Effect of Ejector Location in Absorption Refrigeration Cycles Using Different Binary Working Fluids

Abstract

In this study, three novel modifications of ejector-absorption refrigeration cycles (E-ARC) are investigated to evaluate the effect of ejector location on cycle performances. In the first modification (triple pressure level absorption refrigeration cycle TPL-ARC), the ejector is located at the evaporator inlet. In the second modification (double ejector absorption refrigeration cycle DE-ARC), two ejectors are used; one is located at the evaporator inlet and the other at the absorber inlet, which are coupled to each other. In the third modification (low pressure condenser absorption refrigeration cycle LPC-ARC), the steam ejector is installed at the downstream of the vapor generator discharging line. An additional flow splitter is integrated to the steam ejector outlet and part of the vapor is extracted and returned to the absorber at a pressure equal to the diffuser pressure. Effect of ejector location on thermodynamic performances are evaluated considering three different working fluids, namely ammonia–water solution (NH3–H2O), lithium bromide-water solution (H2O–LiBr), and lithium chloride–water solution (H2O–LiCl). Even though all three configurations enhance the conventional absorption refrigeration cycle (C-ARC) performances, the LPC-ARCs work at high temperature and improve the cycle performance. The TPL-ARC proves to improve the COP and exergy efficiency up to 9.14% and 7.61%, respectively, presenting the highest thermodynamic performance enhancement and lowest operating temperature.