Modular Modeling of a Refrigeration Container

This paper presents the modeling of a refrigeration container for use as a reference for energy-optimizing controller design. The model is based on first principles in order to conserve mass and energy, but various assumptions are used to simplify the equations, resulting in a unified model for the Star Cool refrigeration unit, the container and the cargo. Comparisons between simulations using the model and measurements from a real container show an average error of less than ±1K±1K on the states important for control.This paper presents the modeling of a refrigeration container for use as a reference for energy-optimizing controller design. The model is based on first principles in order to conserve mass and energy, but various assumptions are used to simplify the equations, resulting in a unified model for the Star Cool refrigeration unit, the container and the cargo. Comparisons between simulations using the model and measurements from a real container show an average error of less than ±1K on the states important for control