The focus of this thesis was on the development of a dynamic modeling capability for a vapor compression system along with the implementation of advanced multivariable control techniques on the resulting model. Individual component models for a typical vapor compression system were developed based on most recent and acknowledged publications within the field of thermodynamics. Parameter properties such as pressure, temperature, enthalpy etc. for each component were connected to detailed thermodynamic tables by algorithms programmed in MATLAB, thus creating a fully dynamic environment. The separate component models were then interconnected and an overall model for the complete system was implemented in SIMULINK. An advanced control technique known as Model Predictive Control (MPC) along with an open-source QP solver was then applied on the system. The MPC-controller requires the complete state information to be available for feedback and since this is often either very expensive (requires a great number of sensors) or at times even impossible (difficult to measure), a full-state observer was implemented. The MPC-controller was designed to keep certain system temperatures within tight bands while still being able to respond to varying cooling set-points. The control architecture was successful in achieving the control objective, i.e. it was shown to be adaptable in order to reflect changes in environmental conditions. Cooling demands were met and the temperatures were successfully kept within given boundaries.

Dans cette thèse nous développons des structures de supervision permettant de définir des consignes optimales pour des actionneurs thermiques, ainsi que des stratégies de commande appropriées pour le pilotage d’une pompe à chaleur (PAC). Pour répondre à ces objectifs, plusieurs étapes ont été réalisées :- Modélisation orientée commande d’une PAC réversible, des thermistances, et de l’environnement permettant de les lier à l’intérieur de l’habitacle. Des modèles physiques ont été définis et intégrés dans une plateforme du type Model-in-the-Loop pour permettre a posteriori la validation des stratégies de commande et d’optimisation. - Commande d’une PAC. La linéarisation du modèle de PAC autour de certains points de fonctionnement a permis le développement de la commande de l’actionneur principal. La structure de commande proposée permet de prendre en compte, en boucle fermée, des contraintes d’état et d’entrée du système. Les performances de cette structure ont été analysées en considérant successivement des régulateurs principaux de type PI et Hinf. Enfin, des algorithmes réalisant le pilotage d’un actionneur secondaire du système ont été également proposés. - Optimisation des actionneurs thermiques. L’utilisation combinée de thermistances et de la PAC présente des avantages en termes de réduction de la consommation énergétique et/ou du maintien de la puissance thermique demandée dans des conditions aux limites de fonctionnement. Le problème d’optimisation a été résolu en deux temps : des solutions hors-ligne ont été obtenues par résolution d’un problème mixte en nombre entier avec modèle prédictif, puis utilisées pour déduire des stratégies embarquables sur le véhicule. / Through this thesis we develop some strategies to define the optimal set points for thermal actuators, as well as an adequate control strategy for a heat pump. To this extent, different steps were carried out:- Control-oriented modeling of a reversible heat pump, thermistors, and the environment connecting these elements to the interior of the car’s cabin. Simplified but non-linear physical models were defined and used to build a Model-in-the-Loop platform, which would later be considered for the validation of the control and optimization strategies. - Control of a heat pump. The linearization of the heat pump model around some operating points was used to develop the control of the electric compressor, being the main actuator. The proposed control structure takes into account, in closed loop, input and state constraints. The performance of the structure was analyzed by using main controllers of PI and Hinf type. Lastly, some control algorithms were also proposed to control a second actuator of the system. - Thermal actuators optimization. Despite the high efficiency of the heat pump, the use of thermistors can be advantageous both for reducing the energetic consumption and/or to ensure the thermal power requests in extreme conditions. The optimization problem was carried out in two steps: offline solutions were firstly obtained solving a mixed-integer problem with predictive model, then used to derive some strategies that could be embedded in the vehicle.