Numerical verification of the condenser finite volume model

Numerical modelling of vapour compression systems is very useful for performance optimization through the implementation of suitable model-based control applications; in this context the heat exchangers are the most challenging component to devise, due to phase transition and ensuing discontinuities of the physical properties, and one tool which has proven itself suitable for the task is the finite volume method. A numerical verification of a finite volume model of a brazed plate condenser in counterflow arrangement is carried out, employing a fixed timestep solver; some useful guidelines are suggested to properly choose the solver order, the integration step size and the number of grid elements, balancing the accuracy of the predictions with computational time and model stability and flexibility during the transients, with the ultimate goal to provide a model suited for real-time simulations and control-oriented applications.