Radiator Heated by a Solar Panel CFD Simulation

This module introduces mechanical engineering students to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of a radiator heated by a solar panel using ANSYS Fluent, emphasizing thermal management and heat transfer applications.

Key aspects covered:

Introduction to radiator design principles and solar thermal integration in heating systems
Importing a pre-made mesh of a radiator system coupled with a solar panel into ANSYS Fluent
Setting up boundary conditions to simulate heat transfer from the solar panel to the radiator fluid
Configuring ANSYS Fluent for heat transfer and fluid flow simulation
Running the simulation to analyze thermal performance of the solar-powered radiator system
Visualizing temperature distribution across the radiator and fluid flow patterns
Analyzing heat transfer rates from the solar panel to the radiator and from the radiator to the environment
Examining the effects of fluid flow rate and solar input on radiator performance
Introduction to concepts such as thermal efficiency and heat dissipation
Basic interpretation of results to understand radiator performance in a solar-powered setup

This tutorial provides practical experience in using ANSYS Fluent for thermal-fluid analysis in heating systems. Learners will gain insights into how radiators distribute heat from a renewable energy source (solar panel) and how various factors affect their performance. The module emphasizes the application of CFD in analyzing and optimizing thermal management systems, a crucial area in mechanical engineering. This knowledge is valuable for designing more efficient heating systems, improving energy utilization in buildings, and contributing to sustainable thermal management solutions.