A Dynamic Model for Vapor-Cycle Cooling Systems

A dynamic simulation model has been developed for a vapor-cycle cooling system designed for aircraft applications using the latest technology developments. The heat exchanger models use multiple-, lumped-parameter, fixed-length elements based on coupled thermal and mass storage effects, and flow equations that incorporate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction. This model is developed to include the two-phase constant pressure temperature gradient unique to refrigerant mixtures. The full system model incorporates global mass conservation which is essential for accurate pressure levels and, thus, dynamic response and steady state performance. Phase boundary-based coordinate transformations on the nonazeotropic refrigerant mixture property data result in improved accuracy and computation efficiency. The simulation is developed with modular components with causality defined to minimize connection states and thus execution time.