Modeling of Flow Field and Heat Transfer in a Copper-Base Automotive Radiator Application

This paper describes a methodology used for designing louvered fins. Louvered fins are commonly used in many compact heat exchangers to increase the surface area and initiate new boundary layer growth. Detailed measurements can be accomplished with computational models of these louvered fins to gain a better understanding of the flow field and heat distribution. The particular louver geometry studies for this work have a louver angle of 23° and fin count of 17 fpi.

The flow and heat transfer characteristics for three-dimensional mixed convection flows in a radiator flat tube with louvered fins are analyzed numerically. A three-dimensional model is developed to investigate flow and conjugate heat transfer in the copper-based car radiator. The model was produced with the commercial program FLUENT. The theoretical model has been developed and validated by comparing the predictions of the model with available experimental data. The thermal performance and temperature distribution for the louvered fins were analyzed and a procedure for optimizing the geometrical design parameter is presented.

One fin specification among the various flat tube exchangers is recommended by first considering the heat transfer and pressure drop. The effects of variation of coolant flow conditions and external air conditions on the flow and the thermal characteristics for the selected radiator are investigated also. The results will be used as fundamental data for tube design by suggesting specifications for car radiator tubes.