STUDY ON THE DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL HEAT EXCHANGE TUBE TYPE FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID COOLERS IN HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS

Abstract

Heat exchange tubes are the most critical components in hydraulic fluid coolers equipped with axial flow fans. The shape and cross-sectional dimensions of these tubes have a significant impact on the average heat transfer coefficient, heat dissipation capacity, pressure loss in both the hydraulic fluid flow and the convective airflow, as well as the geometric size of the cooler itself. The crosssectional shapes of heat exchange tubes are highly diverse; however, most traditional oil coolers commonly use circular tubes, while oval heat exchange tubes have been adopted in the hydraulic fluid coolers of certain modern hydraulic machines. In this paper, the authors present the results of a computational and simulation-based study using Matlab-Simulink and SolidWorks Flow Simulation software to compare and determine the optimal shape and size of heat exchange tubes. The study focuses on two of the most widely used tube types today: circular tubes and flat oval tubes. The goal is to establish a scientific foundation for the successful design and manufacturing of compact axial-fan hydraulic fluid coolers with high thermal efficiency and large heat dissipation capacity, applicable to hydraulic systems in general, and particularly in open-pit hydraulic excavators.