I. Different definitions and working principles of intercooler and radiator
Intercoolers are generally only visible in cars with superchargers installed. Because the intercooler is actually a turbocharged accessory, its role is to reduce the high temperature air temperature after pressurization, so as to reduce the heat load of the engine, improve the intake volume, and then increase the power of the engine. For the turbocharged engine, the intercooler is an important component of the turbocharged system. Whether it is a supercharged engine or a turbocharged engine, it is necessary to install an intercooler between the supercharger and the intake manifold
The role of the automotive cooling system is to keep the car within the proper temperature range in all working conditions. The cooling system of a car can be divided into air cooling and water cooling. Using air as cooling medium is called air cooling system, using coolant as cooling medium is called water cooling system. Usually, the water cooling system consists of water pump, radiator, cooling fan, thermostat, compensation bucket, engine body and water jacket in cylinder head and other auxiliary devices. Among them, the radiator is responsible for the cooling of the circulating water, its water pipe and heat sink are made of aluminum, aluminum water pipe is made into a flat shape, the heat sink is corrugated, pay attention to the heat dissipation performance, the installation direction is perpendicular to the direction of air flow, try to achieve small wind resistance, high cooling efficiency. The coolant flows inside the radiator core and the air passes outside the radiator core. The hot coolant cools because it dissipates heat to the air, and the cold air heats up because it absorbs the heat from the coolant, so the radiator is a heat exchanger
Two, the advantages and disadvantages of intercooler and radiator comparison
1. Advantages of radiator:
(1) The price is relatively low;
(2) Long service life and low maintenance cost;
(3) Simple structure, easy to install and disassemble;
(4) Stable heat dissipation efficiency.
2. Disadvantages of radiator:
(1) Large volume, occupy more space;
(2) The heat dissipation effect is affected by the ambient temperature, and the heat dissipation is not stable;
(3) Cannot quickly cool down, the scope of application is limited.
3. Advantages of intercooler:
(1) High heat dissipation efficiency, can quickly cool down;
(2) The heat dissipation effect is not affected by the ambient temperature;
(3) Small volume, can save space;
(4) Wide range of application, can meet a variety of different needs.
4. Disadvantages of intercooler:
(1) The price is relatively high;
(2) The service life is shorter than the radiator;
(3) Production and maintenance are complex.
3 Conclusion
Therefore, in the selection of heat dissipation devices, it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of intercooler and heat sink according to different application environments. If you need rapid cooling and space is limited, you can choose an intercooler; If there are certain requirements for heat dissipation efficiency and cost, or long-term stable operation is required, the radiator can be selected.
4. Different classifications:
1, the intercooler is generally made of aluminum alloy material. According to the different cooling medium, the common intercooler can be divided into air-cooled and water-cooled 2 kinds. Radiators are divided into radiation radiators and convection radiators according to the heat transfer mode.
2. The convective heat dissipation of the convective radiator accounts for almost 100%, sometimes called "convector"; Relative to convection radiator, other radiators dissipate heat by convection and radiation at the same time, sometimes called "radiator".
3, according to the material is divided into cast iron radiator, steel radiator and other materials of the radiator. Other material radiators include aluminum, copper, steel aluminum composite, copper aluminum composite, stainless steel aluminum composite and enamel and other materials made of radiators.