Finite Volume Approach Research Articles

Numerical investigation of double-flame hot-water boilers under steady-state operation

This study investigates the optimal arrangement of combustion chambers in double-flame hot-water boilers using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) under steady-state and laminar conditions. The study considers two arrangements: horizontal and vertical. In the horizontal layout, the study tests three vertical distances of Y*=-0.25, 0, and 0.25 from the center of the boiler and three horizontal gap spaces of S*=0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 between two chambers. In the vertical layout, the study examines three vertical distances of S*=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. The computations for both layouts are conducted for Richardson numbers ranging from 0.1 to 10 under a constant Reynolds number of 50. The Navier–Stokes equations along with the energy equation are implicitly computed based on the finite volume approach for single-phase water flow inside a simplified two-dimensional model. The results are validated for a single-flame hot-water boiler in terms of the Nusselt number and non-dimensional pressure drop, and a good agreement has been achieved. The study shows that the geometric parameters considered in the study, as well as the Richardson number, have significant impacts on the boiler performance. The study finds that the horizontal arrangement with S*=0.05 and Y*=-0.25 offers the highest thermal-hydraulic performance, regardless of the Richardson number.

Numerical Investigations on the Jet Dynamics during Cavitation Bubble Collapsing between Dual Particles

The jet dynamics during cavitation bubble collapsing between unequal-sized dual particles are investigated utilizing a numerical model that combines the finite volume approach alongside the volume of fluid approach. The model incorporates the compressibility of the two-phase fluid and accounts for mass and heat transfer between two phases. The computational model utilizes an axisymmetric model, where the axis of symmetry is defined as the line that connects the centers of the particles and the bubble. A comprehensive analysis is presented on the influence of the particle radius and bubble–particle distance on the jet behavior. Furthermore, the variations of surface pressure on the particles induced by jet impingement are quantitatively analyzed. Four distinct jet behaviors are categorized, depending on the formation mechanism, as well as the number and the direction of the jets. For case 1, the bubble produces a single jet directed toward a small particle; for case 2, the bubble fragments produces double jets receding from each other; for case 3, the bubble produces double jets approaching each other; and for case 4, the bubble produces a single jet directed toward a large particle. The pressure perturbations induced by jet impingement upon the particles exceed those caused by shock wave impacts. The larger the bubble volume at the moment of jet formation, the longer the duration of the pressure variation caused by the jet impinging on the particles.

Numerical Study of Three-Dimensional Models of Single- and Two-Phase Nanofluid Flow through Corrugated Channels

This study delves into computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) predictions for SiO2–water nanofluids, meticulously examining both single-phase and two-phase models. Employing the finite volume approach, we tackled the three-dimensional partial differential equations governing the turbulent mixed convection flow in a horizontally corrugated channel with uniform heat flux. The study encompasses two nanoparticle volume concentrations and five Reynolds numbers (10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, and 30,000) to unravel these intricate dynamics. Despite previous research on the mixed convection of nanofluids using both single-phase and two-phase models, our work stands out as the inaugural systematic comparison of their predictions for turbulent mixed convection flow through this corrugated channel, considering the influences of temperature-dependent properties and hydrodynamic characteristics. The results reveal distinct variations in thermal fields between the two-phase and single-phase models, with negligible differences in hydrodynamic fields. Notably, the forecasts generated by three two-phase models—Volume of Fluid (VOF), Eulerian Mixture Model (EMM), and Eulerian Eulerian Model (EEM)—demonstrate remarkable similarity in the average Nusselt number, which are 24% higher than the single-phase model (SPM). For low nanoparticle volume fractions, the average Nusselt number predicted by the two-phase models closely aligns with that of the single-phase model. However, as the volume fraction increases, differences emerge, especially at higher Reynolds numbers. In other words, as the volume fraction of the nanoparticles increases, the nanofluid flow becomes a multi-phase problem, as depicted by the findings of this study.

