Refrigeration Cycle in Simscape

Refrigeration cycle model in a custom Simscape two-phase flow domain.

This file contains a refrigeration model built using a custom Simscape two-phase flow domain. The model contains a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The R-134a refrigerant leaves the compressor as a hot gas. It condenses in the condenser via heat transfer with the environment. The pressure drops as the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve. The drop in pressure causes the refrigerant to vaporize in the evaporator as it absorbs heat from the refrigerator compartment. The cold gas then returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle. The controller turns the compressor on and off to maintain the refrigerator compartment temperature around the desired temperature.

The fluid properties of the R-134a refrigerant spanning the liquid phase to the vapor phase are described by look-up tables as a function of pressure and specific internal energy. Homogeneous equilibrium is assumed in the phase transition regime. The values are obtained from the NIST Chemistry WebBook "Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Systems":

https://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/fluid/

Please read the README.txt file to get started.

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