Multi-physics simulation of a CO2 gas cooler.

A CFD model to simulate CO2 gas coolers is presented: the adoption of an equivalent approach allows to reproduce the effects of an extended finned surface while drastically reducing the computational effort. The model is validated with experimental results available in the open literature. The contemporary solution of both convection and conduction allows highlighting the impact of conduction along the tubes and the supporting end plates and provides satisfactory matching with experimental results: total heating power is forecast within 2.5%, while the maximum temperature deviation between the simulated and experimental heat exchanger curves temperature is 3.8, when the CO2 temperature is as high as 108 °C. This thermal CFD model allows to evaluate the 3D effects of the air maldistribution in terms of temperature, heat transfer coefficients, and cooling power, thus opening the way to the simulation and optimisation of complete finned coil and fan gas cooling systems.

本文提出了一种CFD（Computational Fluid Dynamics）模型，用于模拟CO₂气体冷却器：采用等效方法可再现扩展翅片表面的效应，同时大幅降低计算量。该模型通过公开文献中的实验结果进行了验证。同时求解对流与传导过程能够凸显沿管道及支撑端板的传导效应，并与实验结果达成良好匹配：总加热功率的预测误差在2.5%以内；当CO₂温度高达108℃时，模拟与实验所得换热器温度曲线的最大偏差为3.8℃。该热CFD模型可从温度、传热系数及冷却功率角度评估空气分布不均的三维效应，从而为完整翅片盘管与风机气体冷却系统的模拟及优化开辟了道路。