Convective heat transport in a porous wavy enclosure: Nonuniform multi-frequency heating with hybrid nanofluid and magnetic field

This work investigates the dynamics of the hybrid nanofluidic convective heat transfer in a permeable thermal system under the influence of multifrequency heating and a magnetic field. The geometry comprises a wavy-walled cavity filled with a water-based hybrid nanoliquid (Al2O3–Cu–H2O) in a saturated porous medium. The finite volume approach is applied to scrutinize the hydro-thermal characteristics resulting from bottom heating and side cooling, considering various flow-controlling parameters. The analysis reveals that nonuniform multi-frequency heating can be a highly effective strategy for enhancing heat transfer in complex geometries involving porous systems, nanofluid flow, and magnetic fields. Significant heat transfer improvement is observed at higher frequencies, with an increase of approximately 261.49 % when offset temperatures are introduced. Additionally, an increase in the undulation height of the wavy sidewalls contributes to a partial heat transfer improvement of 13.41 % compared to the case without undulations. The influence of the Darcy number, Hartmann number, porosity index, and nanoparticle concentration on heat transfer performance is also investigated. Higher Darcy and Hartmann numbers result in reduced thermal convection, while increased porosity enhances thermal convection. Elevated nanoparticle concentrations weaken the flow strength due to higher viscosity. System engineers can optimize heat transfer systems in their respective applications by comprehending the interactions between these flow-controlling parameters. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of the hydro-thermal phenomena in a multiphysics problem and provides a foundation for the development of more efficient heat transfer systems.

Development and benchmarking of space-time kinetics solver in REDAC

A space–time kinetics solver based on finite volume approach has been developed for REactor Dynamics Analysis Code (REDAC). It solves 3D multi-group neutron diffusion equation, coupled with the heat transport equations. Code offers flexibility in terms of reactor geometry, boundary conditions and discretization. Efficient numerical methods have been employed for solving the governing equations. The performance of the code has been demonstrated by solving diverse benchmark problems. It is shown that REDAC is able to predict important static and dynamic core parameters with good accuracy. The framework of REDAC easily lends itself for sensitivity studies with respect to spatial discretization and temporal integration schemes. From these studies, it is observed that spatial resolution could have significant influence on accuracy and the semi-implicit method performs better than the implicit method. Improved quasi-static method requires less computational time compared to the direct method, however, its accuracy depends on the time step size.

Numerical analysis of turbulent flow and heat transfer enhancement using V-shaped grooves mounted on the rotary kiln’s outer walls

Rotary kilns have been widely employed in various industrial uses, especially the cement production. This article deals with enhancing the thermal performance of a rotary kiln duct with V-shaped grooves mounted on the outer wall. Four V-shaped grooves with different depths h/D ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 were designed. The Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) of two-dimensional steady-state flow are used to model the governing flow equations by using the finite volume approach (FVM) in FLUENT. k-ε standard, k-ε Realizable, k-ω SST and k-ε RNG turbulence models of the RANS approach and the k -ω SST model has been adopted to validate CFD results. In this study, the numerical results have revealed that the increase in groove depth decrease the temperature of the rotary kiln’s outer wall than the smooth walls and gives the largest Nu number, especially for the groove with h/D =0.3 and 0.4 depths.

Splitting morphology of low-viscous finger at different junctions of microchannels

This paper reports the splitting morphology of low-viscous fingers in the microchannels that are associated with flat T-shaped, curved T-shaped, and Y-shaped junctions. The numerical simulations are based on the finite volume approach and the volume of the fluid model. In this study, microchannels are filled with silicon oil. Perfluorodecalin is used to displace silicon oil from the microchannels. Due to viscosity differences, the low-viscous finger (LVF)-shaped instability evolves at the interface of fluids. A single LVF propagates in the parent channel, and at the junction, it splits into two identical LVFs. It is noted that the splitting morphology of LVF depends upon the shape of the junction and its wettability. Therefore, there are three different junctions, i.e. flat T-shaped, curved T-shaped, and Y-shaped, with three different wettability conditions [Formula: see text], i.e. hydrophilic ([Formula: see text]), hydrophobic ([Formula: see text]), and superhydrophobic ([Formula: see text]) are used for numerical investigation. It is found that a LVF splits symmetrically at all three different junctions but tips of LVFs are found to be convex in superhydrophobic conditions. The LVFs-shaped are curved in the limbs of curved T-shaped microchannel and straight in the limbs of flat T-shaped and Y-shaped microchannels. The findings of this paper may be used in lung biomechanics, respiratory diseases, biochemical testing, and many more.

