Effect of Louvered Fin Angle for an Automotive Radiator on the Flow Structure and Velocity Field
摘要
The performance of automotive radiator fins greatly depends on their configuration and layout. Despite various designs, optimization of these fins, especially in terms of angle, has been limited due to their small size. Radiators play a critical role as heat exchanger devices, ensuring efficient engine operation. This study focuses on analyzing and simulating the flow patterns and velocity fields around louvered fins. Specifically, the project investigates the airflow behavior through louver fins at different angles: 20°, 25° and 30°. To test the hypothesis that varying louver angles result in distinct airflow patterns, experiments were conducted in a desktop wind tunnel. A smoke generator aided in visualizing the airflow, and a high-speed camera captured the motion in slow motion. Image analysis, employing the PIVlab toolbox in MATLAB, provided velocity field data. The results demonstrated that louvered fins induce notable flow vortices and eddies, particularly at a 25° angle, where the mean air velocity is the highest.