No abstract

The heat exchangers are responsible by the thermal equilibrium in an internal combustion engine, but it is important to emphasize, that this property is directly influenced by the air mass flow rate which passes through heat exchanger, given a specific coolant flux and heat exchanger geometry. The present work aims to show the influence of vehicle components, such as air deflectors, fan, radiator's shroud, grilles and gaskets on air mass flow rate passing through the heat exchangers and their consequences on ITD (Inlet Difference Temperature) estimation. This influence was quantified using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and 1-D simulation analysis of vehicle under-hood. The simulations were performed in top speed condition of the vehicle, which characterizes full throttle of the engine and 50kW of rejected heat. The analysis allows to state that an increment of air flux was possible reducing leakage and redirecting the air flux.