Computer aided design of thermal systems

In this thesis study, thermal output of a steel panel radiator, in accordance with TS EN442, was numerically specified with the usage of finite volume method. Threedimensional analysis was implemented to the whole of the radiator by means of forced convection model. Results were compared with the experimental data obtained at CETIAT laboratories in France. Thermal outputs represented a good agreement with experimental data. In the content of this analysis, the effect of variation at ambient convective heat transfer coefficient on the thermal output was also investigated. Furthermore, modifications at convector design were performed to enhance the thermal output of the radiator. In this sense, eight convector designs were designed. Smallest repeated section of radiator (module) was used for computations rather than whole of the radiator. Thermal output was specified for the conditions: fix surface temperature at the inner surface of module and fluid flow existed inside the module. Remarkable thermal output enhancements were obtained for cascade convector design and convector design with three contact faces between panel and convector. Keywords: radiator, computational fluids dynamic, finite volume method, thermal output, EN442