Numerical Simulation on a Transient High Heat Flux Density Thermal Management System

Abstract In this work, a one-dimensional simulation model is developed to investigate a transient high heat flux density thermal management system. A specific heat capacity at constant pressure equivalent model is applied to simulate the capacity of the phase change heat storage heat exchanger. Based on the experimental results, the simulation model is validated, with which the simulation accuracy ranges from 92.3% to 98.3%. Then, the cooling plate inlet temperature, vapor cycle system cooling capacity and compressor power are numerically analyzed. The comparison with a thermal management system without using phase change heat exchanger is also conducted. The simulation results demonstrate that the system using phase change heat exchanger exhibits a smoother variation in cooling plate inlet temperature, which can be maintained at around 15°C. The results from this work can help to better understand and then design a transient high heat flux density thermal management system.