Scribd
Upload
6 views2 pages

CFD Automotive Radiator Simulation

This study investigates the thermal performance of an aluminum automotive radiator using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. A 3D model was developed to analyze heat dissipation under varying inlet temperatures and fluid velocities, revealing that optimized flow conditions significantly enhance cooling efficiency. The findings emphasize the benefits of virtual prototyping in radiator design, allowing for faster iterations and reduced experimental costs.

Uploaded by

Pankaj Kumar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views2 pages

CFD Automotive Radiator Simulation

This study investigates the thermal performance of an aluminum automotive radiator using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. A 3D model was developed to analyze heat dissipation under varying inlet temperatures and fluid velocities, revealing that optimized flow conditions significantly enhance cooling efficiency. The findings emphasize the benefits of virtual prototyping in radiator design, allowing for faster iterations and reduced experimental costs.

Uploaded by

Pankaj Kumar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Computational Investigation of Thermal

Performance in an Aluminum
Automotive Radiator Using CFD
Techniques
Pankaj Chandar, Aniket Sonawane, Vaishnavi Kankrale, Akshay Kapse, Hrushikesh
Kumavat
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon,
India
Email: achandarpankaj10@[Link]

Abstract
Automotive radiators serve as critical components in vehicle thermal management
systems, ensuring optimal engine performance and longevity. This study presents a
computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based evaluation of a cross-flow aluminum radiator
using ANSYS Fluent. A 3D model was developed in SolidWorks, incorporating typical
materials—aluminum for structural components and water as the working fluid. The
analysis examines heat dissipation performance under four operating scenarios, varying
inlet temperatures (373K and 353K) and fluid velocities. Airflow was fixed at 300K, and
effectiveness values were computed to assess cooling efficiency. The simulation aims to
identify optimal parameter combinations and demonstrates how CFD can accelerate
design iteration while minimizing experimental costs.

1. Introduction
Radiators are vital elements in liquid-based cooling systems, playing an essential role in
maintaining thermal stability in combustion engines and electronic systems. Operating as
cross-flow heat exchangers, they facilitate energy transfer between a heated coolant and
an ambient airstream. This mechanism is instrumental in automotive applications, where
nearly one-third of the fuel's energy converts into heat that must be expelled to prevent
overheating.

As automotive engineering pushes toward higher efficiency and reduced emissions,


precision cooling design becomes increasingly critical. To enhance development
efficiency, numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have
emerged as powerful tools for analyzing thermal behavior and validating new radiator
configurations prior to prototyping. In this work, a CFD model simulates conjugate heat
transfer in a radiator composed of aluminum and water, incorporating variations in input
temperature and flow velocities to evaluate heat transfer performance. The outcomes
support a more refined design of radiators for thermal management in vehicles, with
broader implications for HVAC and electronic cooling applications.

2. Conclusion
This investigation applied CFD techniques to model and evaluate a cross-flow radiator’s
heat transfer characteristics under different operating conditions. Simulations showed that
increasing both air and water inlet velocities improved thermal effectiveness, ranging
from 0.38305 to 0.53069. The radiator model, composed of aluminum and cooled with
water, confirmed that optimized flow conditions significantly enhance thermal gradients
and cooling efficiency. These findings underline the value of virtual prototyping in
thermal system design, reducing reliance on costly physical trials and enabling faster
iteration in radiator engineering. Future studies could incorporate advanced nanofluids or
real-time boundary conditions for greater simulation fidelity.

You might also like