Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of the Dual-Circuit Cooling System of a "Wartsila V20SG" Gas Engine at Baku Power Plant
Ata Babayev1* , Ilkin Maharramli2 , Laman Samadli3
Abstract. The current article is dedicated to the development of the mathematical model of the cooling system of the Wartsila V20SG gas engine used in the Baku power plant. The efficient work of internal combustion engines in modern thermal energy plants is impossible without appropriate control over their thermal conditions; however, it should be emphasized that cooling system performance plays a critical role in this process. In the current research, the thermal and hydraulic features of the cooling system of the engine, which comprises HT and LT circuits, were explored. For this purpose, the actual operating conditions of the engine were taken into account, including heat balance, convective heat transfer, and flow dynamics. In particular, the heat balance method was used to determine the amount of heat generated in the engine, whereas the heat transfer rate was estimated based on the coolant temperature difference. Furthermore, the flow regime was evaluated by calculating the Reynolds number. As seen from the obtained data, the cooling system is able to withdraw considerable amounts of the heat produced by the engine, thus ensuring thermal stability. Moreover, there is an evident effect of change in the pump characteristics and the fluid velocity on the efficiency of heat dissipation. The obtained results further reveal that optimization of the thermal load distribution in a double circuit cooling system allows decreasing temperatures and increasing the stability of the cooling system. Thus, an effective cooling system increases the energy efficiency of the engine.
Keywords: cooling system, dual-circuit system, heat transfer, convection, heat balance, flow dynamics, energy efficiency, Wärtsilä V20SG