Calibration of a Chiller Modelica model with experimental data

Abstract

The modelling and calibration of industrial chillers can bechallenging, especially when few measurements with a largeuncertainty are available. The use of an approximatecalibration model is investigated to explore its potentialin calibrating a chiller model, constructed in Modelica.Based on the results of a well-instrumented experimentalrig of a chiller at the EDF laboratory recorded over fivedays, with a varying outdoor air temperature, anapproximated steady analysis is carried out by calibratingthe Modelica model with the experimental results (mass flowrate, temperatures, pressures). The results indicate a goodmatch between the calibrated model and the experiments anda physical sensitivity in the parameters of the model,consistent with the operation of the machine (isentropicefficiency, compressor flow rate, evaporator overheatregulation). Further work can be done on the unsteadymeasurements recorded on the chiller to improve the modeland its stochastic calibration.