Constant Volume Chamber (MA)
Fixed volume capacity with a variable number of humid air ports.
blockType: AcausalFoundation.MoistAir.Elements.ConstantVolumeChamber
Path in the library:
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Description
Block Constant Volume Chamber (MA) simulates the accumulation of mass and energy in a humid air network. There is a constant volume of moist air in the tank. The tank can exchange mass and energy with the connected humid air network and exchange heat with the environment, allowing the internal pressure and temperature to change over time. The pressure and temperature vary depending on the compressibility and heat capacity of the volume of moist air. Water condenses from the volume of moist air when saturation is reached.
Conservation of mass
The block’s equations use the following notation:
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— mass consumption;
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— energy consumption;
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— heat consumption;
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— pressure;
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— density;
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— universal gas constant;
-
— the volume of humid air inside the chamber;
-
— specific heat at constant volume;
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— specific enthalpy;
-
— specific internal energy;
-
— mass fraction ( — specific humidity, which is otherwise called the mass fraction of water vapor);
-
— molar fraction;
-
— relative humidity;
-
— humidity coefficient;
-
— the mass ratio of water droplets to moist air;
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— temperature;
-
— the time.
Subscript indexes:
-
and — properties of dry air, water vapor, impurity gas and water droplets, respectively;
-
— water vapor at saturation;
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and — the appropriate port;
-
— properties of the internal volume of humid air.
The net consumption of moist air in the tank is:
where
-
— mass flow rate of condensation;
-
— the rate of evaporation of water droplets;
-
— consumption of condensate energy loss;
-
— parameter value Fraction of condensate entrained as water droplets;
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— consumption of added energy by sources of moisture and impurity gas;
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and — the mass flow of water and impurity gas through the port S, respectively.
Values and They are determined by the sources of moisture and impurity gas connected to the S port of the camera, or by the values of the corresponding parameters.
If no ports are used, then the terms of the equation with the subscript corresponding to the port name are equal to 0.
The equation of conservation of mass of water vapor relates the mass flow rate of water vapor with the dynamics of the humidity level in the internal volume of humid air:
Similarly, the equation of conservation of impurity gas mass relates the mass flow rate of impurity gas to the dynamics of the impurity gas level in the internal volume of humid air:
The equation of conservation of mass of water droplets relates the mass flow rate of water droplets to the dynamics of entrained water droplets in the internal volume of humid air:
The equation of conservation of mass of a mixture relates the mass flow rate of a mixture to the dynamics of pressure, temperature, and mass fractions of the internal volume of moist air.:
Finally, the energy conservation equation relates energy consumption to the dynamics of pressure, temperature, and mass fractions of the internal volume of humid air.:
The equation of state relates the density of a mixture to pressure and temperature:
The universal gas constant of the mixture is:
Flow resistance and thermal resistance in the chamber are not modeled:
When the volume of humid air reaches saturation, condensation of moisture may occur. The specific humidity at saturation is
where
-
— relative humidity of the air at saturation (usually );
-
— saturation pressure of water vapor, estimated at temperature .
The mass flow rate of condensation is:
where — parameter value Water vapor condensation time constant.
The evaporation rate of water droplets is:
where — parameter value Water droplets evaporation time constant.
Assumptions and limitations
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The walls of the chamber are absolutely rigid.
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There is no flow resistance between ports A, B, C, D and the inside of the camera. To simulate the flow resistance at the entrances to the chamber, use the blocks Variable Local Restriction (MA) and Flow Resistance (MA).
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There is no thermal resistance between the H port and the inside of the camera. Use the thermal library blocks to simulate the thermal resistance between the humid air mixture and the surrounding environment, including any thermal effects of the chamber wall.
Variables
Use the parameter group Initial Targets to set the priority and initial target values for the block parameter variables before modeling. For more information, see Configuring physical blocks using target values.
Ports
Output
#
W
—
mass flow rate of condensation, kg/s
scalar
Details
The output port of the signal measuring the mass flow rate of condensation in the chamber.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
F
—
a vector signal containing data on pressure, temperature, humidity, and the level of impurity gases
vector
Details
The output port that outputs the vector signal. The vector contains the results of measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity level and impurity gas level inside the component. To decompress this vector signal, use the block Measurement Selector (MA).
