A modified solar-enhanced hybrid ejector-vapor compression cycle: Energy, exergy, economic, and environmental assessment.

The integration of solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycles with conventional vapor-compression refrigeration cycles (VCRC) offers significant potential for energy conservation in air-conditioning systems. To enhance VCRC performance, this study proposes a solar-assisted hybrid ejector-compression refrigeration cycle (ECRC) that employs a subcooler to couple the ejector cycle with the VCRC, using the low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant R290. The ECRC employs a solar-driven ejector cycle to enhance the primary vapor compression cycle by increasing the subcooling degree, thereby improving system performance. This work theoretically investigates the ECRC performance compared to the standard VCRC via a comprehensive 4E (energy, exergy, economic, environmental) analysis. Results show that at the optimal intermediate temperature, optimized via the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, the ECRC achieves a 9.0 % improvement in coefficient of performance (COP) and a 15.1 % increase in volumetric cooling capacity (Qev) over the VCRC. Exergy analysis reveals that the generator accounts for approximately 47.4 % of total exergy destruction, indicating optimization potential. Economically, the ECRC reduces exergy production cost by 7.9–12.7 %, demonstrating better returns. Environmentally, the ECRC with R290 cuts carbon emissions by 7.90 % compared to the VCRC. Overall, the ECRC exhibits strong potential for sustainable air-conditioning applications.