Thermal Enhancement and Entropy Generation of an Air-Cooled 3d Radiator with Modified Fin Geometry and Perforation: A Numerical Study

Abstract

The increasing fuel prices have led researchers to work on the efficiency and development of heat-transferring devices. One such device is the hot water radiator which is familiar in the domestic arena. The goal of the study is to increase the efficiency and cooling performance of hot water 3D radiators by modifying the design of their fins and adding perforations for better fluid mixing. CFD simulations were carried out on the radiators with modified fin geometries (Wavy, Spike-rib, Cut-sections) and with two different intensities of perforation (19 and 38 perforations) for each case at varying inlet flowrates of the radiator. The numerical model in this study was validated with an experimental work. The hydrothermal performance of each radiator was measured in terms of fin surface temperature, entropy generation, heat transfer rate, and thermal enhancement factor. The temperature distributions and fluid flow streamlines also have been shown. The results show that modifying the fin geometries augment the heat transfer rate by up to 26% while perforating the fins boosts the rate to 34%. Finally, the most efficient radiator is found on the basis of the thermal enhancement factor, which is the spike-fin arrangement.

Keywords: Air-cooled radiator, Perforation, Fins geometry modification, Thermal enhancement factor, CFD simulation