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
Conserving
#
H
—
temperature inside the container
warm
Details
A thermal port related to the temperature of the humid air inside the tank.
| Program usage name |
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#
B
—
entering the tank
humid air
Details
The humid air port corresponding to the second entrance to the tank.
Dependencies
To use this port, set the parameter Number of ports meaning 2, 3 or 4.
| Program usage name |
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#
D
—
entering the tank
humid air
Details
The humid air port corresponding to the fourth entrance to the tank.
Dependencies
To use this port, set the parameter Number of ports meaning 4.
| Program usage name |
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#
A
—
entering the tank
humid air
Details
The humid air port corresponding to the tank entrance.
| Program usage name |
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#
S
—
adding or removing moisture and impurity gas
humid air
Details
The port of the humid air source. Connect this port to the S port of the unit with a finite volume of humid air to add or remove moisture and impurity gas.
Dependencies
To use this port, set the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Controlled.
| Program usage name |
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#
C
—
entering the tank
humid air
Details
The humid air port corresponding to the third entrance to the tank.
Dependencies
To use this port, set the parameter Number of ports meaning 3 or 4.
| Program usage name |
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Parameters
Initial Conditions
# Initial trace gas mass fraction — the amount of impurity gas in the humid air channel
Details
The amount of impurity gas in moist air by mass fraction at the beginning of the simulation. The mass fraction is determined relative to the total mass of water vapor, impurity gas, and dry air.
The block ignores this parameter if for the parameter Trace gas model in the block Moist Air Properties (MA) the value is set None.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial trace gas specification meaning Mass fraction.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial humidity ratio priority —
priority of the humidity coefficient parameter
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial humidity ratio during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Humidity ratio.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial wet-bulb temperature priority —
the priority of the temperature parameter according to the wet thermometer
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial wet-bulb temperature during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Wet-bulb temperature.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial trace gas mass fraction priority —
priority of the parameter of the mass fraction of impurity gases
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial trace gas mass fraction during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial trace gas specification meaning Mass fraction.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Initial water vapor mole fraction — molar fraction of water vapor at the beginning of the simulation
Details
The molar fraction of water vapor in a moist air channel at the beginning of the simulation. The molar fraction of water vapor is determined relative to the total molar amount of water vapor, impurities, and dry air.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Mole fraction.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial temperature priority —
priority of the temperature parameter
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial temperature during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Initial humidity ratio — humidity coefficient at the beginning of the simulation
Details
The humidity coefficient in the humid air channel at the beginning of the simulation. The humidity coefficient is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the mass of dry air and impurity gases.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Humidity ratio.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Initial trace gas mole fraction — molar fraction of impurity gas at the beginning of the simulation
Details
The amount of impurity gas in the moist air channel by molar fraction at the beginning of the simulation. The molar fraction is determined relative to the total molar amount of water vapor, impurity gas, and dry air.
