Introduction

Radiators are heat exchangers used for cooling internal combustion engines,

mainly in automobiles but also in piston-engined aircraft, railway locomotives,
motorcycles, stationary generating plant or any similar use of such an engine.
Internal combustion engines are often cooled by circulating a liquid
called engine coolant through the engine block, and cylinder head where it is
heated, then through a radiator where it loses heat to the atmosphere, and then
returned to the engine. Engine coolant is usually water-based, but may also be oil.
It is common to employ a water pump to force the engine coolant to circulate, and
also for an axial fan to force air through the radiator.
Construction of radiator
 Working of radiator
In a radiator, there is a tank on each side, and inside contained a transmission
cooler. There are inlet and outlet ports, which from the inlet port coolant flows
to the tubes where they are exposed to cooling. The tubes are in a parallel
arrangement, where they come in contact with cooling fins to draw away heat
from the core.
As the hot water enters through the inlet port to the tubes, the cooling fan
behind the radiator cools down the hot water in the tubes. The cool coolant
then passes through the outlet port back to the engine to cool the hot part
again.
 Types of radiator
Tabular Type:
It is the series combination of upper and lower tanks through which water
passes. Fins are attached to improve heat transfer around the tubes. Outside of
the tubes, the air is passed between the fins that absorbing heat from the water.
The water passes through all the tubes the cooling effect of the entire tube is
lost if one of the tubes becomes clogged. On a cellular radiator, the clogging of any
passage results in a loss but of a small part of the total cooling surface.

Cellular Type Core:

Air passes through the tubes and the water flows in the spaces between
them in cellular type core. The core contains a large number of air cells that are
surrounded by the radiator. It is known as a honeycomb radiator because of its
appearance as the cells in front are hexagonal in form.
On a cellular radiator, passage clogging results in a loss but small areas will be
affected by it. It consists of many small tubes equipped with a honeycomb-like
structure of fins to dissipate heat rapidly and cools hot liquid from the engine.
 Radiator Advantages
The following advantages of Radiator are:

• The radiator is of good heat dissipation. It obviously saves material

and energy.
• Good performance of oxidation corrosion resistance
• They are highly responsive.
• They are environmentally friendly to produce, so they are less
polluting.
• They are easy to mold, and so you can find some very cool and
unusual designs.
• Ceramic, cast iron, and other materials used to construct them will
hold heat.
 Radiator Disadvantages
The following disadvantages of Radiator are:

• Heat loss takes place if not used and maintained properly.

• Noisy operation
• It needs an adequate amount of airflow in order for a radiator to
properly work.
• The heats from the unit will simply sit around the unit, which can
reduce the comfort levels within your vehicle and create drafts
and cold spots.
• Radiators can grow extremely hot to the touch while working.
What Is The Sign of A Bad Radiator?
• Warmness will occur when the coolant cannot get where it needs to
go to cool the engine.
• The hoses could be clogged, or the level of coolant is too low.
• There may be a warning light on the dashboard, or the temperature
gauge will show too hot.
• If there is a broken hose, or the radiator is corroded with rust, you
may notice the smell of antifreeze or a tell-tale puddle on the
garage floor
• If smoke is coming from under the hood, the coolant may have
leaked onto the motor and it is being burnt off.
• However, if you see smoke coming from the muffler, it could mean
that the head gasket has been damaged from the engine warmness.
 Applications
The main uses or application of Radiator are:

• To cool motor oil or power steering fluid.

• Automatic transmission fluid.
• Air conditioner and Automobiles.
 References
1. "What type of cooling fan should I use?". Summit
Racing Equipment. US. 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
2. "What happens when my engine
overheats?". AutoKnowIt. US. January 30, 2022.
Retrieved February 13, 2022.
3. What is radiator? It’s working principle and types of
radiator, May 10, 2020 by saif M.,
www.theengineerspost.com
4. How does a radiator work?, Aug 4, 2021, www.uti.edu