Numerical investigation on the influence of mixing chamber length on steam ejector performance. (25th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Jingming; Hu, Qiuyu; Yu, Mengqi; Han, Zhitao; Cui, Wenbin; Liang, Daliong; Ma, Hongbin; Pan, Xinxiang
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 174(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25
• Subjects: Steam ejector -- Numerical simulation -- Mixing chamber -- Entrainment ratio -- Critical back pressure; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: A 3D model was developed and can be used to predict the mixing chamber length effect on the ejector performance. Mixing chamber length affects entrainment ratio and critical back pressure. The optimum mixing chamber length exists. Abstract: A steam ejector can effectively utilize waste heat resources, which is widely used in the fields of air conditioning, refrigeration, and seawater desalination. The structure of the steam ejector's mixing chamber has a critical influence on its performance. In this paper, the effects of the mixing chamber length on the steam ejector performance under different Mach numbers at the nozzle exit, constant area section length, and diffuser length are studied using three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations. The numerical simulation results show that the entrainment ratio and critical back pressure of the steam ejector rise first and then decrease with the increasing of the mixing chamber length under different Mach numbers, constant area section lengths and diffuser lengths. The steam ejector can achieve a better performance with the mixing chamber length in the range of 40–80 mm, when the nozzle throat diameter is 2.5 mm under a typical working condition of steam ejector refrigeration.