TILMedia Suite – Structure and contents of the software package

The TILMedia Suite consists of a program core and several optional modules for which individual licenses can be purchased. This flexible structure allows for the diverse and relatively cost-effective use in various applications and computer languages. The structure, applications and additional tools of TILMedia Suite are presented in the following:

TLK with its TILMedia Suite is product partner of MathWorks.

Pressure reducer mounted on a nitrogen gas cylinder at a test bench


TILMedia core – Calculation methods and substance property implementations

In TILMedia, substance properties can be calculated in three different ways: using our own highly efficient and accurate real-time substance property implementations, using standard substance property implementations such as those described in the literature, or by accessing external databases, such as REFPROP. In addition, substance properties can be calculated based on user-defined mixtures.

The following substance property implementations based on equations of state are available so far:

  • TLK developments: 60 media
  • VDI Heat Atlas: 275 media
  • VDI guideline 4670: 10 media
  • NASA Glenn coefficient: 2000 media
  • External Library REFPROP: 208 media
  • External Library CoolProp: 114 media

Using REFPROP via TILMedia – Mixture of 50% Ethane and 50% Methane in a ph-Diagram
Using REFPROP via TILMedia – Mixture of 50% Ethane and 50% Methane in a ph-Diagram – Visualized in DaVE

In addition, based on these equations of state, substance property implementations can be carried out with the help of interpolation methods such as linear interpolation, spline interpolation or arrays of curves. These have the advantage that they require very little computing time with no loss of accuracy.

The calculation methods are constantly being extended and optimized by TLK-Thermo GmbH in collaboration with the Institut für Thermodynamik (IfT) of the Technische Universität Braunschweig.


TILMedia modules – For use in different applications and computer languages

TILMedia Suite is structured in modules so that calculation methods for different applications and computer languages are available. A central program core ensures that in different applications identical thermophysical properties can be calculated. The individual modules are tailored to the respective application or computer language. Licenses for the TILMedia modules can be purchased either individually or in combination:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Modelica (Dymola, SimulationX)
  • Python
  • Simulink (MathWorks)
  • Visual Basic for Applications und VB Script
  • Windows-COM-Server

Developments and simulations on the computer using TILMedia and the TIL Suite
Developments and Simulations on the Computer using TILMedia and the TIL Suite

Moreover, TILMedia can also be used in real-time systems such as dSpace or in combination with other operating systems such as Linux. TILMedia modules can be made available for other applications and computer languages upon request.


TILMedia structure – Functional and object-based interfaces for property calculations

TILMedia works with various substance categories so as to make the optimal calculation methods available for different areas of application. User-defined mixtures can be created within the individual categories. The following three substance categories are available:

  • Ideal gases (including condensation, evaporation and ash)
  • Incompressible liquids
  • Real fluids containing a vapor liquid equilibrium (refrigerants and working fluids)
TILMedia – Isosteric Diagram Water Ammonia
TILMedia – Isosteric Diagram Water & Ammonia – Visualized in DaVE

In TILMedia, the calculation of the thermophysical properties takes place in one of two processes: either by means of recallable functions separately or as bundled substance property objects. The calculation takes place on the basis of a selected substance property implementation and a combination of input variables such as:

  • Pressure, temperature and mass fraction
  • Pressure, specific enthalpy and mass composition
  • Pressure, specific entropy and mass composition
  • Density, temperature and mass composition

Other tools – Visualization and simulation of thermodynamic systems

TILMedia for Modelica is part of the software package TIL Suite. The model library TIL provides thermal components and systems for steady state and transient simulations. With TIL and TILMedia, very detailed models can be calculated on the one hand, and on the other hand large and complex systems can be simulated quickly and dynamically.
The results of such calculations and simulations made with TILMedia can be easily visualized using the software DaVE. Each substance property implementation of TILMedia Suite can be visualized using thermodynamic state charts in DaVE. The following state charts are available in DaVE:

  • ph-diagram
  • pv-diagram
  • Ts-diagram
  • Th-diagram
  • pT-diagram
  • hx-diagram
  • Isosteric diagram
    (vapor pressure diagram)

In addition to the thermodynamic state charts, DaVE provides many other display and diagram types.

Various State Diagrams of a Refrigeration Circuit – Visualized in DaVE
Various State Diagrams of a Refrigeration Circuit – Visualized in DaVE

If you have any questions, please consult:

Dipl.-Ing. Ingo Frohböse

+49 / 531 / 390 76 - 234 | tilmedia@tlk-thermo.com