Computer Simulation of Automotive Air-Conditioning Condensers

This paper presents a simulation model to predict the thermal performance of automotive air-conditioning condensers. Operation of the air-conditioning system and the function of the condenser are discussed briefly. Details of the formulation to calculate various performance characteristics are given. Potential applications of the corresponding computer program are described. Comparison of the computer results to test data shows that the model predicts heat rejections within 3-7% and air discharge temperatures within 0.5 F of the laboratory test data.