Advances in Automotive Heat Exchanger Technology †

Heat exchangers for automobiles with an internal combustion engine are as follows: radiator, heater, condenser, evaporator, oil cooler, and charge air cooler depending upon heating and air-conditioning of the passenger compartment, engine size and output power requirement. Since the introduction of factory-built radiators around 1910, phenomenal progress has been made in the design, analysis and manufacturing developments; particularly the advances in manufacturing technology and stiff competition since 1980s have resulted in these exchangers becoming very compact, efficient, durable and lower cost. In this paper, starting with a brief historical perspective, the emphasis is made on the new developments in automotive heat exchangers since 1980s.