Concepção e avaliação experimental de uma bancada estacionária para a análise do rendimento térmico de radiadores de veículos pesados

Abstract

Automotive radiators are heat exchangers used in cooling systems of internal combustion engines of large and small vehicles. Depending on which way the transport of the thermal energy to the radiator´s surrounding occurs, the engine’s efficiency, the exhaust gas emission and the fuel consumption could be influenced. Experimental data of automotive radiator performance, mainly of those installed in heavy duty vehicles, are poorly reported in the literature. In this context, the present work brings the design, assembly and experimental assessment of a stationary bench system to study the thermal performance of a truck´s radiator that uses water heated up to different temperatures to be cooled by using room air crossing at several velocities. Results related to the thermal performance of the radiator were in agreement with simulations obtained from a mathematical model available in the literature as well as with experimental data previously reported by other authors. The experimental apparatus here assembled and tested looks for to contribute in knowing further about the operation of modern radiators that have fins with symmetrical louvers in their configuration, increasing the heat exchange with surroundings and decreasing both the weight and the pressure drop during the passage of the cooling air flow.