Simulation and measurement on the full-load performance of a refrigeration system in a shipping container

A mathematical model of a refrigeration system in a shipping container has been developed to allow for full-load simulation of its thermal performance. Sub-models are created on the key components: compressor, evaporator, condenser, and thermostatic expansion valve. The sub-models are then coupled by appropriate mass and energy transfer relations to form the full model. Comparison with a series of cooling capacity tests conducted on a 2.2 m (40 ft) fullscale container housed in a temperature-controlled environmental test chamber indicates good agreement, with simulation results being within ±10% uncertainty of measurements.