Aspects of Configuration of Fan Installations in the Cooling Systems of Internal Combustion Engines and Air Conditioning Units of Cars

The car engine cooling system and the air conditioning system, in addition to maintaining the operating temperature of the engine and comfortable interior temperature, are also important for decreasing fuel consumption and reducing harmful emissions. The energy required for operating these systems is high. It is necessary to drive the fans of the above-mentioned systems. Air supply by means of the running stream is accompanied by an increase in the aerodynamic drag of the car. One of the possibilities of reducing the energy consumption is associated with the effective use of cooling air. The layout possibilities of two versions of the engine cooling and air conditioning units are presented. Using CFD modeling, four regimes of cooling air supply provided by the running air flow, air conditioner fan, cooling system fan, and both fans are studied. As a result, the mechanism of air formation and passing through the heat exchangers is defined. The air flow distribution along the front of the heat exchangers and the flow re-circulation from the engine compartment to the pre-radiator chamber are examined. The understanding of the mechanism of air flow through the air channels makes is possible to determine ways to improve the efficiency of the car engine cooling system and the air conditioning system.

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