MODEL-BASED METHOD TO DETECT ABNORMAL OPERATIONS IN HEAT EXCHANGERS

A computer-implemented method, environmental control system, and aircraft are provided. Environmental operating conditions data for a heat exchanger is received. Measured values from sensors measuring parameters of the heat exchanger are also received. An operating model for the heat exchanger based on the received environmental operating conditions is retrieved from a first data structure. The retrieved model includes estimated values for the sensors. A difference between the estimated values and the measured values is calculated. The calculated differences are compared to at least one threshold value. Upon the differences exceeding the at least one threshold value, the calculated differences are compared to abnormal operation models in an abnormal operation library data structure. Upon the calculated difference matching an abnormal operation model in the abnormal operation library data structure, outputting an abnormal operation identity associated with the abnormal operation model. If there is no match, a learning process develops a new model for a new abnormal operation.