Experimental study of the effects of a particle filter in front of automotive radiator on its cooling performances and cooling drag

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the single greatest worldwide health risk especially in urban environments. In these areas, the vehicle traffic significantly contributes to the fine dust concentration in the ambient air. While the current legislation focuses mainly on the exhaust emission of vehicles, 85% of the overall fine dust emissions originating from brakes, tires, and road abrasion are not yet regulated. In this context, an integrated particulate filter system fitted into previously unused installation spaces in frontend of a vehicle in front of the radiator allows to compensate a part of the particle emissions of a vehicle try to reach the neutral emission. Add filter is not without consequences for the cooling performances. This study aims to assess the impact of the particulate filter system on the radiator cooling performances and cooling drag coefficient. An experimental setup was developed to characterize an automotive radiator with and without particle filter in terms of power and velocity distribution. Cooling capacity of the radiator depends clearly of the airflow through the radiator. Filter increases the pressure drop and decreases airflow. Hence, the heat power exchange can be reduced up to 10% for a pressure drop level almost twice. The airflow inlet inside engine compartment is not beneficial for aerodynamic aspect. By increasing pressure drop, the cooling drag coefficient can be reduced up to 10% when a filter covers entirely the radiator surface. The results indicate that the filter affects the cooling capacity of the radiator, which can require modifications to the cooling system strategy.