Enhancing accuracy and efficiency: A novel implicit–explicit approach for fluid dynamics simulation

This study presents an innovative implicit–explicit time-stepping algorithm based on a first-order temporal accuracy method, addressing challenges in simulating all-regimes of fluid flows. The algorithm's primary focus is on mitigating stiffness inherent in the density-based “Roe” method, pivotal in finite volume approaches employing unstructured meshes. The objective is to comprehensively evaluate the method's efficiency and robustness, contrasting it with the explicit fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. This evaluation encompasses simulations across a broad spectrum of Mach numbers, including scenarios of incompressible and compressible flow. The scenarios investigated include the Sod Riemann problem to simulate compressible Euler equations, revealing the algorithm's versatility, and the low Mach number Riemann problem to analyze system stiffness in incompressible flow. Additionally, Navier–Stokes equations are employed to study viscous and unsteady flow patterns around stationary cylinders. The study scrutinizes two time-stepping algorithms, emphasizing accuracy, stability, and computational efficiency. The results demonstrate the implicit–explicit Runge–Kutta algorithm's superior accuracy in predicting flow discontinuities in compressible flow. This advantage arises from the semi-implicit nature of the equations, reducing numerical errors. The algorithm significantly enhances accuracy and stability for low Mach number Riemann problems, addressing increasing stiffness as Mach numbers decrease. Notably, the algorithm optimizes computational efficiency for both low Mach number Riemann problems and viscous flows around cylinders, reducing computational costs by 38%–68%. The investigation extends to a two dimensional hypersonic inviscid flow over cylinder and double Mach reflection case, showcasing the method's proficiency in capturing complex and hypersonic flow behavior. Overall, this research advances the understanding of time discretization techniques in computational fluid dynamics, offering an effective approach for handling a wide range of Mach numbers while improving accuracy and efficiency.

Thermo-entropy analysis of water-FMWCNT nano-fluid flow in a backward-facing channel with obstacle

Thermo hydraulic analysis of nano-fluid flow phenomena through backward-facing channel has currently gained attention of the researchers, and is applied in a variety of engineering applications. Hydro-thermal properties of water/FMWCNT nano-fluid flow in a backward-facing channel embedded with an obstacle under uniform heat flux have been studied numerically with the variations in the values of Reynolds numbers ( Re ) , weight percentage of carbon nano-particle ( wt . % ) , and differently shaped obstacles. The governing equations (continuity, x-momentum, y-momentum, and energy) have been solved using the finite volume approach, and fluent software has been used to visualize the simulation results. Impact of various forms of obstacle (plane, elliptical, and triangular), the ratio of obstacle height to width (A/B), the ratio of obstacle pitch to width ( B 1 / B ) , wt . % , and the values of Re on the different rheological behaviour of nano-fluid flow have been investigated. For all the forms of obstacle configuration, the distributions of velocity streamlines, temperature contours, absolute pressure drop ( Δ p ) , average friction factor ( F ) , local Nusselt number ( Nu ( x ) ) , skin friction coefficients ( c f ( x ) ) , average Nusselt number ( N u avg ), and pumping power ( P ) have been demonstrated for several values of Re ( 1 , 50 and 150 ) , and wt . % ( 0 , 0.12 and 0.25 ) . For several values of Re and wt . % , generations of frictional entropy ( N frictional ) , thermal entropy ( N thermal ) , and Bejan number ( Be ) have been explored. It seems that the presence of obstacle, and the increase in the values of Re , wt . % causes the rise of the values of Δ p , P , and N u avg than the case of smooth channel. Moreover, at wt . % = 0.25 and Re = 150 , it has been found that the % increase in N u avg becomes 47.37 in the case of backward-facing channel with plane obstacle (A/B = 1) as compared to the case of smooth channel. Furthermore, at a constant value of wt . % it has been found that the generation of N thermal decreases but the generation of N frictional entropy increases with the rise in the values of Re .

