SDU researchers rethink nearly 100-year-old energy technology
By combining two well-known technologies in a new way, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a component that both improves efficiency and gives engineers a completely new way of optimising thermal energy systems. Initial laboratory results show efficiency improvements of up to 12,3 per cent.
For almost a century, engineers have developed the ejector according to the same fundamental principles.
Now, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have taken a step that could change the way the technology is developed.
By combining the classical ejector with a specifically designed jet deflection unit, the researchers have developed JETJECTOR – a new design that not only improves the component's efficiency but also introduces an entirely new capability that conventional ejectors were never designed to control.
Initial laboratory results demonstrate improvements in ejector efficiency ranging from 2,2 to 12,3 per cent, depending on the design.
- We are not creating more energy. We are finding smarter ways to use the energy that is already there. If millions of thermal energy systems become even slightly more efficient, the overall impact could be significant," says Baris Burak Kanbur, Assistant Professor at SDU Mechanical Engineering.
Until now, engineers have optimised ejectors based on two key characteristics: how much they can increase pressure and how much fluid they can transport.
JETJECTOR introduces a third.
The researchers have developed a design that makes it possible to actively control the balance between liquid and vapour inside the component. This opens up a new way of optimising thermal energy systems and could benefit a wide range of technologies in which phase change plays a central role.
- We are not simply improving an existing component. We are expanding the way ejectors can be designed. This gives engineers a new parameter to work with when developing the thermal energy systems of the future, says Baris Burak Kanbur.
During this work, Baris Burak Kanbur noticed something unexpected. The pressure loss through the component at specific design and operating conditions was much lower than anticipated.
That observation led the research in a new direction by raising a simple question: could this flow mechanism be used in two-phase ejectors?
Then, Research Assistant Søren Schøler Sundall, started to develop a series of different geometries and tested them through advanced simulations and laboratory experiments.
Only after numerous iterations did they find a design that worked. Søren Schøler Sundall also played a central role in developing the laboratory test rig that enabled the team to demonstrate the concept.
- We were surprised that it worked. Our original goal was simply to explore the idea. When the results showed that we could maintain the ejector's normal performance while adding an entirely new capability, we realised we were on to something interesting, says Baris Burak Kanbur.
The next step is to investigate how the technology performs with other working fluids, including low Global Warming Potential refrigerants, which are widely used in modern heating and cooling systems.
At the same time, the researchers will investigate the underlying physical mechanisms in greater detail, enabling the component to be tailored to different applications.
The potential extends far beyond existing applications. The researchers see opportunities in data centre cooling, industrial refrigeration, seawater desalination and other thermal energy systems where even modest improvements in energy efficiency could make a substantial difference.
The funding has enabled the team to develop and test the first laboratory prototype, demonstrate that the concept works and establish the foundation for larger research proposals. The work has been carried out by Baris Burak Kanbur and Research Assistant Søren Schøler Sundall.
The next objective is to secure external funding to investigate the technology on a larger scale and bring JETJECTOR one step closer to industrial application.
Now, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have taken a step that could change the way the technology is developed.
By combining the classical ejector with a specifically designed jet deflection unit, the researchers have developed JETJECTOR – a new design that not only improves the component's efficiency but also introduces an entirely new capability that conventional ejectors were never designed to control.
Initial laboratory results demonstrate improvements in ejector efficiency ranging from 2,2 to 12,3 per cent, depending on the design.
- We are not creating more energy. We are finding smarter ways to use the energy that is already there. If millions of thermal energy systems become even slightly more efficient, the overall impact could be significant," says Baris Burak Kanbur, Assistant Professor at SDU Mechanical Engineering.
Giving engineers a new opportunity
Although few people have heard of an ejector, the technology is already used in heating and cooling systems and a wide range of industrial processes. It uses pressure differences to move liquids and gases without requiring an additional mechanical or electrical energy input.Until now, engineers have optimised ejectors based on two key characteristics: how much they can increase pressure and how much fluid they can transport.
JETJECTOR introduces a third.
The researchers have developed a design that makes it possible to actively control the balance between liquid and vapour inside the component. This opens up a new way of optimising thermal energy systems and could benefit a wide range of technologies in which phase change plays a central role.
- We are not simply improving an existing component. We are expanding the way ejectors can be designed. This gives engineers a new parameter to work with when developing the thermal energy systems of the future, says Baris Burak Kanbur.
Born from a different research project
The idea emerged while the researchers were studying and further developing a new multiphase-driven fluid oscillator concept.During this work, Baris Burak Kanbur noticed something unexpected. The pressure loss through the component at specific design and operating conditions was much lower than anticipated.
That observation led the research in a new direction by raising a simple question: could this flow mechanism be used in two-phase ejectors?
Then, Research Assistant Søren Schøler Sundall, started to develop a series of different geometries and tested them through advanced simulations and laboratory experiments.
Only after numerous iterations did they find a design that worked. Søren Schøler Sundall also played a central role in developing the laboratory test rig that enabled the team to demonstrate the concept.
- We were surprised that it worked. Our original goal was simply to explore the idea. When the results showed that we could maintain the ejector's normal performance while adding an entirely new capability, we realised we were on to something interesting, says Baris Burak Kanbur.
From the laboratory to future energy systems
So far, the technology has been tested using water and water vapour in computer simulations and laboratory experiments.The next step is to investigate how the technology performs with other working fluids, including low Global Warming Potential refrigerants, which are widely used in modern heating and cooling systems.
At the same time, the researchers will investigate the underlying physical mechanisms in greater detail, enabling the component to be tailored to different applications.
The potential extends far beyond existing applications. The researchers see opportunities in data centre cooling, industrial refrigeration, seawater desalination and other thermal energy systems where even modest improvements in energy efficiency could make a substantial difference.
Proof of Concept paved the way
The project has been supported through SDU RIO's Proof of Concept programme, which helps move promising research ideas from the laboratory towards practical application.The funding has enabled the team to develop and test the first laboratory prototype, demonstrate that the concept works and establish the foundation for larger research proposals. The work has been carried out by Baris Burak Kanbur and Research Assistant Søren Schøler Sundall.
The next objective is to secure external funding to investigate the technology on a larger scale and bring JETJECTOR one step closer to industrial application.