Performance Evaluation Of Flat Face Heat Exchanger With FDM Printed Micro-Channel Fin Holders

Abstract

Automobile engine cooling in case of two-wheeler vehicles is conventionally done using air cooling method, however, with the introduction of superbikes and motorcycles with engines larger than 200 cc, it was discovered that an additional approach, water cooling, was required to improve cooling efficacy. Traditional water coolers use a radiator-style setup that takes up a lot of room, volume, and weight. In an attempt to improve the performance of the radiator certain design changes are proposed through application of the FDM printed micro-channel fin holders and in this paper the flat face heat exchanger performance is evaluated. The flat face micro channel heat exchanger is made up of a brass hollow tube that is attached to the heat exchanger's surface and through which the hot water passes. This hollow tube makes touch with bent brass fins housed in an FDM (fused deposition technique printed) holder's micro-channel staggered array of holder slots. The fins are arranged in such a way that the heat exchanger has the most surface area in the least amount of space. The paper aims at comprehensive test and trial on the flat face heat exchangers that have been fabricated and testing has been done to evaluate performance parameters of the heat exchanger. As the temperature gradient grows, the overall heat transfer coefficient rises as a result of lower pressures and higher temperatures.