Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement in an Automotive Radiator Utilizing Mini-Channel Tubes and Tubes Configuration

Utilizing EG/Water solution as working fluid in an automotive radiator cooling system could cause a significant decrement in heat transfer rate and increases fluid pressure drop. According to the results of this numerical research, a 70%-30% EG/Water solution has about 12%-20% less heat transfer rate and 5%-20% more pressure drop compared to pure water. Geometrical changes affecting the heat transfer parameters could be used to enhance the heat transfer performance of the radiator. This study aims to numerically investigate the effect of employing the mini-channel tubes and (-) or (+) shaped cross-section tubes rather than simple tubes on heat exchanger performance. Comparing the vertical and the horizontal configuration of pipes on heat transfer function is also studied. Results show that utilizing the mini-channel tubes can raise the heat transfer rate by about 15%-67%, while the friction factor is also increased by about 6%-52%. A considerable increment of nearly 10%-91% is also reported as an impact of employing horizontally arranged tubes compared to vertical tube configuration.