Evaluation of cooling system performance in production machines using cfd simulation

Sandro; Romual

Authors

Sandro Universitas Bina Darma (UBD), Palembang, Indonesia Author
Romual Universitas Bina Darma (UBD), Palembang, Indonesia Author

Keywords:

Channel optimization, CFD simulation, Cooling system, Heat transfer, Production machinery

Abstract

Efficient cooling systems are critical for maintaining the operational stability, product quality, and lifespan of production machinery. Excessive heat accumulation can cause component degradation, dimensional inaccuracies, and increased downtime, making thermal management a key design priority. This study evaluates the performance of a cooling system integrated into a high-duty production machine using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. A three-dimensional CFD model was developed to analyze fluid flow, temperature distribution, and heat transfer characteristics under varying operational conditions. The simulation incorporated steady-state and transient thermal analyses to assess the influence of coolant flow rate, inlet temperature, and channel geometry on system efficiency. Model validation was performed using experimental temperature measurements obtained from strategically placed thermocouples, showing close agreement with simulation results (error margin <5%). The findings reveal that optimized channel design and uniform coolant distribution significantly enhance heat dissipation, reducing peak temperatures by up to 14% compared to the baseline configuration. Parametric analysis demonstrated that an optimal coolant velocity range exists, balancing heat transfer effectiveness with minimized pumping power. Additionally, improved flow uniformity mitigated localized hotspots, enhancing overall machine reliability. The study confirms that CFD-based evaluation is a cost-effective and accurate method for predicting cooling system performance prior to prototyping. Integrating CFD into the design process enables rapid optimization, reduced development cycles, and improved energy efficiency. The results provide actionable insights for the design of advanced thermal management systems in industrial production machinery

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