Select a Heat Exchanger Block

Heat exchangers in Simscape™ Fluids™ can model heat transfer between different types of fluids in several physical scenarios. They have many possible applications, such as in cooling systems, refrigeration systems, or air conditioners. Choosing the correct heat exchanger for your application depends on the system you are modeling and the information that you have about the heat exchanger performance. Heat exchanger blocks are complex and can be difficult to tune in large models. When developing a model or modifying a heat exchanger block in a large model, use a separate test harness model to parameterize or adjust the heat exchanger.

Types of Heat Exchanger Blocks in Simscape Fluids

Choose a heat exchanger that matches the type of heat exchanger you need to model and that matches your working fluid. This table summarizes the different types of heat exchanger blocks available.

Type	Blocks	Description	Examples
E-NTU heat exchangers	Heat Exchanger (TL-MA) Condenser Evaporator (2P-MA) Condenser Evaporator (2P-G) Condenser Evaporator (TL-2P) Heat Exchanger (G-G) Heat Exchanger (TL-TL) Heat Exchanger (G-TL)	These blocks model heat exchange by using the effectiveness-NTU method and use geometry based parameters to specify the design and performance of the heat exchanger. Use these blocks to model several geometries, such as shell-and-tube or double tube heat exchangers. A set of geometry and flow arrangement parameters do not describe a unique physical scenario. For each choice of parameters, there are multiple ways to physically realize the heat exchanger.	Condenser and Evaporator Heat Transfer Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Residential Refrigerator Hydrogen Refueling Station Hydraulic Oil System with Thermal Control
System-level heat exchangers	System-Level Condenser Evaporator (2P-MA) System-Level Heat Exchanger (G-G) System-Level Heat Exchanger (MA-MA) System-Level Heat Exchanger (TL-TL) System-Level Heat Exchanger (TL-G) System-Level Heat Exchanger (TL-MA) System-Level Heat Exchanger (2P-2P) System-Level Condenser Evaporator (2P-G) System-Level Condenser Evaporator (2P-TL)	Nominal performance data parameters specify the block behavior. The parameters do not define specific information about geometry, but do quantify performance and operating conditions. The accuracy may decrease far away from the specified operating conditions. Use these blocks if you do not have detailed information on heat exchanger characteristics. When first developing a model it can be helpful to start with a system-level heat exchanger. If you have more detailed geometry information, you can convert to an E-NTU heat exchanger, which are generally harder to debug, when the model is mature and stable.	Liquid Air Energy Storage System Refrigeration Cycle (Air Conditioning) Reversible Heat Pump
Specific dissipation heat exchangers	Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (G-TL) Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (TL-TL) Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (G-G)	These blocks use a simplified model that uses a specific dissipation method to calculate heat transfer. Parameterize the blocks with tabulated performance data that accounts for information about the heat exchanger, such as the flow arrangement or mixing condition. These blocks only function within the bounds of the performance data, so you must specify data for the full range of operating conditions. These blocks require more data, but may be more accurate in the data range.	EV Battery Cooling System
Half heat exchangers	Heat Exchanger (TL) Heat Exchanger (G) Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (TL) Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (G)	These blocks model heat exchange between a fluid network and a controlled fluid, instead of between two fluid networks. Physical signal ports and a thermal port specify the control fluid characteristics. Use these blocks in simple systems to model heat transfer in one network. These blocks can use either the E-NTU or Specific dissipation heat methods.	Engine Cooling System House Heating System
Heat exchangers for specific geometries and applications	Plate Heat Exchanger (TL-TL) Plate Condenser Evaporator (TL-2P) Cooling Tower (TL-MA)	These blocks model heat exchangers for specific geometries or application areas.	Data Center Cooling

Fundamental Component Blocks

These blocks represent fundamental components of specific dissipation, gas and thermal liquid E-NTU, and half heat exchangers:

• E-NTU Heat Transfer

• Heat Exchanger Interface (G)

• Heat Exchanger Interface (TL)

• Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger Interface (TL)

• Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger Interface (G)

• Specific Dissipation Heat Transfer

In most scenarios, you do not need to use the fundamental component blocks. You can use them to model a heat exchanger with fluid flowing in multiple different paths. Specific dissipation, gas and thermal liquid E-NTU, and half heat exchanger blocks are composite components built from the blocks in the Fundamental Components block library. To see the components that make up each block, read the reference page for that block. For example, the Heat Exchanger (G-TL) comprises three fundamental component blocks. A Heat Exchanger Interface (G) block models the gas flow, a Heat Exchanger Interface (TL) block models the thermal liquid flow, and an E-NTU Heat Transfer block models the heat exchanged across the wall between the flows.