Experimental Study of a Constant-Area Ejector With Two-Phase Fluids

The authors are presently involved in developing a design code to optimize an active space thermal management system that includes as a key component an ejector, which operates with fluids in the two-phase regime. In order to validate this code, and for other applications of two-phase ejectors, a comprehensive experimental data set is needed for this device. This paper deals with the conceptual design and implementation of a constant-area ejector experimental rig intended to provide the required data set. The system has been designed to implement the same thermodynamic cycle as the proposed thermal management system, allowing a preliminary performance database to be developed upon testing, in addition to the ejector data. The ejector itself will be an interchangeable part in this system, allowing geometrical variables to be manipulated.