Thermodynamic Simulation

Heat exchangers are used in many energy and air-conditioning systems. Thermodynamic simulation is a fast and convenient way to accurately calculate the efficiency and determine the optimum number, dimensions, performance and position of the components.

Calculation of thermodynamics, temperature effects and heat transfer

Energy and air-conditioning processes are influenced by the mass flow, velocity, heat transfer coefficient and interdependencies between temperature, pressure and the fluid’s state of matter (e.g. air, water, coolant or refrigerant). Heat exchangers working on that basis, such as plate and fin heat exchangers, are used for example as counter-current or cross-flow heat exchangers in many devices and systems in a broad range of industries.

  • Power plants
  • Solar thermal and geothermal plants
  • District heat systems
  • Heat pumps
  • Refrigeration plants
  • Air-conditioning, heating and ventilation systems (e.g. in buildings, vehicles and aircrafts)
  • Industrial oil and gas installations
  • Cooling of components
The task at hand

Optimum design of thermal fluid systems such as heat exchangers

Major components of thermal fluid systems, apart from heat exchangers, valves, pipes, pumps or fans, are compressors, condensers, capillary tubes, expansion valves and evaporators. With system simulation, you determine the optimum number, dimensions and position of components and find the most suitable combination of flow direction, flow rates as well as pressure and temperature ratios. This helps you increase the energy efficiency of your products, save materials and reduce the required installation space.

Analysis of thermal effects on mechanical, electrical and fluidic properties

Density, viscosity, elasticity, damping and magnetic properties as well as electrical conductivity of fluids and solids can change with heat input or heat removal. This can be caused by ambient conditions, but also by process heat or heat loss within the machine. You can run a reliable analysis of such effects with the help of a virtual simulation model of your physical system and thermodynamic simulations.

The solution

Modeling and simulation of thermodynamic systems

Simulation software is a helpful and efficient tool to identify the optimum number, dimensions and position of the components and the best configuration of pressure, mass flow and flow direction for thermal fluid systems. You can simulate the pressure drop of a gas at falling temperatures as well as its energetic behavior during phase transitions. You can quickly create a thermodynamic model and analyse the various configurations without any prototyping efforts. Through simulations of thermal effects on mechanical, electrical and fluidic assemblies, you get robust feedback on the behavior of your machine under varying ambient conditions, over long operating periods or under heat input from mechanical or electrical work.

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25 years of ESI ITI engineering

ESI ITI’s experts assist you with their engineering expertise and know-how in system simulation. Just ask. We are happy to help.

Getting started with system simulation

ESI ITI’s experts assist you with their engineering expertise and know-how in system simulation. Just ask. We are happy to help.

Energy technology

How manufacturers and operators of energy systems benefit from software for system simulation.