The block ignores this parameter if for the parameter Trace gas model in the block Moist Air Properties (MA) the value is set None.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial trace gas specification meaning Mole fraction.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial pressure —
humid air pressure at the beginning of the simulation
Pa | uPa | hPa | kPa | MPa | GPa | kgf/m^2 | kgf/cm^2 | kgf/mm^2 | mbar | bar | kbar | atm | ksi | psi | mmHg | inHg
Details
The pressure of humid air at the beginning of the simulation.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Initial relative humidity — relative humidity at the beginning of the simulation
Details
The relative humidity of the humid air at the beginning of the simulation. Relative humidity is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the saturation pressure of water vapor, or the ratio of the molar fraction of water vapor to the molar fraction of water vapor at saturation.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Relative humidity.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial specific humidity priority —
priority of the specific humidity parameter
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial specific humidity during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Specific humidity.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial humidity specification —
the method of setting humidity
Relative humidity | Specific humidity | Mole fraction | Humidity ratio | Wet-bulb temperature
Details
A method for determining the initial humidity of humid air.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Initial mass ratio of water droplets to moist air — the ratio of water droplets to moist air
Details
The initial mass ratio of water droplets to moist air.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial water vapor mole fraction priority —
priority of the parameter of the initial molar fraction of water vapor
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial water vapor mole fraction during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Mole fraction.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial temperature —
temperature at the beginning of the simulation
K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR
Details
The initial temperature of the humid air.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Initial specific humidity — specific humidity at the beginning of the simulation
Details
The specific humidity of the humid air at the beginning of the simulation. Specific humidity is the mass fraction of water vapor relative to the total mass of water vapor, impurities, and dry air.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Specific humidity.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial trace gas specification —
type of impurity gas measurement
Mass fraction | Mole fraction
Details
The type of impurity gas measurement.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial wet-bulb temperature —
the temperature according to the wet thermometer at the beginning of the simulation
K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR
Details
The temperature according to the wet thermometer at the beginning of the simulation. The unit uses this value to calculate humidity.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Wet-bulb temperature.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial pressure priority —
priority of the pressure parameter
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial pressure during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial relative humidity priority —
priority of the initial relative humidity parameter
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial relative humidity during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial humidity specification meaning Relative humidity.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial mass ratio of water droplets to moist air priority —
the priority of the parameter of the ratio of the mass of water droplets to moist air
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial mass ratio of water droplets to moist air during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Initial trace gas mole fraction priority —
priority of the parameter of the molar fraction of the impurity gas
None | Low | High
Details
The priority that the solver assigns to the parameter Initial trace gas mole fraction during block initialization.
Set this parameter to High to determine the initial conditions. You may need to set this parameter to Low or None if this initial condition conflicts with the initial conditions of another block.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Initial trace gas specification meaning Mole fraction.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
Moisture and Trace Gas
#
Temperature of added moisture —
moisture temperature
K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR
Details
The temperature of the moisture. This temperature remains constant during the simulation. The unit uses this value only to estimate the specific enthalpy of added moisture. The specific enthalpy of the removed moisture is determined based on the temperature of the chamber.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant, and for the parameter Added moisture temperature specification — value Specified temperature.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Added trace gas temperature specification —
the method of setting the temperature of the impurity gas
Atmospheric temperature | Specified temperature
Details
Selection of the method for setting the temperature of the impurity gas:
-
Atmospheric temperature— atmospheric temperature is used. -
Specified temperature— the value is set using the parameter Temperature of added trace gas.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Added moisture temperature specification —
method for setting the moisture temperature
Atmospheric temperature | Specified temperature
Details
Choosing a method for setting the moisture temperature:
-
Atmospheric temperature— atmospheric temperature is used. -
Specified temperature— the value is set using the parameter Temperature of added moisture.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Temperature of added trace gas —
impurity gas temperature
K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR
Details
The temperature of the impurity gas. This temperature remains constant during the simulation. The unit uses this value only to estimate the specific enthalpy of the added impurity gas. The specific enthalpy of the impurity gas removed is determined based on the temperature of the chamber.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant, and for the parameter Added trace gas temperature specification — value Specified temperature.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Water vapor condensation time constant —
condensation time constant
s | ns | us | ms | min | hr | d
Details
The time for the supersaturated volume of humid air to return to saturation level due to condensation of excess moisture.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Water droplets evaporation time constant —
evaporation time constant
s | ns | us | ms | min | hr | d
Details
The characteristic time it takes for water droplets to evaporate, turning into steam.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rate of trace gas added —
constant mass flow through the source
kg/s | kg/hr | kg/min | g/hr | g/min | g/s | t/hr | lbm/hr | lbm/min | lbm/s
Details
The mass flow rate of the impurity gas through the source.
