Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research

Print ISSN: 2350-0077; Online ISSN: 2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014 pp. 41-46
© Krishi Sanskriti Publications
http://www.krishisanskriti.org/jbaer.html

Some Studies on the Performance of Automotive

Radiator at Higher Coolant Temperature
Devendra Vashist1, Sunny Bhatia2, Ashish Kalra3
1,2,3
Automobile Engineering Department, Manav Rachna International University

Abstract: Automotive engine cooling system takes care of excess water body pump. A test rig was developed which creates the
heat produced during engine operation. It regulates engine surface same conditions of air flow as for a moving vehicle with
temperature for engine optimum efficiency. Recent advancement in variable air flow rate.
engine for power forced engine cooling system to develop new
strategies to improve its performance efficiency. Also to reduce fuel
consumption along with controlling engine emission to mitigate 2. OBJECTIVE
environmental pollution norms. This paper throws light on
parameters which influence radiator performance at high coolant Performance of engine cooling system is influenced by factors
temperature that is 105o C and its effect on the effectiveness at like air and coolant mass flow rate, air inlet temperature,
variable fan speed. A literature review has been done and ways coolant fluid, fin type, fin pitch, tube type and tube pitch etc.
were identified how to enhance radiator performance
While designing cooling system main aim remains that the
Keywords: Automotive engine cooling system, Performance, size of the cooling system should be less but three factors does
Radiator not allow the size to decrease. The factors are
1. High altitude: At high altitude, air density becomes low
1. INTRODUCTION and hence affects air mass flow rate.
The radiator plays a very important role in an automobile. It 2. Summer conditions: During summer surrounding air is
dissipates the waste heat generated after the combustion hot i.e. air inlet temperature is more.
process and useful work has been done. The effectiveness with 3. Maximum power: Engine condition producing maximum
which waste heat is transferred from the engine walls to the power like when vehicle is climbing uphill, maximum
surrounding is crucial in preserving the material integrity of heat rejection is required during this condition.
the engine and enhancing the performance of the engine.
Various studies have been carried out on engine radiators To compensate all these factors radiator core size required
focusing primarily on optimizing their performance. The use may be large. In this study approach has been made to
of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling simulation increase the value of air flow rate which in turn takes care of
of mass flow rate of air passing across the tubes of an the size of the radiator.
automotive radiator was carried out [1]. Studies on the use of
nano fluids in compact heat exchangers were carried out by 3. MATERIAL AND METHOD
P.Gunnasegaran et.al. [2]. Some studies to increase the rate of
heat transfer were carried using twisted tape [3]. numerical The radiator (Fig 1) used in the study is of Maruti 800
study of heat transfer and pressure drop in a heat exchanger standard type. Material of the radiator is aluminium that is
that is designed with different shape pin fins were carried out why it is light in weight and less prone to corrosion.
by Hamid Nabati [5]. Some studies were also carried out for
Improving Radiator Efficiency by Air Flow Optimization by
Salvio Chacko et.al [6]. Studies on the effect of blockage of
dirt on engine radiator in the engine cooling system was
carried out by S. D. Oduro [10]. Much of the work is going on
to increase the value of convective heat transfer coefficient on
the similar patters this work is being directed on increasing the
value of h by adjusting the rpm of the fan with the help of
electrical regulator/ changing the windings of the motor. Some
studies were made on effects of variable mass flow rate of the
coolant in the radiator, the rate of flow is controlled by the
42 Devendra Vashist, Sunny Bhatia, Ashish Kalra

Fig. 6 Diameter Reducer Fig. 7 Heating Element

Anchor company switches (fig 5) are used and wooden box is

used to enclose the electrical panel and heavy duty wires are
Fig. 1 Radiator Fig. 2 Coolant Tank
used in this system to prevent the system from the failure.
Diameter reducer (fig 6) is used in this system to maintain the
mass flow rate of the system. The heating element (fig 7) used
in the system is of the capacity 3 KW of coil shape.
Thermocouples (fig 8) are used in the system for measuring
the temperature of the system. The thermometer used for
measuring air temperature is of the analogue type while the
thermocouple having range 40oC – 120°C is used for
measuring coolant temperature. A motor of 0.25HP (fig 9) is
used in the system to run the water body pump.

