Project case study Simulations & models
Two-phase heat exchanger simulation
Transient modeling of heat transfer, condensation and evaporation.
- Organization
- Frapol
- Discipline
- Simulations & models
The challenge
Experiments alone cannot capture every process inside a periodically reversing counterflow heat exchanger, particularly the formation and evaporation of water films.
Contribution
A three-dimensional transient model was developed to investigate heat and mass transfer and support the microclimate control system design.
Approach
The model coupled continuity, momentum and energy equations with Eulerian Wall Film and species transport models. Periodic boundaries reduced the domain to two representative channels; prototype tests supported validation.
Results
The analysis identified how velocity, temperature, humidity and cycle switching time affect performance. Simulation data supported development of the device control algorithm.
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