Cooling and Cooling System

ADORNADO C. VERGARA, ABE, Ph.D.

The cooling system
serves three important
functions. First, it
removes excess heat
from the engine; second,
it maintains the engine
operating temperature
where it works most
efficiently; and finally, it
brings the engine up to
the right
operating temperature as
quickly as possible.
Losses in the conversion of chemical into mechanical energy
a. Friction and mechanical losses
b. Cooling system losses
c. Exhaust heat losses
d. Losses due to radiation

In general, if an engine has a thermal efficiency of 25% then the losses are
approximately as follows:
a. Friction - 5%
b. Cooling system - 25%
c. Exhaust gases - 37%
d. Radiation, etc. - 8%
Results of Overheating
1. Piston and cylinder expands and the piston will stop motion
2. The Lubricating qualities of the oil supplies to the cylinder will be destroyed
3. Pre-ignition of the fuel mixture results in knocking and loss of power

• The optimum working temperatures of an engine is below the boiling

temperature of water at 71OC to 93.3O
 Types of Cooling System

1. Air-cooled
1. Cooling effects is produced by fins and projections on the cylinder wall
2. The flywheel is equipped with blades and blow the cooling air
3. Applications: airplanes, motorcycles, lawn mowers and most one-
cylinder stationary engines
2. Liquid-cooling usually by water
1. Open jacket or hopper
• With a hollow space around the cylinders called “water jacket”
• Used for 1-cylinder engine
• More liquid is needed and water maybe splashed out
2. Thermosiphon
• No pump, the difference of specific gravity of cool and heated air
propels the water movement
3. Forced circulation
• Same as a thermosiphon except the presence of a pump at the cold
side
The advantages are:
1. Water is cooled faster
2. Less liquid is required
3. A uniform temperature can be maintained
3. Combination of air and liquid
- Used most commonly where the pump and fan are mounted in the same shaft
and driven by the V-belt from the crankshaft
Comparison of Air-cooled and Liquid-cooling
Cooling system Advantages
Air-cooled -Light in weight
-simpler construction
-More convenient and less
troublesome
-no danger of freezing over cold
weather
Liquid-cooled Water is usually used since
-it is plenty
-a good heat absorber
-circulates freely as liquid
-neutral and less harmful
Disadvantages
-difficult to maintain proper
cooling
-almost impossible to fully
control the cylinder temperature
- requires the use of heavier
lubricating oil
Disadvantages of water
-high freezing point
- cause excessive corrosion of
radiator (rain water is the best)
-may cause deposits in the
cylinder jacket
-requires replenishing due to
drains during evaporation
Cooling Liquid Additives
1. Coolants – increases the heat absorbing quality of the liquid (water)
2. Anti-freezants – prevents freezing of water in the cold and temperate
regions
End