Spreadsheet for Calculation of Radiator Cooling
you may change items highlighed in red, other values are calculated and should n
Assumptions:
1. Engine heat generated is constant (efficiency loss specifie
2. The heat removed by the radiator is proportional to the diff
3. There is no steam generated (i.e. you haven't lost the battl
4. Everything is at steady state, i.e. you're just cruising along
Engine heat generated
4 HP
10178 BTU/hr
2983 Watts
10738 kjoule/hr
Specify engine heat as the hp
loss due to engine friction, heat, etc
It only takes about 25 hp to go 60mph
Water Flow Rate
1.0 gal/min
3.8 liter/min
Heat Capacity of flowing water
487 BTU/hr/deg F
925 kjoule/hr/deg K
Base Case: gives 192 out of engine and into radiator
engine heat 4 hp
water flow 1 gpm
air temp 80 deg F
heat trans. 100 BTU/hr/deg F
Sensitivity (deg. F) of radiator outlet temp to change of: Conclusions:
plus 20% minus 20% Engine heat and radiator heat transfer c
engine heat 23 -22 (air temperature is not controlable). The
water flow rate -2 3 is proportional to the heat generated b
air temp. 14 -16 The other controllable parameters (flow
heat trans. coeff. -17 26 inversely proportional to the flow rate.
What effects engine heat:
1. All the usualy stuff you hear about, e.g.
2. engine timing
3. carburetion
4. etc.
What effects radiator heat transfer coefficient:
1. air flow through the radiator
2. size and design of radiator (frontal area, rows of tubes, tube arrangement, etc.)
3. water flow through the radiator (weak dependence)
What effects air temperature:
1. God
Origins of the "Flows Too Fast" Theory
We've all heard the explanation that a restriction is required to keep the water from flowing too fast
The explanation goes on, if it flows too fast, it doesn't have a chance to cool down. The analysis above obviously d
not agree with this theory. I believe the theory arose from the observation that sometimes thermostats or other rest
at the water outlet improves cooling performance. Nothing wrong with the observation, but I believe the explanation
wrong. When you replace a restriction in the water outlet you decrease the water flow a bit, but you also increase th
pressure of the water inside the block. Increasing the water pressure increases its boiling point. Since steam does
transfer heat well, this improves cooling performance. You could probably achieve the same result by
using a higher pressure radiator cap or by adding antifreeze if you're not using it.
n of Radiator Cooling
es are calculated and should not be changed
nstant (efficiency loss specified in HP)
diator is proportional to the difference between air and water temperature
d (i.e. you haven't lost the battle), water properties at 180 deg F are used
, i.e. you're just cruising along at constant speed (principals apply irregardless)
Temperature into radiator
192 deg F
89 deg K
Radiator Heat Transfer Coefficient times internal Area
100 BTU/hr/deg F
190 kJoule/hr/deg K
Air Temperature (deg F)
80 deg F
27 deg K
Temperature out of radiator
171 deg F
77 deg K
Note:
Should use a log mean difference between air and water
temperatue, but this gives a very small effect.
owing water
eat and radiator heat transfer coefficient are the most important controllable parameters
erature is not controlable). The formulae show that the average temperature in the radiator (and the engine)
rtional to the heat generated by the engine and inversely proportional to the heat transfer coefficient.
r controllable parameters (flow rate) is of lesser importance. The difference between inlet and outlet temperature is
y proportional to the flow rate.
owing too fast through the radiator.
he analysis above obviously does
imes thermostats or other restrictions
n, but I believe the explanation is
w a bit, but you also increase the
oiling point. Since steam does not
e same result by
Water Heat Capacity at 82 deg K (180 deg F)
4.200 kjoule/kg/deg K
1.003 BTU/lb/deg F
Water Density at 82 deg K (180 deg F)
0.970 kg/liter
8.096 lb/gallon
Heat Capacity (gallons)
8.121 BTU/gal/deg F
4.074 kjoule/liter/deg K
Other Conversion Factors
3.785 liters/gallon
2.205 lb/kg
1.800 deg F/deg K
0.948 BTU/kjoule
2544.434 BTU/hr/hp
745.700 watts/hp
3.412 (BTU/hr)/watt
3.600 (kjoule/hr)/watt
