Optimizing Design of EGR Cooler in Vehicle by Numerical Simulation

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is a technology used in internal combustion engines to reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Numerical simulation method is used to study the flow field and temperature distribution of the fluids inside the EGR cooler. In this study two models of EGR cooler have been compared. Model A is a standard shell and tube heat exchanger having baffles and seven plain tubes which are in staggered arrangement. Model B having a same geometry as well as same tube arrangement similar to model A, but the surface of the tube of heat exchanger is coated with Nickel chromium (NiCr). The inlet temperature of hot gases and cooled water are same in both the models. Then the both models are analysed in ANSYS FLUENT software. The results shows that coating enhances the heat exchanger rate and also increases overall efficiency of the shell and tube heat exchanger. In conclusion model B which is coated with Nickel chromium shows better overall performance than the standard model.