Engine Cooling

J.P. Subrahmanyam

Need for cooling

Approximately about 35% of the energy of burning of fuel is transferred as heat. A major portion of this heat goes to the cylinder head and walls, piston crown, and valves. Some of the heat from the piston is transferred to the cylinder walls via the piston rings. Cooling system is provided to prevent damage to engine parts, lubricating oil break down leading to piston seizure and, in the case of the SI engine, prevent knock.

If too much heat is carried away, the engine performance will deteriorate and efficiency will decrease. This is also undesirable.

Inefficient cooling system or inadequate cooling will result in component failure due to increased thermal stresses and subsequently, catastrophic damage to the components like piston, rings, and valves.

At low speeds and loads, coolant heat transfer rate is 2 to 3 times the brake power. Heat losses are a substantial part of the fuel energy input, yet, elimination of heat losses will allow only a fraction of the heat transferred to the combustion chamber walls to be converted to useful work. The remainder will leave the engine as sensible exhaust enthalpy.

Desirable Characteristics of a Cooling System: 1. Should be capable of removing about 30% of heat generated. 2. Should be able to remove heat at a faster rate when the engine is hot. Types of Cooling Systems: 1. Liquid or Indirect Cooling Systems. 2. Air or Direct Cooling Systems.

For Liquid Cooled Systems

Types of Liquid Cooled Systems

1. Direct or Non-return Systems 2. Thermo-syphon Systems 3. Forced circulation cooling systems 4. Evaporative cooling systems 5. Pressure cooling systems.

A represents the engine B represents the radiator

Evaporative Cooling Systems

This is used predominantly in stationary engines. The cooling water is allowed to evaporate into steam, thereby taking advantage of the high latent heat of vaporization of water.

The steam is condensed in a water- or air-cooled condenser.

Pressure Cooling Systems

Heat transfer rate depends on (i) temperature difference between two mediums, (ii) the area of exposed surface and (iii) conductivity of the materials. By sealing the cooling system and raising its pressure the boiling point of water can be increased. At 2 bar, the boiling point increases to 121 deg. C. This reduces the heat lost to the coolant and marginally increases the work output. This is good in CI engines but in SI engines it can lead to knocking.

Air Cooled Engine With fins

Anti-freezing Agents
An anti-freeze is a chemical additive which lowers the freezing point of a water-based liquid. The additive can lower the freezing point for cold environments and raise the boiling point to allow higher coolant temperature. Lowering of the freezing point is necessary because if the coolant (usually water) freezes, it will expand, resulting in serious deformation of engine parts. It will ensure that the coolant remains in the liquid phase as this is critical to efficient heat transfer.

Primary Agents
1. Methanol. It is very toxic and corrosive to aluminium. 2. Ethylene glycol. Available since 1926, is regarded as a permanent anti-freeze because it can be used in summer as well as in winter. It is poisonous to humans and animals and can cause death if ingested. 3. Propylene glycol. Considerably less toxic and is now a preferred additive. The mixture, however, is very corrosive, so inhibitors are required. 4. Glycerol. It was once used in automobiles. It is nontoxic, withstands relatively high temperatures and is non-corrosive.