Fig. 3 Pipes

The material used for the fabrication of the coolant tank (fig 2)
is steel sheet as it can bear high temperature and its weight is
moderate but less than cast iron. The operating range of the
tank is 0oC to 150°C. The pipes (fig 3) used in the system Fig. 8 Thermocouples Fig. 9 Motor
should be able to bear high temperature that’s why plastic
pipes and the rubber hose pipes are used in the system. Cast The system used for transmitting the power from motor to
iron coolant pump (fig 4) is used that can operate at high water body pump is belt drive system (Fig 10) .
temperatures and can bear thermal stresses. The pump is
driven from the belt system arrangement.

Fig. 10 Belt Drive System

Fig. 4 Water Pump Fig. 5 Electrical Switches

Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research (JBAER)

Print ISSN: 2350-0077; Online ISSN: 2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014
Some Studies on the Performance of Automotive Radiator at Higher Coolant Temperature 43

The complete set up is shown in the figure 11. 5. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

PROCEDU

The radiator of the engine was 320 mm in length by 350 mm

in breath as showed in Fig. 1, and had a total number of 33
tubes. All the 33 tubes were in a single row and each tube was
2 mm thick. The fins were made of aluminum alloy with a
thickness of 0.8 mm, height of 20 mm and spaced 1.9 mm
apart as shown in figure 1. The radiator was thoroughly
thoro
cleaned of all dust and debris before the experiments were
carried.

6. ASSUMPTIONS
In order to carry out the studies following assumptions were
made;

1.Constant coolant flow rate and fluid temperatures at both the

inlet and outlet temperatures, that the system operated at
steady state 2.There were no phase changes in the coolant
3.Heat conduction through the walls of the coolant tube was
negligible 4.Heat loss by coolant was only transferred to the
Fig. 11 Complete set up
cooling air, thus no other heat transfer mode such as radiation
ra
was considered 5.Coolant fluid flow was in a fully developed
condition in each tube 6.All dimensions were uniform
4. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT
throughout the radiator and the heat transfer of surface area
Thermocouples are used for measuring the inlet and out let was consistent and distributed uniformly 7.The thermal
temperatures of the coolant that is coming out of the radiator. conductivity of thehe radiator material was considered to be
The details of the radiator are given in the Table 1 constant 8.There were no heat sources and sinks within the
radiator 9.There was no fluid stratification, losses and flow
A mixture of glycerol (Fig 12) and water was used as the misdistribution. The heat transfer process in the radiator was
coolant having a boiling point of 110C with 40% glycerol in studied as a forced convective heat transfer operation.
water by volume. Data about the additive used is given below:
Table 1. Specification of Experimental Setup
Formula: C3H8O3
Boiling point: 290 °C(pure) Pipe diameter inlet / outlet 26 mm
Density: 1.26 g/cm³ Thickness of 1 fin 0.8 mm
Melting point: 17.8 °C
Molar mass: 92.09382 g/mol Width of fin 20 mm
Diameter of cooling pipe 2 mm
Radiator core height (aluminum part only) 320mm
Radiator core length (aluminum part only) 350mm
Number of fins in single column 180
Number of fin columns 34
Total number of fins 6120
Total number of pipes 33
Distance between 2 pipes 7.5 mm
Distance between 2 fins 1.9 mm
Diameter of fan 0.27 m

Fig. 12 Glycerol-3D-balls
balls structure

Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research (JBAER)

Print ISSN: 2350-0077;
0077; Online ISSN: 2350
2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014
44 Devendra Vashist, Sunny Bhatia, Ashish Kalra

variation of temperature along the length of Heat Exchanger

for the two different speeds of motor.