A positive value adds impurity gas to the connected humid air network. A negative value removes the impurity gas from this network.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Moisture added or removed —
add or remove moisture in the form of steam or water
Water vapor | Water droplets
Details
Choose the form in which the source adds or removes moisture.: in the form of steam or water:
-
Water vapor— the enthalpy of added or removed moisture corresponds to the enthalpy of water vapor, which is greater than the enthalpy of water. -
Water droplets— the enthalpy of added or removed moisture corresponds to the enthalpy of water, which is less than the enthalpy of water vapor.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Moisture and trace gas source —
source of moisture and impurity gases
None | Constant | Controlled
Details
This parameter controls the use of the S port and provides the following features for modeling moisture and impurity gas levels inside the unit:
-
None— no moisture or impurity gas is introduced into or extracted from the unit. The S port is hidden. This value is used by default. -
Constant— moisture and impurity gas are supplied to the unit or extracted from it at a constant flow rate. The same parameters as in the blocks Moisture Source (MA) and Trace Gas Source (MA), become available in the block settings. The S port is hidden. -
Controlled— moisture and impurity gas are introduced into or removed from the unit at a time-varying flow rate. Port S is available. The blocks are connected to this port Moisture Source (MA) and Trace Gas Source (MA).
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Water vapor evaporated from liquid or condensed to liquid — add or remove water vapor
Details
Select the method of adding or removing water vapor by the unit:
-
If unchecked, the enthalpy of added or removed moisture corresponds to the enthalpy of water vapor, which is greater than the enthalpy of water.
-
If this option is selected, the enthalpy of added or removed moisture corresponds to the enthalpy of water, which is less than the enthalpy of water vapor.
When water vapor is added, it evaporates from the liquid, and the latent heat is released by the bound volume of the liquid. When water vapor is removed, it condenses into a liquid, and latent heat is released to the associated volume of liquid.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant, and for the parameter Moisture added or removed meaning Water vapor.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Relative humidity at saturation — relative humidity, above which moisture condensation occurs
Details
The relative humidity above which condensation occurs.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Fraction of condensate entrained as water droplets — the proportion of condensate in water droplets
Details
The proportion of condensate in moist air that is entrained in the form of water droplets.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rate of moisture added —
constant mass flow through the source
kg/s | kg/hr | kg/min | g/hr | g/min | g/s | t/hr | lbm/hr | lbm/min | lbm/s
Details
The mass flow of moisture through the source.
A positive value adds moisture to the chamber. A negative value removes moisture from the chamber.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Moisture and trace gas source meaning Constant.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
Main
#
Chamber volume —
the volume of moist air in the tank
m^3 | um^3 | mm^3 | cm^3 | km^3 | ml | l | gal | igal | in^3 | ft^3 | yd^3 | mi^3
Details
The volume of moist air in the tank. The container is rigid, so its volume remains constant during simulation. It is assumed that the chamber is always completely filled with moist air.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Cross-sectional area at port B —
the area normal to the flow path at the entrance to the tank
m^2 | um^2 | mm^2 | cm^2 | km^2 | in^2 | ft^2 | yd^2 | mi^2 | ha | ac
Details
The cross-sectional area of the container inlet at port B in the direction normal to the humid air flow path.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Number of ports meaning 2, 3 or 4.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Cross-sectional area at port C —
the area normal to the flow path at the entrance to the tank
m^2 | um^2 | mm^2 | cm^2 | km^2 | in^2 | ft^2 | yd^2 | mi^2 | ha | ac
Details
The cross-sectional area of the container inlet at port C in the direction normal to the humid air flow path.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Number of ports meaning 3 or 4.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Cross-sectional area at port A —
the area normal to the flow path at the entrance to the tank
m^2 | um^2 | mm^2 | cm^2 | km^2 | in^2 | ft^2 | yd^2 | mi^2 | ha | ac
Details
The cross-sectional area of the inlet to the container at port A in the direction normal to the path of the humid air flow.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Cross-sectional area at port D —
the area normal to the flow path at the entrance to the tank
m^2 | um^2 | mm^2 | cm^2 | km^2 | in^2 | ft^2 | yd^2 | mi^2 | ha | ac
Details
The cross-sectional area of the container inlet at port D in the direction normal to the humid air flow path.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set for the parameter Number of ports meaning 4.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Number of ports —
number of input ports in capacity
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Details
The number of input ports to the camera. The camera can have from one to four ports marked from A to D. When you change the parameter value, the corresponding ports are displayed or hidden in the block display.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |