Performance improvement of the R744 two-phase ejector with an implemented suction nozzle bypass

In this study, the concept of an R744 ejector with a bypass duct of a suction nozzle was presented. The design of the geometry and bypass positioning in a mixing section, and the idea of regulation, as well as integration, with a suction nozzle duct was described. A preliminary numerical analysis of the proposed bypass geometry was also presented. The computational platform ejectorPL integrated with an extensively validated mathematical model of transcritical R744 two-phase flow was used. Motive nozzle inlet and suction nozzle inlet conditions reflecting gas cooler and evaporator conditions characteristic of large systems, such as supermarket refrigeration units, were examined. Three different separation pressures in liquid receivers were assumed for two bypass geometries and six bypass inlet positions. The bypass positioning as a function of a mixer length was presented. Uniquely positive results were obtained for the lowest pressure conditions. Namely, the increment of the suction mass flow rate was substantial and equal to 36.9% for the bypass angle of 19°. Hence, the bypass implementation resulted in distinct potential of an efficiency improvement from 22.2% to 30.4%. A higher pressure lift case did not result in any improvement of the ejector work. The influence of the bypass geometry on the overall ejector efficiency was preliminarily characterised. Finally, the pressure distribution in the bypass type ejector was described.