Design study on the parameters influencing the performance of floating solar PV

Floating solar PV, or FPV, refers to the installation of solar PV panels on floating platforms over water bodies for power generation. This technology offers higher efficiency and superior power generation by minimizing the solar PV cell temperature. The parameters affecting the performance of floating solar PV and its design differ from those of the conventional solar PV system. To ensure the successful implementation of this technology, a thorough understanding of its design configuration and proper installation in different geographical locations is crucial. The current study aims to evaluate the impact of wind, ambient temperature, water temperature, height and tilt angle in an FPV. The effect of these parameters on the temperature drop in an FPV cell due to the combination of wind and water is compared with a free-standing photovoltaic module allied with the NOCT condition (NOCT PV), where the source of cooling is only wind. Concerning it, CFD simulation was carried out for a 2D solar PV module using a finite volume approach. Multiple simulations were performed by changing different combinations of parameters to optimize the design of FPV. It is found that a minimum of 5 °C temperature difference between wind and water is required for heat transfer enhancement in FPV. The lower height and tilt angle favour FPV in reducing the temperature of solar PV cells. At higher heights and tilt angles, the heat transfer by the wind in the NOCT PV is better than that in the FPV. For a tilt angle less than 45°, irrespective of height, FPV performs well. For a tilt angle greater than 55°, the solar PV cell temperature of NOCT PV is lower than that of FPV. This variation is observed to be the impact of high wind velocity in NOCT PV compared to FPV. Further, the simulation result revealed that FPV provides maximum cooling to the PV cell at 0° tilt with a height of 1500 mm.

Modeling and simulation of the cavitation phenomenon in turbopumps

This paper presents a model for simulating a two-phase flow involving cavitation and condensation, focusing on its application to turbopump flows. The model is derived by extending Kapila's approach, which incorporates thermal and free energy relaxation terms, to compressible multiphase flow equations in a rotating reference frame. The numerical method employed is a finite volume approach based on the Godunov scheme, ensuring pressure equilibrium and total energy conservation through a relaxation step. The model utilizes separate Equations of State (EOS) for the liquid and vapor phases, with the experimental saturation curve, expressed as psat(T), being the only parameter needed for cavitation modeling. To broaden its applicability beyond axial pumps, a specific Riemann solver is developed to couple rotating and non-rotating regions within the flow domain. The thermodynamic phase change process is validated using simple cases, and the model is further utilized to simulate water flows in a turbopump inducer. The characteristic curve of the pump is obtained in the non-cavitating regime for several mass flow rates conditions, and the model is successfully assessed in severe cavitation conditions, demonstrating the performance breakdown caused by vapor pockets. The modeling also provides detailed flow descriptions, including analysis of vapor pockets and their impact on blade pressure loading.

Computational modeling of nanofluid heat transfer using Fuzzy-based bee algorithm and machine learning method

A hybrid computational method via CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and artificial intelligence was developed for studying heat transfer in nanofluid. The finite volume approach was used to solve the fluid flow equations through a pipe containing CuO nanofluid and the obtained temperature distribution was used to develop the artificial intelligence-based models. Optimization of tree-based ensemble models for predicting temperature values based on the CFD input features of x-coordinate and y-coordinate were carried out. The tree-based ensembles, i.e., Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Extra Tree, and Adaboost Decision Trees, are optimized using the Fuzzy-based Bee Algorithm (FBA) to enhance their performance. The Extra Tree model achieved an excellent fitting with an R2 criterion of 0.99779, and RMSE of 1.7977E-01. The Random Forest model achieved slightly higher correlative accuracy, with an R2 criterion of 0.99865, and RMSE value of 1.4336E-01. The Adaboost Decision Trees model also demonstrated strong performance, with an R2 criterion of 0.99846, and RMSE of 1.5394E-01. However, the Gradient Boosting model exhibited slightly lower fitting accuracy, with an R2 score of 0.99258, and RMSE of 3.4090E-01.

Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian finite volume IMEX schemes for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on evolving Chimera meshes

In this article we design a finite volume semi-implicit IMEX scheme for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on evolving Chimera meshes. We employ a time discretization technique that separates explicit and implicit terms, accommodating the multi-scale nature of the governing equations, which involve both time scales of diffusion and advection operators. The finite volume approach for both explicit and implicit terms allows to encode into the nonlinear flux the velocity of displacement of the Chimera mesh via integration on moving cells. The numerical solution is then projected onto the physically meaningful solution manifold of non-solenoidal fields that stems from the energy equation. To attain second-order time accuracy, we employ semi-implicit IMEX Runge-Kutta schemes. These novel schemes are combined with a fractional-step method, thus the governing equations are eventually solved using a projection method to satisfy the divergence-free constraint of the velocity field. The implicit discretization of the viscous terms allows the CFL-type stability condition for the maximum admissible time step to be only defined by the relative fluid velocity referred to the movement of the frame and not depending on the viscous terms. Communication between different grid blocks is enabled through compact exchange of information from the fringe cells of one mesh block to the field cells of the other block. The continuity of the solution is recovered in one-shot during the solution of the arising algebraic systems by not involving neither direct discretization of the differential operators on fringe cells nor an iterative Schwartz-type method. Free-stream preservation property, i.e. compliance with the Geometric Conservation Law (GCL), is respected at the order of the scheme. The accuracy and capabilities of the new numerical schemes are proved through an extensive range of test cases, demonstrating ability to solve relevant benchmarks in the field of incompressible fluids.

