Intercoolers
- Submitted by: gibgibs
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- Category: Science
- Date Submitted: 12/21/2011 02:20 AM
- Pages: 5
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Intercoolers
Abstract
Intercoolers use the same principle used in the heat exchanger experiment. Intercoolers have a similar shape with a radiator, but it has a different function. The cooling process will be explained, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the system. I will also discuss about how it can be improved.
1.0 Introduction:
1.1 What is an intercooler?
Intercoolers are basically used in internal combustion engines which uses a turbocharger. A turbocharger consists of two main parts, the turbine (driven by the exhaust gasses of the engine), and the compressor (compresses the intake air of the engine). The intercooler is used to cool down the compressed air created by the compressor, which became hot due to the compression. Compression of the air is required to deliver more energy to the engine, since compressed air contains more oxygen molecules, thus, increasing the amount of fuel completely combusted, meaning more energy delivered. But the problem with compressed air is that it is hot, and may cause auto-ignition of the air fuel mixture, causing heat build-up in the engine, and also causing engine knock, leading to engine damage. The intercooler is then created and connected to the compressor of a turbocharger in order to cool the compressed air using the flow of air through the intercooler. This uses the same principle with the heat exchanger experiment as well as the free and forced convection experiment, using air as the moving fluid.
1.2 Convection
Heat is exchanged between two flowing fluids in the intercooler’s system, the ambient air and the compressed engine intake air. The temperature difference between the ambient air and the compressed air causes heat transfer to occur. For intercoolers in fast moving cars, the air is cooled by forced convection, since the car is moving against the ambient air, and the compressed air is forced to move through the intercooler by the compressor.
Heat transferred can be...
Abstract
Intercoolers use the same principle used in the heat exchanger experiment. Intercoolers have a similar shape with a radiator, but it has a different function. The cooling process will be explained, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the system. I will also discuss about how it can be improved.
1.0 Introduction:
1.1 What is an intercooler?
Intercoolers are basically used in internal combustion engines which uses a turbocharger. A turbocharger consists of two main parts, the turbine (driven by the exhaust gasses of the engine), and the compressor (compresses the intake air of the engine). The intercooler is used to cool down the compressed air created by the compressor, which became hot due to the compression. Compression of the air is required to deliver more energy to the engine, since compressed air contains more oxygen molecules, thus, increasing the amount of fuel completely combusted, meaning more energy delivered. But the problem with compressed air is that it is hot, and may cause auto-ignition of the air fuel mixture, causing heat build-up in the engine, and also causing engine knock, leading to engine damage. The intercooler is then created and connected to the compressor of a turbocharger in order to cool the compressed air using the flow of air through the intercooler. This uses the same principle with the heat exchanger experiment as well as the free and forced convection experiment, using air as the moving fluid.
1.2 Convection
Heat is exchanged between two flowing fluids in the intercooler’s system, the ambient air and the compressed engine intake air. The temperature difference between the ambient air and the compressed air causes heat transfer to occur. For intercoolers in fast moving cars, the air is cooled by forced convection, since the car is moving against the ambient air, and the compressed air is forced to move through the intercooler by the compressor.
Heat transferred can be...