This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
e-Thermal: Automobile Air-Conditioning Module
Technical Paper
2004-01-1509
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
e-Thermal is a vehicle level thermal analysis tool developed by General Motors to simulate the transient performance of the entire vehicle HVAC and Powertrain cooling system. It is currently in widespread (global) use across GM. This paper discusses the details of the air-conditioning module of e-Thermal. Most of the literature available on transient modeling of the air conditioning systems is based on finite difference approach that require large simulation times. This has been overcome by appropriately modeling the components using Sinda/Fluint. The basic components of automotive air conditioning system, evaporator, condenser, compressor and expansion valve, are parametrically modeled in Sinda/Fluint. For each component, physical characteristics and performance data is collected in form of component data standards. This performance data is used to curve fit parameters that then reproduce the component performance. These components are then integrated together to form various A/C system configurations including orifice tube systems, txv systems and dual evaporator systems. The A/C subsystem uses airflow rates, temperatures, humidity's and compressor speed as inputs. The outputs include overall system energy balance, system COP, refrigerant flow rates and system pressures. The A/C simulation runs about three times faster to three times slower than real time. The modeling technique used is also capable of tracking the effect of system charge on the overall system performance. A database of automotive air conditioning components accompanies the simulation tool. This database is then integrated in e-Thermal to provide the component data for modeling. Validation results for component level models are demonstrated. They form the basis of system level models. System level validation is also demonstrated. The simulation times vary from 3 times faster than real time to 5 times slower than real time depending on the nature of the simulation.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | A Dynamic Model of Automotive Air Conditioning Systems |
Technical Paper | e-Thermal: A Vehicle-Level HVAC/PTC Simulation Tool |
Technical Paper | Model to Simulate the Behavior of Accumulators in Automotive Air Conditioning Systems |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Anand, G., Mahajan, M., Jain, N., Maniam, B. et al., "e-Thermal: Automobile Air-Conditioning Module," SAE Technical Paper 2004-01-1509, 2004, https://doi.org/10.4271/2004-01-1509.Also In
Heat Exchangers and Their Simulation, Thermal Management, and Fundamental Advances in Thermal and Fluid Sciences
Number: SP-1818; Published: 2004-03-08
Number: SP-1818; Published: 2004-03-08
References
- 1998 NIST Thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland
- Domanski, P.A. EVSIM - An evaporator simulation model accounting for refrigerant and one-dimensional air distribution 1998
- Domanski, P.A. Simulation of an evaporator with non-uniform one-dimensional air distribution ASHRAE Transactions 1991 793 802
- Conde, M.R. Sutter, P. Simulation of direct fired evaporator coils for direct fired air-source heat pumps International Congress of Refrigeration Montreal 1992 1459 1463
- Sami, S.M. Zhou, Y. Numerical prediction of heat pump dynamic behavior using ternary non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures International Journal of Energy Research 1995 19 35
- Jacobsen, A. Energy optimization of refrigeration systems The Technical University of Denmark 1995
- Willatzen, M. Pettit, N. B. O. L. Ploug-Sorensen, L. A general dynamic simulation model for evaporators and condensers in refrigeration. Part I: moving boundary formulation of two phase flows with heat exchange International Journal of Refrigeration 21 5 1998 398 403
- Pettit, N. B. O. L. Willatzen, M. Ploug-Sorensen, L. A general dynamic simulation model for evaporators and condensers in refrigeration. Part II: simulation and control of an evaporator International Journal of Refrigeration 21 5 1998 404 414
- Sinda/Fluint Version 4.3 Users Manual
- Oskarsson, S. P. Krakow, K. I. Lin, S. Evaporator models for operations with dry wet and frosted finned surfaces Part I: Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Theory ASHRAE Transactions 96 1990 373 380
- Xiaoqiang, X. Clodic, D. Dynamic simulation model of a vapor compression domestic refrigerator running with R134a Proceedings of International Refrigeration Conference Purdue 1996
- Browne, M. W. Bansal, P. K. Steady state modeling of centrifugal liquid chillers International Journal of Refrigeration 21 5 1997 343 358
- Fischer, S.K. Rice, C.K. The Oak Ridge heat pump model Oak Ridge National Laboratory ORNL/CON-80/R1 1983
- Tiedemann, T. Kruse, H. Simulation of the transient behavior of household refrigerators and freezers Proceedings - International Refrigeration Conference Purdue 1994 191 198
- Mullen, C.E. Bridges, B.D. Porter, K.J. Gregory W.H. Clark, W.B. Development and validation of a room air-conditioning simulation model ASHRAE Transactions 1998 104 389 397
- Kim, Y. O'Neal, D.L. Two-phase flow of R-22 through short-tube orifices ASHRAE Transactions 100 Jan 1994 323 334
- Singh, G. M. Hrnjak, P.S. Bullard, C.W. Flow of refrigerant 134a through orifice tubes HVAC&R Research 7 3 July 2001 245 262
- Lenger, M.J Jacobi, A.M. Hrnjak, P.S. Superheat Stability of an Evaporator and Thermostatic Expansion Valve University of Illionis 1998
- Monforte, R. Identification for an automotive application thermostatic expansion valve SAE- 2001-01-1700
- Monforte, R. An improved numerical model for thermostatic expansion valves used in automotive air-conditioning systems SAE- 2003-01-0739
- Schwarz, T. Galluzzi, M. Richardson, D. Radermacher, R. Dickson, T. McGregor, I. Model to Investigate The Performance Of Accumulators In Vapor Compression Systems Purdue Conference Proceedings 2004
- Anand, G. Transient and steady state model of a household refrigerator University of Maryland College Park 1999