The heating system optimization and design tool development in military vehicles

In the upgraded Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) projects, new project requirements are added, which are expected to be in accordance with the geographic and climatic conditions of Turkey. According to the military climatic standard of NATO STANAG 2895, Turkey is located in the climate zones of A1 (32 – 49oC) and C1 (-32 – -21oC). For this reason, it is expected that the engine of the vehicle can be ignited in 30 minutes, subsequently the internal cabin temperature can be increased up to +10oC in a conditioned environment at -32oC as a requirement of the KMNAIHSSS (Self-Propelled Low Altitude Air Defence Gun System Project) project which is conducted under the prime/sub contractorship of ASELSAN/FNSS. Since the engine cannot be ignited at an ambient temperature of -32oC, the engine coolant liquid heater system is designed which is integrated to engine cooling circuit and constitutes from a heater that can be functioned with kerosene based arctic diesel fuel (JP-8, F34 NATO Code) and an electrically driven centrifugal water pump. At the same time, this system provides hot water to the heat exchangers of the personnel heater system. Throughout the design stage, different configurations have been designed and tested. The scope of master thesis is to optimize the heater system of vehicle by meeting project requirements, to develop a design tool which is compatible with the results of tested configurations.