Work

CFD-driven design of an ejector for a novel combined power and cooling system: A thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This article studies a combined Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and Ejector Refrigeration Cycle (ERC) for generating power and cooling from low-grade heat sources. The ejector is simulated via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to calculate its entrainment ratio using three working fluids, which consist of R11, R123 and, R141b. As a valuable result, the highest error percentage of the ejector entrainment ratio is reduced to 13.53%, which is approximately 22.99% in Huang's one-dimensional modeling. Then, the ejector is applied in the combined energy conversion system to compute the performance of the ejector’s critical state operation through the two-dimensional method. Finally, the thermodynamic and exergoeconomic performance of the proposed system is analyzed using the selected working fluids. Interestingly, the highest cooling and power output belongs to R11 at 621.1 kW and 174.4 kW. Also, the maximum exergy destruction rate falls in the heat recovery vapor generator and then in the ejector at 118.1 kW and 44.75 kW. Another point worth mentioning is the investment cost rate of the set-up with the lowest quantity when R141b is selected as a working fluid at 6.42 $/h.

Source: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2026.107755

Authors: Hediyeh Hashemzadeh, Seyed Mehdi Pesteei, Mohammad Ebadollahi

Institutions: Urmia University, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

Language: English

Topic: Thermodynamic and Exergetic Analyses of Power and Cooling Systems

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,620