A study of the fouling characteristics of EGR coolers in diesel engines

Abstract

Diesel emission regulations have recently become more severe. An important goal in diesel engine research is the development of methods to reduce the emissions of NOx and PM (particulate matter). Cooled EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system has been widely used to reduce the NOx and PM emissions of light-duty diesel engines. In this study, numerical analyses, rig tests and engine tests were performed to assess how changes in internal shape characteristics can improve the heat exchange efficiencies of EGR coolers. The heat exchange efficiencies of EGR coolers have been numerically and experimentally measured during a fouling process. The results show that the second type of oval EGR cooler tested (oval #2) exhibited better heat exchange efficiency than either the first type of oval EGR cooler was tested (oval #1) or the shell and tube cooler examined. The turbulence generated in exhaust gas flows by the wavy-finned design of the oval EGR coolers facilitated PM desorption that allows these coolers to self-purify. With respect to the two similar oval EGR coolers, the cooler with fin pitch 4 mm has better efficiency than the cooler with fin pitch 6 mm due to differences in the heat transfer areas of these coolers. Both CFD analyses involving extreme conditions of engine operation and engine fouling tests involving conditions experienced during vehicular operation indicate that the two oval coolers differed by less than 4% with respect to both initial heat transfer efficiency and heat transfer efficiency after a 78-hour fouling test.