Effect of Geometric Configurations on the Starting Transients in Vacuum Ejector

Abstract: The present study aims to investigate the process of vacuum generation in a second throat vacuum ejector system employed for the high altitude testing of rocket motors. The study shows that the vacuum generation progresses with four distinct stages during the initial start-up process. The initial stage consists of a gradual evacuation process (first stage) which is followed by a transition region (second stage) in which the pressure starts to drop fastly and eventually leading to a rapid evacuation stage (third stage). This is followed with the reappearance of a gradual evacuation stage (fourth stage) which terminates with the onset of the started mode operation. It is found that the various stages of evacuation are closely linked to the internal shock wave movement in the supersonic nozzle. The gradual evacuation is found to be caused by the relatively large nozzle exit pressure caused by the multiple shock cells in the nozzle. The rapid evacuation occurs due to the sudden movement of the first shock cell to the nozzle exit and the reappearance of the gradual evacuation happens during the transformation of the nozzle jet from an overexpanded to underexpanded state. The parametric studies show that with increase in diffuser convergent cone angle, the contribution of vacuum generation from the fourth stage reduces due to a reduction in the maximum possible jet expansion. A same trend in vacuum generation is observed when nozzle distance from the second throat section of the ejector diffuser reduces.

Abstract: Flow visualization and laser-Doppler anemometry have been used to provide a detailed description of the velocity characteristics of the asymmetric flows which form in symmetric, two-dimensional, plane, sudden-expansion geometries. The flow and geometry boundary conditions which give rise to asymmetric flow are indicated, and the reason for the phenomenon is shown to lie in disturbances generated at the edge of the expansion and amplified in the shear layers. The spectral distributions of the fluctuations in velocity are quantitatively related to the dimensions of the two unequal regions of flow recirculation. It is also shown that the intensity of fluctuating energy in these low Reynolds number flows can be larger than that in corresponding turbulent flows.

Abstract: This paper provides a literature review on ejectors and their applications in refrigeration. A number of studies are grouped and discussed in several topics, i.e. background and theory of ejector and jet refrigeration cycle, performance characteristics, working fluid and improvement of jet refrigerator. Moreover, other applications of an ejector in other types of refrigeration system are also described.

Abstract: A numerical study of laminar incompressible flows in symmetric plane sudden expansions was carried out. Computations were performed for various Reynolds number and expansion ratios. The results revealed that the flow remains symmetric up to a certain Reynolds number depending on the expansion ratio, while asymmetries appear at higher Reynolds numbers. The computations indicated that the critical Reynolds number of the symmetry‐breaking bifurcation reduces when increasing the expansion ratio while the flow regains symmetry downstream of an initial channel length. The flow asymmetries were verified by comparing several discretization schemes up to fourth order of accuracy as well as various iterative solvers.

Abstract: Detailed velocity measurements and numerical predictions are presented for the flow through a plane nominally two-dimensional duct with a Symmetric sudden expansion of area ratio 1:2. Both the experiments and the predictions confirm a symmetry-breaking bifurcation of the flow leading to one long and one short Separation zone for channel Reynolds numbers above 125, based on the upstream channel height and the maximum flow velocity upstream. With increasing Reynolds numbers above this value, the short separated region remains approximately constant in length whereas the long region increases in length.The experimental data were obtained using a one-component laser-Doppler anemometer at many Reynolds number values, with more extensive measurements being performed for the three Reynolds numbers 70, 300 and 610. Predictions were made using a finite volume method and an explicit quadratic Leith type of temporal discretization. In general, good agreement was found between measured and predicted velocity profiles for all Reynolds numbers investigated.

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to provide a literature review on solar-driven ejector refrigeration systems and to give useful guidelines regarding background and operating principles of ejector. The development history and recent progress in solar-driven ejector refrigeration systems are reported and categorized. It shows that solar-driven ejector refrigeration technologies are not only can serve the needs for cooling requirements such as air-conditioning and ice-making and medical or food preservation in remote areas, but also can meet demand for energy conservation and environment protection. For these reasons, the research activities in this sector are still increasing to solve the crucial points that make these systems not yet ready to compete with the well-known vapour compression system. However, a lot of research work still needs to be done for large-scale applications in industry and for the replacement of conventional refrigeration machines.