Development of Compact Twin Circuit Heat Exchanger in the Cooling System of a Combat Vehicle 2005-26-341

This paper deals with the configuration, design, optimization and development of twin circuit coolant heat exchanger for cooling a combat vehicle engine and transmission. Arriving at the configuration of coolant heat exchanger is very critical for the engine in a combat vehicle which has to perform at high ambient temperature. The coolant heat exchanger has been configured with two independent circuits. Performance of heat exchanger with compact aluminium plate & fin core matrix was predicted and a suitable matrix was selected. A scaled model was developed and tested in the test rig for heat transfer & pressure drop characteristics. The fin combination was finalized based on the evaluation in the test rig. The geometry of headers was arrived based on CFD analysis to offer improved flow distribution and lesser pressure drop. The prototype coolant heat exchangers were developed with finalized fin configuration and headers as per CFD analysis.