Design and Analysis of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Crossflow Radiator as Changing the Fin and Tube Material

The main purpose of this project is to identify the suitable radiator material for various working environments (such as coastal environment and desert-like high temperature environments) and applications. Hence in this project, the existing radiator is analyzed by changing its tube and fin material for evaluating the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics. The materials chosen for analysis are Aluminium (Al), Al-Si-Mg alloy and Graphite flakes-metal alloy. Initially the required radiator model for analysis is designed and modelled using CREO Parametric 2.0. The overall pressure, temperature and mass flow rate distribution of the coolant and air in and around the tube-fin arrangement is evaluated using fluid flow (CFX) and steady state analysis systems of CFD. Stress Distribution over the radiator is evaluated using static structural analysis system of CFD. The fluid flow simulation is conducted using commercial software ANSYS. The heat transfer rate, heat flux and the pressure and temperature distribution along the tube length and tube width are presented and analyzed. The results obtained serve as good database for the future investigations.