VCL Version 4.0

Vapor Cycle Library 4.0 is part of Modelon's 2025.2 release. New versions of Modelon's libraries are sold and distributed directly from Modelon, as well as approved resellers.

Version 4.0 contains the changes described below.

New features

Redesigned start value dialogs

All components with fluid (refrigerant or air) have received updated dialogs for the starting point of the fluid. There are both changes to appearance (tab, group and parameter names and descriptions), as well as new ways for specifying the starting point of the fluid.

Name changes

  • The Initialization tab was renamed "Starting point" and in general, the "initial point" is now referred to as the "starting point" instead.
  • The parameter that select between different options of how to find the starting point (solving for steady-state or directly using the given point) has been renamed from "initOpt" to "howToStart".
  • All fluid properties at the starting point (e.g. p_start, T_start, h_start) are now collected in parameter record called "startingPoint". The corresponding parameters to modify are instead, e.g.  startingPoint.p, startingPoint.T, startingPoint.h.
  • The selector parameter "initFromEnthalpy" that determined whether a fluid starting point was determined from a given temperature or enthalpy value has been replaced by an enumeration (multiple avaliable selections) named "whatToSet". Change the whatToSet option to access different property combinations to define the starting point.

New options for giving the fluid starting point

Components for refrigerant previously only had the option to give specific enthalpy for points in the two-phase region. In single-phase regions, temperature could alternatively be given.

The new available options are

  • Pressure and temperature or vapor quality. Give a pressure value and select if the fluid is saturated or not. If it is saturated, vapor quality can be given to define the point in the two-phase region. If it is not saturated, temperature is given.
  • Pressure and superheat. Give a pressure value and a superheat (temperature difference above the dew point) to specify a starting point in the vapor region.
  • Pressure and subcooling. Give a pressure value and a subcooling (temperature difference below the boiling point) to specify a starting point in the vapor region.
  • Dew line temperature and superheat. Give the dew line temperature and a superheat value to specify a starting point in the vapor region.
  • Bubble line temperature and subcooling. Give the bubble line temperature and a subcooling value to specify a starting point in the liquid region.

For components with indernal distributed states (pipe, heat exchangers) the above options are available, but both inlet and outlet values have to be given.

Additionally there is an option for the typical capillary tube operation, where the inlet state is defined by the pressure and subcooling and the oulet state is defined by the pressure and enthalpy change relative to the inlet point.

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