A numerical study on the effects of inclination angle and container material on thermal energy storage by phase change material in a thick-walled disc

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of inclination angle on the thermal energy storage capability of a phase change material (PCM) within a disc-shaped container. Different container materials are also tested such as plexiglass and aluminium. This study aims to assess the energy storage capacity, melting behaviour and temperature distributions of PCM with a specific melting range (22°C–26°C) for various governing parameters such as inclination angles, aspect ratios (AR) and temperature differences (ΔT) and compare the melting behaviour and energy storage performance of PCM in aluminium containers to those in plexiglass containers.Design/methodology/approachA finite volume approach was adopted to evaluate the thermal energy storage capability of PCMs. Five inclination angles ranging from 0° to 180° were considered and the energy storage capacity. Also, the melting behaviour of the PCM and temperature distributions of the container with different materials were tested. Two different AR and ΔT values were chosen as parameters to analyse for their effects on the melting performance of the PCM. Conjugate heat transfer problem is solved to see the effects of conduction mode of heat transfer.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that as AR decreases, the effect of the inclination angles on the energy storage capacity of the PCM decreases. For lower ΔT, the difference between the maximum and minimum stored energies was 20.88% for AR = 0.20, whereas it was 6.85% for AR = 0.15. Furthermore, under the same conditions, the PCM stored 8.02% more energy in plexiglass containers than in aluminium containers.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of the influence of inclination angle, container material, AR and ΔT on the thermal energy storage capabilities of PCM in a novel designed container. The findings highlight the importance of AR in mitigating the effect of the inclination angle on energy storage capacity. Additionally, comparing aluminium and plexiglass containers provides insights into the effect of container material on the melting behaviour and energy storage properties of PCM.

Numerical Investigation on the Conical Flow of Viscoelastic Fluids

The conical problem represents one of the important problems in the various fields of industrial as the automotive industry and the aerospace industry, due to their great role in controlling the flow of liquids and gases. This article covers a computational investigation of incompressible the Phan–Thien/Tanner shear-thinning viscoelastic fluid flow through a conical converging channel. Here, we select hybrid finite element/finite volume algorithm as a first time to treat such problem. This method consists of the combination of a Taylor-Galerkin/pressure correction finite element method (TGPC-FEM) and a cell-vertex finite volume approach (CV-FEA) to solve the system of partial differential equations that govern the fluid flow. The TGPC-FEM is employed to the momentum and mass conservation models, while the stress constitutive models are treated by finite volume implementation. The findings of current study are concerned with stress response, deformation rate, and pressure drop under variations in Weissenberg number and EPTT parameters. The effect of shear-thinning behaviour with the EPTT representation is also considered.

Development and validation of a model for an air-to-air air conditioner

Air conditioning units are responsible for a significant amount of global warming, with demand predicted to triple by 2050. Mathematical models aid in designing energy efficient air conditioners that can contribute to climate change mitigation. This study presents a steady-state model for a air-to-air air conditioner. The proposed model can assist in reducing the number of experiments and optimizing the efficiency of air conditioning systems. It utilizes a bottom-up approach to solve for compressor, condenser, capillary tube, and evaporator sub-models. The compressor is modelled using polynomial equations to determine refrigerant mass flow rate and power consumption based on operating temperatures. Heat exchanger models are solved using finite volume approach and reliable correlations are used for void fraction, friction factor, and heat transfer coefficient calculations. The closing equations are the mass conservation, i.e. constant refrigerant charge, and the equivalence between the mass flow rate sucked by the compressor and the one that flows through the capillary tube, while the evaporating and condensing pressures are the independent variables. The capillary tube is modelled using semiempirical correlations. The model is validated against experimental data at various operating conditions and shows a ±7% agreement for predicted cooling capacity.

