pp pu )<k~" k-1| (3.11)

MIXING SECTION ANALYSIS

Similarly the Mach number of the secondare vapour at the exit of the
prirnan nozzle plane (section 'a' ) is given by

M... \/ 2 (k-1)[ (Px Pa )(k'" k-l] (3.12)

In the mixing section the pressure at section "b" and 'x‘ are assumed to be the
same as IT Also, only for the condition that Pa= Ph= Px the ultimate expansion is
realised in the nozzle ( Lames et.al.\ 1995]). Writing the equation for the mixing
section

Con sen ation of mass

m r - m.-mb-mx-AxpxVx (3.13)

Conservation of momentum

rh p V p g - m \\ g -P a A x = (rhr - rh j V x/g ~ Px A x (3.14)

CArisen ation of energy

mrhor rh , h os - rhxhox (3.15)

Mixing section Mach number equation is.

 45

M \ ’ | kx (K Wx )\\ | (3.16)

Assume li , m r rh x : u .= m . rhx (3.17)

11'the primary v apour and the secondary vapour are not the same, then the mixer
molecular weigh) W x . is calculated as

W\ [ ( p W)p-( p/W) J’1 (3.18)

Then the mixer specific heat ratio k x can be expressed as

k x - k [ 1 - (W p'W x )(m x /'m r ) J(k r-l )'k rJ j k „ (k X-1 )j ]

|1 (W p'W J (m ym p) (k r-l) (ks-l )J (3.19)

B\ assumptions i 1) and P a - P h = P x and also for optimum ejector operation

requires a small secondary Mach number ( George Emmanuel[ 1976]) the
momentum Eqn. (3.14) is deduced to

Vx Up Vp, (3.20)

(since momentum of secondary flow and the momentum at the exit of the ejector
at section (4) are negligible ).

From isentropic How equation, it is obtained that

T . T ■ 1 - M (k-1) '2 (3.21)

and.
 4(>

Cl , I I« v: 2 h „ ) = M: (k-I ) 2 (3.22s

from Eqn. ( 3.2 h &. (3.22 i . velocity at am section can he derived as

V - V;2 h „! M :(k-l) 2j ' {1- M;(k-1) 21 (3.23)

and the velocit} of the primary flow at section (a) is written as

Vpa \/2 h M pa2 (k-1 )/2! 11- M pa2(k-1) -21 (3.24)

But. Vpa~ \if2 h„[ l-( P Pop ),kr'h kr]

Substituting the value of Vpa in Eqn. (3.20) .V x becomes

i/7 (3.25)

Where.

u | M ,, i k-h 2 | |1 • M,v. (k-h 21

Stagnation enthalp> of mixture can also be given by

hox = R [! k (k-1) | (T W) ] x - V x: <2 (3.26)

Substituting the value of hoxin Eqn. (3.15).

(kR I W) x -(kx -1)[(|LAp hop - (i. h,,J - Vx: 2] (3.27)

 -T7

Combing Pqn. (3 lb). (3.25) and (3.27)

Mb (2 ik v -1 )| [((V h(ip u' ) j ((ar h,,r • p„ h ,, j - <ur h,,r u“) 1 ] (3.28)

Assuming. J (gtr h„p - ps h „ J (|ip: hop u:)| as 0

Me -2 |(k x-1)(0 -1 )J (3.20)

Substituting the various values of pp. hop. u and h ov the value of 0 becomes.

0 -1 Am. mp); Mm. /mp)(h Top)J■ {[1- Mpa2 (k-1) 21 [ M pa:( k-1) 2 ]

(3.30)
Stagnation Enthalpy Ratio, h h op. is given from equation (3.22) as:

h . h. |k „ /(k.-l )1 [(kp-l )/k p] [T . .. W | [W PT1(P1 (3.3 1 )

Shock Analysis

I he mixed stream is assumed to under go a supersonic transverse shock at

the constant area section. The flow changes from supersonic to subsonic condition
after the shock. This shock effects a sudden pressure rise. The relation between the
Mach number before the shock M x and after the shock M% is giv en by

M,: |!2 (k N-1)}Mx2] [ [2k (kx-l JM -11 (3.32)

Similarlv the ratio of pressure before the shock 1\ and after the shock P} is giv en
bv
P, P = 11- kMc] [1-kMc] (3.33)
 4X

