STUDY ON AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR
ABSTRACT
Radiators are used to transfer energy from one medium to another for the purpose of
cooling. Radiators are used for cooling internal combustion engines, mainly in automobiles
but also in piston-engine aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, stationary generating
plant. The radiator transfers the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, thereby cooling
the fluid, which in turn cools the engine. Research is being carried out for several decades
now, in improving the performance of the heat exchangers, having high degree of surface
compactness and higher heat transfer abilities in automotive industry.
In this thesis, the compact heat exchangers have fins and tubes. Present study used to
perform a study on a compact heat exchanger. It is identified from literature reviews and
then the study is done on materials used for radiator, geometrical and flow parameters.
INTRO TO AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS
Radiators are cooling devices used in automobiles to prevent engines from
overheating. They form the heart of the cooling system in all the vehicles. Primarily,
they are responsible for maintaining the temperature of engines so that they can give
an optimum performance. Automobile radiators, however, should not be
misunderstood with home radiators which are used for the purpose of heating homes.
Radiators are generally manufactured from copper and brass or aluminium and
comprising of numbers of pipes put in a series through which coolant circulates.
However, the material of radiator depends on its use and the different industrial
radiator manufacturers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The pump sends the fluid into the engine block, where it makes its way through passages
in the engine around the cylinders.
Then it returns through the cylinder head of the engine. The thermostat is located where
the fluid leaves the engine.
The plumbing around the thermostat sends the fluid back to the pump directly if the
thermostat is closed.
If it is open, the fluid goes through the radiator first and then back to the pump.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF RADIATOR
Radiator is also a separate circuit for the heating system.
This circuit takes fluid from the cylinder head and passes it through a heater core and then back to the
pump.
On cars with automatic transmissions, there is normally also a separate circuit for cooling the
transmission fluid built into the radiator.
The oil from the transmission is pumped by the transmission through a second heat exchanger inside the
radiator.
The pump sends the fluid into the engine block, where it makes its way through passages in the engine
around the cylinders.
Then it returns through the cylinder head of the engine. The thermostat is located where the fluid leaves
the engine.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF RADIATOR
THE NECESSITY OF HAVING A GOOD ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
•The temperature of the burning gases in the engine cylinder reaches up to 1500 to 2000°C, which
is above the melting point of the material of the cylinder body and head of the engine. Therefore, if
the heat is not dissipated, it would result in the failure of the cylinder material.
•Due to very high temperatures, the film of the lubricating oil will get oxidized, thus producing
carbon deposits on the surface. This will result in piston seizure.
•Due to overheating, large temperature differences may lead to a distortion of the engine
components due to the thermal stresses set up. This makes it necessary for, the temperature
variation to be kept to a minimum.
•Higher temperatures also lower the volumetric efficiency of the engine.
IMPORTANCE OF THERMOSTAT
• Thermostat is placed between the engine and the radiator to make sure that the coolant stays above a
certain preset temperature. If the coolant temperature falls below this temperature, the thermostat blocks the
coolant flow to the radiator, forcing the fluid instead through a bypass directly back to the engine.
•The coolant will continue to circulate like this until it reaches the design temperature, at which point, the
thermostat will open a valve and allow the coolant back through the radiator.
•A thermostat exerts control by switching heating or cooling devices on or off, or by regulating the flow of a
heat transfer fluid as needed, to maintain the correct temperature.
•A thermostat can often be the main control unit for a heating or cooling system, in applications ranging
from ambient air control to automotive coolant control. Thermostats are used in any system that heats or
cools to a set point temperature.
TYPES OF RADIATORS
Notwithstanding the materials used, radiators are basically of two types: cross-flow
radiators and down-flow radiators, depending on where the tank is located.
Single Panel Radiators
Double Panel Radiators
Horizontal Radiators
Vertical Radiators
Column Radiators
Heated Towel Rails
TYPES OF PUMPS USED IN RADIATORS
Mechanical water pumps
In mechanical water pumps, the coolant absorbs heat from the engine block and cylinder head and releases it to the
ambient air through the radiator. Depending on the type of construction, mechanical water pumps can be seated in the
pump housing itself on the outside of the engine, or they can be seated directly on the engine block. Generally, mechanical
water pumps are driven by V-belts, timing belts, or directly from the engine.
Variable water pumps
The main peculiarity of variable water pumps is that they allow the flow rate to be varied depending on the needs of the engine,
this is done through a vacuum process. That is, the water pump acts on the cooling system only when necessary. In this way, it
helps to increase the efficiency of the engine, which translates into lower fuel consumption and, therefore, a significant reduction
in pollution in atmosphere
Electric water pumps
Electric water pumps help reduce emissions from modern engines. A supply flow independent of the number of revolutions of the
motor enables cooling according to needs. This reduces the power required and therefore reduces friction losses, fuel consumption
and emissions of pollutants
TYPES OF REFRIGERANTS USED IN RADIATORS
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), including R12. This is known to contribute to the
greenhouse gas effect. ...
Hydro chloro fluorocarbons (HCFCs), including R22. ...
Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), including R410A and R134
TYPES OF FINS USED IN RADIATORS
ADVANTAGES OF RADIATOR
The radiator is of good heat dissipation. It obviously saves material and energy.
Good performance of oxidation corrosion resistance
They are highly responsive.
They are environmentally friendly to produce, so they are less polluting.
They are easy to mold, and so you can find some very cool and unusual designs.
Ceramic, cast iron, and other materials used to construct them will hold heat.
LIMITATIONS OF RADIATORS
Heat loss takes place if not used and maintained properly.
Noisy operation
It needs an adequate amount of airflow in the room in order for a radiator to properly
work.
The heats from the unit will simply sit around the unit, which can reduce the comfort
levels within your home and create drafts and cold spots.
APPLICATION OF RADIATORS
The main uses or application of Radiator are
Radiation and Convection
Heating
Engine cooling
Pumps Cooling
Electronics
Spacecraft
Air conditioner and Automobiles.
CONCLUSION
Most internal combustion engines are fluid cooled using either air (a gaseous fluid) or a liquid coolant run
through a heat exchanger (radiator) cooled by air.
In air cooling system, heat is carried away by the air flowing over and around the cylinder. Here fins are cast
on the cylinder head and cylinder barrel which provide additional conductive and radiating surface. In
water-cooling system of cooling engines, the cylinder walls and heads are provided with jacket through
which the cooling liquid can circulate.
Some general sources of deviations, like tolerances in the thermostat wax melting temperatures, irregular
calibrated sensors in the measurements, lack of good locations to mount sensors, errors caused by the
indirect coupling between cooling system model and the engine model, errors caused by the heat calculated.
This is how the thermostats are used in any system that heats or cools to a set point temperature.
FUTURE SCOPE
Usage of Nano fluids
S shaped fin can increase the performance
Increasing turbulence of fluid
Use of carbon foams
REFERENCES
Jinsiwale N, Achwal V (2018) Heart transfer enhancement in Automobile radiator
using nanofuids: a review”.
Ali M, Al-Sofyany Z (2014) The effect of nanofuids concentration on the cooling
system of vehicles radiator. Adv Mech Eng
M. Brain. (2000, June 15). How Car Engines Work
K. Nice. (2000, June 15). How Car Cooling Systems Work
M. Wright. (June 10). Figure Out Why Your Car is Overheating