CFD analysis of thermal fluid dynamic parameters inside an organ pipe: influence of air temperature variations

Organ pipes represent a fluid-dynamic challenge since the time of Bernoulli and Reynolds. A complete and reliable description of the fluid behaviour at the basement of the resonator named the “mouth” of the pipe is still absent. In the context of the design of an air-heating system for the attenuation of the inconsistencies between sounding frequencies of organ pipes, computing efforts were carried out focusing on the fluid-dynamic behaviour of the air at the mouth of the pipe at different temperature conditions. Describing the air dynamic and the heat transfer at the mouth level of the pipe, it would be possible to predict the heating conditions within the pipe resonator, which was the main subject of the project. Multiple points on the pipe organ air blowing scheme were considered for simulation results extraction. Temperature, pressure, and audio measurements were performed and no significant influence of the temperature on those parameters was raised from measurements, rising questions about the effective behaviour of the blowed air at the mouth of the pipe. Simulations were performed to predict both the fluid dynamic and the heat transfer. A finite volume approach in Fluent environment was chosen. The SST k-omega model was considered in reliability vs computation time balance. 3D simulations were performed based on a CAD reconstructed model of a real pipe. The results of the simulations confirmed experimental data, and they may prove the absence of a significant mass exchange between the in and outside of the mouth of the pipe. The oscillation of the air membrane at the mouth of the pipe may be cleared from instabilities and turbulence regime phenomena, as usually described in the literature.

Environmental and energy assessment of photovoltaic-thermal system combined with a reflector supported by nanofluid filter and a sustainable thermoelectric generator

This study focuses on new design of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) unit through the utilization of a cylindrical reflector. The integration of a thermoelectric generator layer fabricated from Cu2SnS3 (CTS) and a nanofluid spectral filter composed of a MgO-water mixture within PVT leads to performance enhancement. A mathematical approach was established involving optical features and the Finite volume approach was employed for simulation. The validity of the method was verified through comparison with experimental data. By introducing fins and a filter duct, along with a cylindrical reflector, the overall performance is enhanced by 36.3%. Adding a reflector into the finned structure leads to an overall performance improvement of approximately 5.7% and 4.7% with and without a nanofluid filter. By increasing the velocity of the filter, the electrical performance was enhanced resulting in an improvement of 37.7% when a reflector is present. Integrating a reflector, fins and filter in a combined system leads to the maximum reduction in CO2 emission with a value 2 times higher than that of conventional PV.

NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF COUPLED HEAT TRANSFER WITH PHASE CHANGE AND THERMITE REACTION

The thermite reaction is a self-sustained exothermic reaction commonly employed in welding processes of railway tracks, material synthesis, pyrotechnics, etc. More recently, this reaction has been assessed to plug depleted oil wells. The investigated geometry is modeled as a two-dimensional axisymmetric domain with a thermite mixture compressed between a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lid and a stainless steel disk. First-order kinetic is assumed for the chemical kinetics model. The governing equations are discretized with the finite-volume approach. Experimental validation is performed by comparing numerical combustion velocities and peak temperatures with the experimental data in the literature. The results demonstrate a remarkable thermal gradient through the longitudinal direction, displaying higher thermal losses next to the thermite-steel interface. These heat losses also affect the melting of species, as a small portion of alumina remains entirely solid during the reaction.

Numerical modelling of an electric motor cooling jacket

The automotive industry is amid a sweeping change of propulsion technology to meet the increasingly stringent limits on emissions and fuel consumption. Traditional combustion engines are gradually being replaced by electric motors or hybrid power trains. The efficiency and power density levels achievable by electric motors are entirely dependent on the effectiveness of the employed cooling solution. Therefore, extensive analyses are needed to determine and optimise the thermal performance of these systems. In this work a numerical model is developed to determine the friction losses and the heat transfer properties of an electric motor cooling jacket. The cooling channels, which coil along the circumferential direction within the motor casing, are studied by means of CFD analysis of a basic periodic module. Flow and temperature fields are determined by applying a 3D Finite Volume approach. Numerical solutions are obtained by means of a validated conjugate heat transfer solver. Integral flow field results are employed to derive the equivalent Darcy friction factor and side-wall specific Nusselt numbers for several flow regimes. A lumped parameter thermal model, based on the graph theory and aforementioned CFD results is also developed to determine the overall system performance. The equivalent thermal resistances are computed from geometric parameters and CFD results. Finally preliminary numerical results on friction losses and heat transfer are compared with available experimental data.