Vehicle refrigeration modification using an ejector: Optimization and exergoeconomic analysis

Background: Advances in technology in recent years have increased energy consumption which has led to global warming. In line with the Paris agreement, the optimal use of energy is a way to overcome the issue. Air con-ditioning and refrigeration systems are among the sectors that account for a large share of energy consumption. This has elicited the implementation of optimization of refrigeration systems. Method: In this research, the aim is to utilize the radiator waste heat of an engine with a volume of 2000 cc in an ejector refrigeration cycle as an alternative to conventional refrigeration cycles in vehicles. For this purpose, the ejector refrigeration cycle is modeled with energy, exergy, and eco-exergy equations and the ejector is modeled with dynamic gas equation. After modeling, effective parameters, namely, condenser outlet temperature, inlet temperature and pressure to the secondary nozzle, and inlet temperature to the primary nozzle are optimized using TOPSIS multi-objective optimization method. The selected objectives were reducing system capital in-vestment cost, and increasing, COP, and the ejector performance (& omega;) criterion. Results: It was found that the ejector refrigeration cycle reduces the electric power and capital investment cost by 0.743 kW and 0.0028 $/h, respectively, and also increases the COP by 0.917 compared to the conventional refrigeration systems in the vehicle.

Automated summary

Advances in technology have resulted in increased energy consumption and global warming. To address this issue, the optimal use of energy is being promoted in accordance with the Paris agreement. Among the sectors responsible for high energy consumption, air conditioning and refrigeration systems have prompted the implementation of optimization measures. This research focuses on utilizing the waste heat from a 2000 cc engine radiator as an alternative to conventional refrigeration cycles in vehicles. The ejector refrigeration cycle is modeled and optimized using TOPSIS multi-objective optimization method, resulting in reduced power consumption, capital investment cost, and increased COP compared to conventional systems.