.IDEAS.Fluid.Actuators.Valves.Simplified.Thermostatic3WayValve

Information

This model provides an ideal implementation of a thermostatic three way valve. The mass flow rates are adjusted so that the desired temperature is reached as close as possible. Pressure drops are not considered.

Main equations

Water with enthalpy h needs to be mixed such that:

h_out = k * h_in1 + (1-k) * h_in2

this equation defines the mass flow rates:

m_flow_in1 = k * m_flow_out

m_flow_in2 = (1-k) * m_flow_out

Assumptions and limitations

No pressure drops are calculated by this model!

Ideally h_out equals h_set, the enthalpy corresponding to the temperature setpoint. However, if the desired temperature can not be reached through mixing then water from only one stream is used: the stream with the temperature closest to the desired temperature.

The model is not exact around h_in1 = h_in2. Regularization functions are used to ensure smooth behaviour through this transition and to avoid chattering.

Typical use and important parameters

1. The parameter m sets the mass of the fluid contained by the valve.
2. Parameter dT_nominal sets the nominal temperature difference of the inlet ports. It provides an estimate for when to start regularization: when the temperature difference across the inlet ports is smaller than dT/10. Small dT_nominal values may lead to convergence errors, large dT_nominal values cause a greater error when the inlet temperatures are almost equal.

Options

1. Typical options inherited through lumpedVolumeDeclarations can be used.
2. A delayed valve opening can be simulated by setting dynamicValve tot true.
3. The minimum and maximum valve opening can be adjusted.

Validation

Only verification was performed.

Examples of this model can be found in IDEAS.Thermal.Components.Examples.TempMixingTester and IDEAS.Thermal.Components.Examples.RadiatorWithMixingValve

Revisions

• May 15, 2018, by Filip Jorissen:
  Changes for setting unique initial conditions.
• 2014 October, Filip Jorissen, Added parameter for regularization range
• 2014 October, Filip Jorissen, Regularized implementation and documentation
• 2014 May, Filip Jorissen, Both legs can be hot or cold
• 2014 March, Filip Jorissen, Annex60 compatibility
• 2013 May, Roel De Coninck, documentation
• 2013 March, Ruben Baetens, graphics
• 2010, Roel De Coninck, first version