OPTIMAL COUPLING AND FEASIBILITY OF A SOLAR-POWERED YEAR-ROUND EJECTOR AIR-CONDITIONER

An ejector refrigeration system that uses a conventional refrigerant (R-114) is introduced as a possible mechanism for providing solar-based air-conditioning. Optimal coupling conditions between the collectors' energy output and energy requirements of the cooling system, are investigated. Operation at such optimal conditions assures maximized overall efficiency. Procedures leading to the evaluation of the performance of a real system are disclosed. Design curves for such a system with R-114 as refrigerant are provided. A multi-ejectors arrangement that provides an efficient adjustment for variations of ambient conditions, is described. Year-round air-conditioning is facilitated by rerouting the refrigerant flow through a heating mode of the system. Calculations are carried out for illustrative configurations in which relatively low condensing temperature (water reservoirs, cooling towers, or moderate climate) can be maintained.