Numerical Analysis of Different Configurations of Fins using CFD for Application in IC Engine

Due to increasing demand of high power and efficiency, there is a need to improve internal combustion engine sub systems. The effective cooling system of IC engine can lead to reduction in average temperature of important engine parts like piston, valve, piston ring, injection system, etc. And saving in lubrication oil will reduce engine maintenance cost and increase engine life. Effectiveness of heat rejection systems by air cooling methods mainly depends on heat transferring area; more heat transfer area can be achieved by providing fins on cylinder block. The fin parameters like length, pitch, thickness, number of fins and materials have great influence on heat transfer rates, so if sole purpose is to increase heat transfer rates than shape of fin will play crucial role in increasing heat loss capacity of cylinder block of same size and same materials. In this paper, Ansys CFX 18.0 is used for CFD analysis. First of all, Results of CFD analysis is validated with past experimental work. Then CFD analysis is done for rectangular fins, trapezoidal fins, triangular fins, parabolic fins, elliptical fins, permeable fins, inclined fins for vertical engines. And results of these analyses are compared to see which type of fins give better heat transfer performance.