THERMODYNAMICS
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.
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Heat pumps
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Cooling systems
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HVAC systems
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District heating systems
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Refrigeration plants
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Industrial oil and gas installations
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Power plants
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Solar thermal and geothermal plants
Optimizing the 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 fluid 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.
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 analyze 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.
Simulating energy-efficient air supply and air conditioning
Air conditioning systems use lower pressures than typical pneumatic applications. Physical correlations are, however, similar. Due to pressure drops, branched systems and the challenge to come up with low-energy low-cost plant designs, the following questions are crucial to product development.
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How should the system be designed to provide the required air volume at each of the air outlets?
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What is the optimal configuration of cross sections and orifices?
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Which air flow can be delivered to which outlet? A simulation model allows you to find the best suited configuration early in the conceptual phase.