Improving the efficiency of the supersonic binary fluid ejector using computational fluid dynamic modeling

The only commercially available technology that directly uses thermal energy to produce cooling is absorption chillers,
which are not economical for small-medium scale buildings (<100,000 sq.ft.) and suffer from serious performance limitations. May-Ruben Thermal Solutions (MRTS) is developing a novel Binary Fluid Ejector (BFE) that will provide a high-performance, economic, scalable, thermally-driven heat pump and refrigeration cycle. Early applications include space cooling/heating for residential and commercial buildings, providing economic savings and GHG reductions. MRTS is currently constructing a laboratory BFE prototype. The proposed project includes research needed to support the development of an alpha prototype which consists of a closed-loop recirculating BFE heat pump system, including 3-D computational fluids dynamic (CFD) to be performed by the candidate. This modeling work will enable the design of geometrically optimized ejectors that maintain their performance when used in applications with higher temperature differences, such as space cooling, where traditional ejectors rapidly loose efficiency.

Faculty Supervisor:

David H. Wood

Student:

Partner:

May-Ruben Thermal Solutions Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Retail trade

University:

University of Calgary

Program: