Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Sep 2023)
Improvement methods for thermal backflow phenomenon in engine compartment blow-type air cooler module
Abstract
Regarding the thermal backflow problem in the central area of the engine compartment's blow-type cooler module, a computational model for the entire machine's outflow field is first established and validated using experimental results. Next, the formation of thermal backflow phenomenon is analyzed, and a more accurate calculation method for the cooler that takes into account the thermal backflow phenomenon is proposed. Finally, a new structure that can eliminate the thermal backflow phenomenon is presented, and the heat dissipation effect is analyzed. The conclusion shows that the calculated values of the engine compartment cooler module are consistent with experimental results, verifying the correctness of the computational model. The negative pressure caused by the “pump” suction effect in the central area of the cooler module is the fundamental reason for the generation of the thermal backflow phenomenon. The dual heat exchanger model can significantly improve the calculation accuracy of the cooler when taking into account the thermal backflow phenomenon (by at least 10%), providing a more accurate method for evaluating the cooler's heat dissipation ability. The proposed new structure can eliminate the thermal backflow phenomenon in the cooler module and improve the heat dissipation uniformity. After the elimination of the thermal backflow phenomenon, the heat dissipation ability of the cooler is improved by at least 25%. In addition, the improvement of the heat dissipation uniformity of the cooler can effectively solve the problem that multiple coolers in the engine compartment have inconsistent heat dissipation capabilities. The proposed calculation method for the cooler taking into account the thermal backflow phenomenon and the new structure for eliminating the thermal backflow provide a reference for the development of similar products in the future.
