Simplified thermo-fluid model of an engine cowling in a small airplane

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to developed a simplified thermo-fluid model of an engine cowling in a small airplane. An aircraft engine system is composed of different elements operating at various temperatures and in conjunction with the composite nacelle creates a region with high intensity of heat transfer to be covered by the cooling/ventilation systems. Therefore a thermal analysis, accounting for the complex heat transfer modes, is necessary in order to verify that an adequate cooling is ensured and that temperatures of the nacelle are maintained within the operating limits throughout the whole aircraft's flight. Design/methodology/approach Simplified numerical simulations of conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer in the engine bay of the small airplane I-23 in a tractor arrangement were performed for different air inlet and outlet configurations and for varying conditions existing in air inlets during the flight. The model is based on the control volume approach for heat and fluid flow as well as for thermal radiation and on k-ɛ turbulence model. Findings The flow and temperature distributions inside the cowling were determined, and high-temperature spots on the internal side of the nacelle and on other airplane systems located close to the turboprop engine and the exhaust system were found. The thermal radiation was found to play the key role in heat transfer inside the engine bay. The optimal configuration of air inlets and outlets was determined. Practical implications The obtained results will help in future studies on ventilation and cooling systems and will contribute to the selection of materials for parts of the engine bay and the nacelle as well as in developing solutions for reducing the temperature inside the cowling of the airplane I-23. Originality/value A complete simplified thermo-fluid model of heat transfer inside the engine bay of the airplane I-23 was developed. Additionally, influence of the thermal radiation on temperature distribution at the nacelle was investigated.