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Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / Kirby S. Chapman / The purpose of this thesis is to present on the development and results of the cooling system logic tree and model developed as part of the Pipeline Research Council International, Inc (PRCI) funded project at the Kansas State National Gas Machinery Laboratory. PRCI noticed that many of the legacy engines utilized in the natural gas transmission industry were plagued by cooling system problems. As such, a need existed to better understand the heat transfer mechanisms from the combusting gases to the cooling water, and then from the cooling water to the environment. To meet this need, a logic tree was developed to provide guidance on how to balance and identify problems within the cooling system and schedule appropriate maintenance. Utilizing information taken from OEM operating guides, a cooling system model was developed to supplement the logic tree in providing further guidance and understanding of cooling system operation. The cooling system model calculates the heat loads experienced within the engine cooling system, the pressures within the system, and the temperatures exiting the cooling equipment. The cooling system engineering model was developed based upon the fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer experienced by the coolant within the system. The inputs of the model are familiar to the operating companies and include the characteristics of the engine and coolant piping system, coolant chemistry, and engine oil system characteristics. Included in the model are the various components that collectively comprise the engine cooling system, including the water cooling pump, aftercooler, surge tank, fin-fan units, and oil cooler. The results of the Excel-based model were then compared to available field data to determine the validity of the model. The cooling system model was then used to conduct a parametric investigation of various operating conditions including part vs. full load and engine speed, turbocharger performance, and changes in ambient conditions. The results of this parametric investigation are summarized as charts and tables that are presented as part of this thesis.

<p>One of the major challenges in the field of internal combustion engines is keeping up with the advancements in electrification and hybridization. Automakers are striving to design environment – friendly and highly efficient engines to meet stringent emission standards worldwide. Improving engine efficiency and reducing heat losses are critical aspects of this development. Therefore, accurate heat transfer prediction capabilities play a vital role in engine design process. Current methods rely on computationally intensive 3D numerical analyses, there is a growing interest in reliable simplified models. </p> <p>In this study, a 1D diesel engine model featuring predictive combustion was integrated with a detailed finite element thermal primitive based on the 3D meshing feature available in GT Suite. Coolant and oil hydraulic circuits were incorporated in the model. The model proves to be an effective means to assess the impact on heat rejection and engine heat distribution given by an engine calibration and operating conditions. </p> <p>This work also contributes to the advancement of virtual IC engine development methods by focusing on the design and tuning of complex engine system models using GT Power for accurate prediction of engine performance. The current processes in engine simulations are assessed to identify sources of errors and opportunities for improvements. The methods discussed in this work include isolated sub system level calibration and model evolution specifically address the issue of identifying noise factors and issues in smaller parts. Additionally, the study aims on improving the model’s trustworthiness by computing 1st law sanity checks, replicating real-life compressor map calculations and refining GT’s existing global convergence criteria. </p>