With the increasing demand for energy and growing environmental concerns, research on the performance and dynamic control strategies of chillers is vital for energy conservation and emission reduction. This work presents a seventh-order nonlinear moving boundary model with an all-mode switchable scheme for evaporators and condensers of vapour compression cycles. The proposed model, encompassing six modes, introduces a robust switching scheme that supports adjacent-mode and cross-mode transitions. Key advancements include a refined void fraction derivative model, addressing prior simplifications, and heat transfer coefficient modelling for louvred tube-fin and microchannel heat exchangers, extending applicability beyond round-tube designs. A dynamic simulation of a chiller system, validated against integral calculations, demonstrated high accuracy with simulation errors below 0.9 % and mass and energy variations of 0.15 % and 0.27 % over 24 h. A refrigerant charge model identified 0.02995 kg as optimal for maximising COP and cooling capacity under varying conditions. Steady-state and dynamic analyses showed that increased compressor speed enhances cooling performance by boosting flow rates and temperature differentials, while air velocity improves condenser efficiency and system COP. The dynamic response exhibited rapid pressure fluctuations with slower temperature changes due to external variations or heat exchanger efficiency. These findings underline the model's reliability and practical relevance.

Thermal storage modules offer a promising solution for efficient energy application. Thermal performance of flat-plate storage modules is analysed in rectangular, pentagonal, circular, and semicircular channels. Liquid fraction and average temperature of phase change materials are analysed in double-layer thermal storage modules. Compared with the rectangular channel case, the heat storage time of the thermal storage module with semicircular channels is reduced by 10.5%. The melting time of phase change materials decreases by 20.3% with an increase in the fluid inlet temperature from 338 K to 343 K. The heat release time of the thermal storage module with semicircular channels is shortened by 12.1% compared to that with rectangular channels. Compared to non-natural convection conditions, the melting rate of upper phase change materials increases by 36.7% under natural convection conditions, whereas the solidification rate of lower phase change materials increases by 12.8%. This work provides useful guidance for enhancing the heat transfer performance of thermal storage modules through semicircular channel configurations and natural convection.