Optimising ventilation-system design for a container-housed engine

  1. Sala, J.M. 1
  2. López-González, L.M. 2
  3. Ruiz de Adana, M. 2
  4. Eguía, J. 1
  5. Flores, I. 1
  6. Míguez, J.L. 3
  1. 1 Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
    info

    Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

    Lejona, España

    ROR https://ror.org/000xsnr85

  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  3. 3 Universidade de Vigo
    info

    Universidade de Vigo

    Vigo, España

    ROR https://ror.org/05rdf8595

Revista:
Applied Energy

ISSN: 0306-2619

Año de publicación: 2006

Volumen: 83

Número: 10

Páginas: 1125-1138

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1016/J.APENERGY.2005.11.008 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-33745915519 WoS: WOS:000239677800007 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: Applied Energy

Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Resumen

Containerised cogeneration sets, CCSs, are an efficient answer for remote developing regions which do not have alternative energy sources and for those applications requiring mobility and the quick installation of energy plants. Nevertheless, CCSs can present over-heating problems as a result of inefficient ventilation. The heat dissipated by each of the 28 elements under consideration in the engine compartment was assessed, together with the mass flow rate of air supplied to the cab and the air temperature at the inlet and outlet. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model has been developed that allows for simulation of the parameters of velocity, temperature and pressure and for calculating the heat flows in a CCS with a reciprocating diesel engine, with an alternator power of 903 kW. Predictions from this model have been contrasted with the experimental data obtained in a series of measurements. The CFD model has been used to analyse possible alternatives for improving the ventilation system. Besides the use of insulation to reduce the heat dissipated, other alternatives have been studied: e.g., improving the airflow by fitting a metal sheet as a deflector, or using a third fan. Of the three alternatives analysed, the company has decided to incorporate the simplest and cheapest, consisting in fitting a metal sheet around the alternator. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.