# Modeling and Key Parameter Interaction Analysis for Ship Central Cooling Systems
## 6 Conclusions  
(1) This study constructed physical models of core components and established a multi-physical domain simulation system using the physical network method, successfully developing an energy consumption prediction model for the ship's central cooling system. The model effectively captured the complex nonlinear relationships and interactions among multiple factors. Model performance evaluation demonstrated excellent goodness-of-fit and predictive capability: the coefficient of determination \(R^{2}\) = 0.9688, adjusted \(R^{2}_{\text{adj}}\) = 0.9438, and predicted \(R^{2}_{\text{pred}}\) = 0.8752. Numerical test validation showed a maximum relative  
Figure 5: Response surface plot and contour plot of system energy consumption versus main engine power and seawater pump speed. (**a**) Response surface plot of system energy consumption versus main engine power and seawater pump speed; (**b**) contour plot of system energy consumption versus main engine power and seawater pump speed.  
error of only 1.2%, further confirming the model's high prediction accuracy and practical application potential.  
(2) Sensitivity analysis of the ship's central cooling system energy consumption prediction model revealed that main engine power, seawater pump speed, seawater temperature, and three-way valve opening were the significant single factors affecting the system's energy consumption and had the greatest impact on its energy-saving potential. Therefore, implementing variable frequency precision control for the seawater pump based on load and ambient temperature is the core strategy for achieving energy savings in this system. Meanwhile, the three-way valve opening must be synergistically optimized to achieve optimal overall system energy efficiency.  
(3) Based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD) response surface method and focusing on five key factors--main engine power, seawater temperature, seawater pump speed, three-way valve opening, and low-temperature fresh water flow rate--this study further clarified the influence of interaction effects among these factors on system energy consumption. Analysis revealed a significant interaction between main engine power and seawater pump speed, where their synergistic effect led to a nonlinear increase in system energy consumption, which was particularly prominent at high power. In-depth analysis of this interaction mechanism provided a crucial basis and new perspectives for developing collaborative optimization control strategies to further reduce the ship's central cooling system energy consumption.  
Conceptualization, X.W.; Methodology, X.W.; Software, P.S.; Validation, P.Z.; Investigation, X.W. and J.W.; Resources, P.S.; Data curation, P.Z.; Writing--original draft, X.W.; Writing--review & editing, P.Z. and J.W.; Visualization, P.S.; Funding acquisition, P.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research and the APC were funded by the Independent Project of the Naval University of Engineering (2023502080).  
Not applicable.  
The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.