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Air Conditioning and Heating

GT-SUITE simulates complete HVAC systems—from refrigerant cycles to cabin comfort—predicting performance and efficiency before physical testing.

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Solution Overview

Comprehensive Refrigerant Circuit Modeling

Refrigerant systems play an increasingly important role in modern thermal management systems. GT-SUITE’s highly-developed solver is robust and stable for two-phase circuits in transient conditions, even with zero flow. A vast library of refrigerant properties are included with the built-in property calculations from NIST REFPROP.

GT-SUITE can model traditional A/C systems as well as heat pumps, supercritical CO2 systems, multiple branch systems and more. Refrigerant circuits can be easily integrated with coolant circuits, cabins, and vehicle and powertrain models for complete system thermal and energy management. 

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Application Highlights

Precision From Component to System

  • Robust Navier-Stokes based solver handles arbitrary initial conditions and zero flow — always stable
  • Faster than real-time calculation speeds enable efficient controls development
  • NIST REFPROP fluid properties source code built in
  • Model all A/C system components individually or as a complete system
  • Spatially resolved condenser and evaporators to capture phase change
  • Automatic component calibration: heat exchangers, compressors, etc.
  • Investigate heat pump systems with any refrigerant (R1234yf, CO2, etc.)
  • Model effects of oil in the refrigerant
  • Wide range of detail for cabin models ranging from 0D to high fidelity models for passenger comfort with GT-TAITherm
Electric Vehicle (EV) thermal management system layout and energy flow

Advanced Features

Highlights of our Airconditioning and Heating Simulation Capabilities

Model complex refrigerant circuits, heat pumps, and CO₂ systems with high-fidelity simulation for accurate performance prediction and complete thermal management analysis.

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Physics-Based Compressor Modeling

Accurately simulate compressor behavior under real operating conditions using first-principles physics. Enables precise performance prediction and supports both design optimization and controls development.

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Intelligent Heat Exchanger Calibration

Estimate heat exchanger performance directly from geometry using predictive correlations, or auto-calibrate to measured data. Reduces test burden and accelerates component integration into system-level models.

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Optimum Refrigerant Charge Determination

Determine the optimal refrigerant charge quantity for any system configuration, including ICE and EV platforms. Shortens development cycles and reduces costly physical testing.

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Full Transient and Steady-State Cycle Simulation

Simulate complete operating cycles from steady-state conditions through demanding transient events such as pull-down and heat-up. Captures real-world system behavior across the full operating envelope.

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Battery Thermal Management via Two-Phase Cooling

Model two-phase refrigerant loops for battery thermal management in electric vehicles, fully integrated with powertrain and HVAC systems. Supports the design of efficient, safe thermal architectures for EV platforms.

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Passenger Comfort Prediction with GT-TAITherm

Couple refrigerant and HVAC circuit models with GT-TAITherm's high-fidelity cabin environment simulation to evaluate occupant thermal comfort. Enables comfort-driven system design without requiring physical prototypes.

Connect with an Expert

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