In this study, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler with dimpled rectangular tubes, whose heat exchange effectiveness is higher than that of a conventional cooler, is developed. To maximize the heat transfer between the exhaust gas and coolant, the dimples are formed on the surface of the heat exchange tubes. A dimpled-tube manufacturing process is established that comprises: dimple shape forming, edge bending, centre v-notch bending, compression, and plasma welding. The high effectiveness of the dimple-type EGR cooler is confirmed by the effectiveness-NTU method and experimental approaches under normal operating conditions. It is also important to verify the structural integrity, in view of the practical uses of the dimple-type EGR cooler. In order to confirm the safety of the EGR cooler, finite element analyses are carried out for each component, such as the oval core tube with a dimpled shape. The structural integrity under thermal stress and pressure, which are caused by gas and coolant flows in the shell and tubes, is evaluated through thermal and structural analyses.
An Experimental Study on the Heat Exchange Performance at Various EGR Cooler Types
