In this paper, a simple, yet accurate hybrid modeling technique for condensers is presented. The method
starts with fundamental physical principles but captures only few key operational characteristic parameters
to predict the system performances. The advantages of the methods lie that linear or non-linear
least-squares methods can be directly used to determine no more than four key operational characteristic
parameters in the model, which can significantly reduce the computational burden. The developed model
is verified with the experimental data taken from a pilot system. The testing results confirm that the proposed
model can predict accurately the performance of the real-time operating condenser with the maximum
error of less than ±10%. The model technique proposed will have wide applications not only in
condenser operating optimization, but also in performance assessment and fault detection and diagnosis.