Cooling Flow Simulation in the Enclosure of Mobile Generator
A thermal and airflow simulation model is developed for three-dimensional cooling flow study of ventilation and heat transfer inside a mobile generator’s enclosure. The purpose of this design is to achieve better sound attenuation while keeping proper cooling of the engine and generator. This paper focuses its objectives on the adjustment and improvement of cooling performances of some design factors like vent size, vent positions, fan’s flow rate and airflow route based on the CFD approach. A zero-equation HVAC turbulence model was employed and the simulation results were compared with the standard k-ε model. Numerical results show that the proper distribution in the intake vents helps in achieving uniform cooling flow distributions by avoiding the occurrence of hot spots on the engine and generator surfaces. Pressure drop through muffler and radiator are both important factors. Effective flow path arrangement is also found to be one of the most fatal factors in the thermal and noise management.