Abstract
Keywords - Radiator, heat exchanger, engine cooling, design code, parametric studies
Abstract - In the automotive industry, plate-fin heat exchangers have been extensively used during last decades for engine cooling applications. From very restrictive pollution regulations to high industrial competitive level, the necessity of energy optimisation is obvious. Heat exchangers are directly related with contaminant emissions and fuel consumption by their effect on combustion temperatures and on total vehicle weight.
The aim of this paper is to show radiator designers/manufacturers the capabilities of a developed simulation code in the achievement of these energy optimisation challenges. The authors present a set of parametric studies on automotive radiators performance, which illustrate the acquired expertise on the study of this equipment. Both thermal and fluid-dynamic aspects have been analysed.
The parametric studies are focused on geometrical aspects and boundary conditions on both fluids. Airside enhancements are specially analysed in order to optimize thermal resistance distribution and to reduce airside pressure drop where possible. Non-dimensional procedures and performance evaluation criteria are used in the presentation of the results.