This paper first presents the results from an experimental study of a conventional steam jet ejector refrigeration system and compares the performance with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results of the same. Secondly, it describes a method of developing a variable area supersonic ejector and presents experimental results of the operating performance of the variable area ejector over the same operating conditions. The two ejectors were experimentally tested for boiler temperatures below 120 degrees C and an evaporator temperature below 15 degrees C. It was found that the steam jet refrigeration system can operate with stability at low boiler temperatures of around 90 degrees C and supersonic ejector can enhance the performance of the refrigeration system by eliminating the shock from the ejector. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.