Sensitivity Analysis of Key Engine and Vehicle Parameters in Engine Coolant Temperature Predictions

This paper discusses the sensitivity of key parameters that are used as an input into engine cooling system simulation model that affect the coolant temperature and required airflow calculations. In simulation, these parameters are obtained either from calculations of other programs such as a combustion program or from measured engine test data and are typically assumed to be constant. Tests and measurements from vehicle tests indicate that these parameters always vary affecting the final predicted coolant temperature. The sensitivity on few selected parameters such as the ambient pressure, temperature, humidity, coolant properties among others were studied. Results discussed in this paper quantify the effect of each of these parameters on required airflow and advise which parameters must be tightly controlled to improve the robustness of the simulation model and the accuracy of predictions.