Variation of temperature for water and

air along the length of Radiator at 1200
rpm
120

100

Temperature
80

60

40

20

Figure 13 Line Diagram 0

length of HE
7. OBSERVATIONS
air inlet and outlet temperature
Table 2 shows the observations made when the air was passed
water inlet and out let
through the radiator at variable fan motor speed. Table 3
shows the different formulas used for calculations. The speed
of the fan was made variable by changing the number of Fig. 14 Variation of temperature along length of radiator at 1200
windings in the fan of the motor. Figure 13 and 14 shows the rpm

Table 2 Observations from the test rig

Fan Air inlet Air outlet Water inlet Water outlet Water Air Mass Effectiv Cooling
Motor temperature temperature temperature temperature Mass flow flow rate eness Capacity
speed rate (є) kW
1200 rpm 25 42 105 61 0.06kg/sec 0.201kg/sec 0.6875 11
1830 rpm 25 50 105 55 0.06kg/sec 0.306kg/sec 0.62 12.5

Variation of temperature of water and air along the length of Radiator at 1830
rpm
120

100
Temperature

80
Air inlet and outlet
60 temperature
40

20 Water inlet and

outlet temperature
0
Length of Heat Exchanger

Fig. 15 Variation of temperature along length of radiator at 1830 rpm

Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research (JBAER)

Print ISSN: 2350-0077; Online ISSN: 2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014
Some Studies on the Performance of Automotive Radiator at Higher Coolant Temperature 45

A graph (fig 16) is plotted showing the variation of effectiveness and cooling capacity with the variation of air flow rate at
different rpm by keeping mass flow rate of coolant constant. Air flow rate has been plotted on X- Axis and the effectiveness on y
axis. The temperature of inlet air has been maintained at 25o C. By the graphs plotted it is observed that effectiveness remains
same with increase in air flow rate but cooling capacity increases by 12 % with an increase in air flow rate by 52.52 % keeping the
mass flow rate of the coolant constant.

14

12
10
8
Cooling capacity at
6 different fan rpm
4
Effectiveness
2

0
1200 1830

Fig 16: Variation of effectiveness and cooling capacity with the variation of air flow rate

Table 3

‚#ƒ„… &„# #†„"‡/†
ˆ„‰Š‹ƒ‹ &„# #†„"‡/†
Effectiveness of radiator (є) = Where mc = mass flow rate of coolant in kg/sec.

oŒŽŒŒ – Œ’
ma = mass flow rate of air in kg /s
o“Ž“Œ – “
Maximaum heat transfer = Cpc = specific heat capacity of coolant at constant
–—/UR (for water)
 pressure in kJ/kg K.
 ” •
At 1 LPM mc =
Cpa = specific heat capacity of air at constant
Cpc = 4.18 kJ/kg K. pressure in kJ/kg K.
Cpa = 1.005 kJ/kg K. tci = input temperature of coolant
st nd
ma = 0.201 (for 1 case) ma = 0.306 (for 2 case) tco = output temperature of coolant
st nd
mc = 0.06 (for 1 case) mc = 0.06 (for 2 case) tai = input temperature of air.

8. FUTURE SCOPE
8.1 Use of nano fluids
Nano particles can be dispensed in conventional heat transfer
fluid such as water ethylene glycol, engine oil. It produces a
new class of high efficient heat exchange fluids called Nano-
fluids [2, 7, 12]. Many experimental and theoretical analyses
are carried and found these new heat exchanger coolants are
excellent.
8.2 Fins Shape
Many studies have showed that the fin shape affects the
characteristics of the radiator [5, 12]. The fin angle effect,
guide wing effect, fin width effect, fin length effect, and fin
roundness effect were studied. The guide wing effect was
studied while changing the radial position and circumferential
fin arc length. Narrower fins produce more heat transfer area
per unit volume but worsen the fin efficiency more than the
wider fins. In the S shaped fin model, the narrowest fins
showed the largest heat transfer rate. A longer fin length
reduces the stream bend and pressure drop that occurs because
of the stream bend. The fin length effect was less than the
other fin effects if uniform flow was realized in the channel.
Fin roundness at the head and tail edge of the fins minimally
affect the heat transfer performance but greatly affect the
pressure drop performance. From the real fin shape
manufactured by chemical etching, the pressure drop is
increased by about 30%. Lesser fin roundness is preferred to
reduce the pressure drop.

Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research (JBAER)

Print ISSN: 2350-0077; Online ISSN: 2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014
46
8.3 Increasing turbulence of coolants
The effectiveness of the radiator can be increased by
employing turbulence promoters [12].
8.4 Use of carbon-foam fins
One more modification which can be employed is to replace
aluminum fins with carbon foam channels. Due to the thermal
properties of carbon foam (k = 175-180 W/mK for carbon
foam with 70% porosity), along with increasing the amount of
heat rejected, we will be able to reduce the overall size of the
radiator while simultaneously increasing the surface area
exposed to the air, thus reducing the air side resistance [12].
9. CONCLUSION
A set of numerical data on automotive radiator using coolant
operating at high temperature has been presented in the study.
By the literature survey a number of recommendations have
been provided for the development of a more effective and
compact radiator. The same is elaborated in the section, future
scope. In the performance evaluation of the radiator, a radiator
is installed into a test set up and parameter of mass flow rate
of air is varied its effect on the effectiveness and cooling
capacity is studied. The same parameters were presented
graphically and the inferences made.
REFERENCES
[1] P.K.Trivedi and N.B.Vasava Study of the Effect of Mass flow
Rate of Air on Heat Transfer Rate in automobile radiator by
CFD simulation using CFX International Journal of Engineering
Journal of Basic and Applied Engineering Research (JBAER)
Print ISSN: 2350-0077; Online ISSN: 2350-0255; Volume 1, Number 3; October, 2014
Devendra Vashist, Sunny Bhatia, Ashish Kalra
Research & Technology (IJERT) ISSN: 2278-0181 Vol. 1 Issue
6, August – 2012.
[2] P.Gunnasegaran, N.H. Shuaib, M. F. Abdul Jalal, and E.
Sandhita Numerical Study of Fluid Dynamic and Heat Transfer
in a Compact Heat Exchanger Using Nanofluids International
Scholarly Research Network ISRN Mechanical Engineering
Volume 2012, Article ID 585496, 11 pages
doi:10.5402/2012/585496
[3] Chintan Prajapati, Pragna Patel, Jatin Patel and Umang Patel, A
review of heat transfer enhancement using twisted tape
International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and
Studies E-ISSN2249–8974
[4] C. Oliet, A. Oliva *, J. Castro, C.D. Pe´rez-Segarra Parametric
studies on automotive radiators Applied Thermal Engineering
27 (2007) 2033–2043
[5] Hamid Nabati optimal pin fin heat exchanger surface Thesis
Mälardalen University Sweden School of Sustainable
Development of Society and Technology 2008
[6] Salvio Chacko, Dr. Biswadip Shome, Vinod Kumar, A.K.
Agarwal, D.R. Katkar, Numerical Simulation for Improving
Radiator Efficiency by Air Flow Optimization
[7] The Cooling Performances Evaluation of Nanofluids in a
Compact Heat Exchanger 2012 SAE International
[8] Cooling System Principles by meziere racing saldana products.
[9] Pawan S. Amrutkar, Sangram R. Patil Automotive Radiator
Performance Review International Journal of Engineering and
Advanced Technology (IJEAT) ISSN: 2249 – 8958, Volume-2,
Issue-3, February 2013
[10] S. D. Oduro Assessing the Effect of Blockage of Dirt on Engine
Radiator in the Engine Cooling System, International Journal of
Automotive Engineering Vol. 2, Number 3, July 2012
[11] James Klett, Bret Conway Thermal management solutions
utilizing high thermal conductivity graphite foams
[12] JP Yadav and Bharat Raj Singh Study on Performance
Evaluation of Automotive Radiator S-JPSET : ISSN : 2229-
7111, Vol. 2, Issue 2 samriddhi, 2011