Computational Study on the Influence of the Radiator in Vehicle Overall Performance

One of the key components in engine cooling system design in internal combustion vehicles is the radiator, which is responsible not only for regulating the engine coolant temperature but also for the required airflow crossing the grille openings. Considering different construction techniques and materials, the radiator design and its characteristics influence the overall vehicle performance. This work proposes a study on the influences of the radiator in the overall performance of a conceptual vehicle design, when considering different parameters. The main radiator characteristics evaluate in this study are the construction type, heat exchange thin number and tube number in different configuration arrays. Virtual cfd simulations are used to perform this study, where the drag influence in verified in three velocities: 40, 60 and 80 kph and compared with a baseline vehicle. The water flow rate is also evaluated and compared with same baseline model, in order to provide the best radiator performance in terms of thermal and aerodynamic efficiency.