Numerical and experimental investigation of enhanced heat transfer radiator through air deflection used in fuel cell vehicles

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are an ideal power source for modern energy vehicles owing to their high efficiency, fast response, and zero emission. Because of the low heat exchange temperature difference and high power load, the cooling system in internal combustion engine vehicles can no longer satisfy the heat dissipation demand of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). Thus, the thermal management of FCVs must be improved, for which the compact radiator is a crucial component that discharges most of the waste heat outside the FCV. By inserting metal elbows into the airside of a compact radiator, we propose a novel structure aimed at promoting the thermal performance of a traditional compact radiator. The thermal and flow characteristics of the two types of radiators (traditional and optimised radiator) are compared, and the effect of the inserted windward bend structure is investigated numerically and experimentally. The Colburn j-factor and Fanning friction f-factor are calculated to evaluate the airside performance of the two radiators. The results indicate that the heat exchange is improved by 17.1%, 19.6%, 19.3%, and 22.5% accompanied with a modest increase in the pressure drop of 0.1%, 18%, 21%, and 18%, respectively, under four different operating conditions.