Techno-economic assessment of solar-driven ejector refrigeration system assisted with daytime radiative condenser

Solar-driven ejector refrigeration is an emerging technology, but not sustainable due to huge heat rejection to the environment, leading to the heat island effect. However, this can be made sustainable by utilizing a daytime radiative condenser, but not yet been explored. Hence, a novel solar-driven ejector refrigeration system assisted with a daytime radiative condenser is investigated based on energy, exergy and economic perspectives. This system is powered by a parabolic trough collector along with thermal energy storage and double two-phase ejectors. The system performance is optimized by employing the genetic algorithm. The impact of several operating scenarios and seasonal climatic conditions is explored for different refrigerants. The best optimum coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency are obtained with the R123, but the total cost and radiative condenser area are lowest with the R1234ze(E). The performance is higher with lower ambient and radiative condenser temperatures but with higher solar irradiation for all three refrigerants. The performance is maximum during December for Jaisalmer and January for Varanasi and Kolkata, while lowest in May for Jaisalmer and June for Varanasi and Kolkata. The specific total cost and radiative condenser area are maximum from July to August for all considered locations. This study reveals the proposed system as a promising option, but the large space requirement may be the main hurdle behind the practical implementation.