Philippine E-Journals

Design and Modification of Diesel Engine Radiator as a Fuel Heater

Yra Kim P. Sacdalan | Carlo Antonio T. Castillo | Kerwin O. Pamplona

 

Abstract:

Over the years, people have used automobiles in different ways; may it be public transportation, food trucks, cargo trucks or just a family used vehicle, automobiles have many roles. Automobile parts, like an engine, through time, have also been upgraded. This study designed and modified a diesel engine radiator as a fuel heater to determine whether radiators can be effective fuel heaters for diesel-engine automobiles. This uses the excess heat of the radiator to heat the fuel before it goes through the combustion chamber. The proponents added another pipeline on the radiator for the fuel -application of heat transfer used in this process. Before the fuel enters the combustion chamber, it is pre- heated by the radiator. The higher the temperature of the radiator, the more heat will transfer to the fuel. The data were gathered through an interview with professionals, who were expert in automobiles. An experiment was also conducted. Based on the design and computation of the prototype, the total project investment of the study would be 10,571.55 PHP. In the actual experiment, the researchers saved 14.44 Liters of diesel in distance of 218 KM, which cost 529.68 PHP. It was suggested that researchers who may pursue a similar investigation must consider using aluminum diesel engine radiator, instead of copper tube. They should replace it with an aluminum tube and put thermos wrapping on it for better heat transfer. Moreover, they should look for more efficient material for the hose of the diesel so that the heat of the diesel will not decrease when it enters the combustion chamber.