Diffuser anal\ sis

1 he subsonic mixed How after the shock in constant area section enters

the diffuser and compressed further until its velocity decreases to zero (assumed at

the exit of the diffuser). The pressure recover} is given b\

\ P, P ] :u v"' ’ k x: - [r|d 1 (k N -1) 2 J M ,2] = 1 (3.34)

Ejector Efficiency

Tfficiencv of the ejector is usually defined as ratio of the pumping work

done during the lsentropic compression of the secondare vapour from P(ls to PL. to

the w ork done during isentropic expansion of the primary vapour from P(>r to I\

(4\ =■ P4 ) and is expressed as

Pci = (nvrhnMT,,, I ,,p)[ 1 P„s/P I k\-1 i k\ \ | ( k\- I I k\ I :

- 1 J I 1 - I Pop I
cJ
(3.33)

Area ratio

The area ratio is defined as the area of the mixing section A xto the area

of the primary nozzle throat At. This area ratio is more important design parameter

for the ejector.

1 rom momentum equation (3.14) . Am, v is derived as.

A mn MnA/ kn Rn \ [Pc Pr "Mr /Pj-rPos Pc)]

pa vr xr 1 <>r

(3.3b)
 4b

Substituting 1 he value of mp from Hqn. (3.8) in fqn. (3.3b).

, j i kp• I) !2 ( kp
A |I\,rU2 (kp- 1) M
■v 1 p j i '

Mm i \ k.
‘ mu i \ . <P P (P, p j:: MpPikp-l ) 21
(3.3")

A P„p kp 12/(kp-1) |1 <kr 11 |2(kr’":l ! M '

pa i

l\! (1 MmiN“kmiN) |(PL Pdi K Par Pm i \)

PJJ! \/l* Mpa"(kp-1) 2 | J (3.38)

This equation is often used for optimisation of the mass flow ratio, for the given

design condition- ol area ratio. Pop. P,,„ and F\.

Ejector cycle performance

The ejector refrigeration cycle performance is defined by the term Coefficient Of

Performance(C( )P) and is giv en by.

COP r. Qc- (Qg-Wp) (3.3b)

- [ms mp] |(h - hci)'(h„v - hd)j (3.40)

n M
= COP COPcar (3.41 )

COPL.a f- (1, - Tc ) . (1, IJ I. (3.42)

 49a

The I F( i used in the thermodynamic model is the one which is produced by Madras
Refineries Ltd., me constituents are.

Table 3.1 Constituent of refrigerant LPG

Gas Molecular Wt. % of Gas in LPG

Propane 44.1 0.122
N Butane 58.12 0.677
Iso Butane 58.12 0.188
N Pentane 72.12 0.003
Iso Pentane 72.12 0.01

The molecular wt of LPG is calculated and is

^"

i 0J22 0.677 0.188 0.003 0.01

44.1 58.12 58.12 72.12 72.12

- 56.086

3.5 REFRIGERANT SELECTION

From the above theoretical analysis it is seen that all four refrigerants are
suitable as a w orking fluids in a ejector refrigeration systems. The Ozone Depletion
Potential for certain refrigerants is listed in Table 3.2.
 49( b

Table 3.2 Ozone Depletion Potential for certain refrigerants

Chemical
Refrigerant Name Designation ODP
formula
I richlorofluoromethane CCPF R11 1.00
Dichlorodifluoromethane CCEPT R12 1.00
C h 1 or od i fl uor om ethan e CHC1F3 R22 0.05
Dichlorotrifluoroethane CHCFPT R123 0.02
Tetrafluoroethane ; CH2FCF? R134a | 0
Ammonia 1 NFL R717 ! 0

The above data has been taken from reference Eastop ei.al (1995)

From the fable 3.2 it is evident that the Ozone Depleting Potential of
R134a is zero and hence R134a has been chosen as the working fluid for the
experimental analysis.

3.6 CONCLUDING REMARK

In the theoretical model area ratio in terms of pressure of condenser,

evaporator, generator and primary nozzle exit mach number is developed. Though
all four refrigerant which are analysed is suitable for ejector refrigeration system.
R134a which is having zero ODP is found suitable out of these four as refrigerant
for the experimental analysis.