Turning up the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine of your equipment, numerous chemical and mechanical processes, and explosions are happening in the cylinder. This then leads to the production of excessive radiation and the amount of heat. As engines effectuate mechanically and chemically to produce heat energy, they need an act of cooling to prevent further potential hazards that overheating may induce.
Apparently, there are two ways on how you let an engine cool and avoid the excessive production of heat energy: Air cooled diesel engine and Water cooled diesel engine. In this article, take a look at how the two differ and what features and advantages the both can provide and offer.
What is Air Cooled Diesel Engine
It can be inferred from its name that it uses natural air as its primary cooling agent. The process of cooling using natural air includes surrounding the outer part of the engine cylinder with fins. These fins create channels or passageways for air that may help in the dispersion of heat energy that is being generated. The fins also augment the surface area of the outer part of the cylinder, making the process of heat dispersion rapidly.
Some engine-operated equipment incorporates an improvised electric fan to blow across the fins to provide assistance in keeping the engine cool. The good news is that, if the area where the cooling process took place is well-made and engineered, air-cooling can be claimed as a reliable method since this process is close to the natural method of cooling. There is less or no side effect on the functioning of the engine.
You must keep in mind that you should not run air-cooled engine near its redline for a long period of time and always check and recheck whether the coolant is capable, and its ability to function (delivery systems) to avoid encountering potential problems and discrepancies along the way.
This system of cooling uses air circulation to bring the temperature down. In air-cooling systems, the engine takes cool air from the atmosphere and blows it internally across the different parts of the generator set. This keeps the generator from overheating.
Advantages of Air Cooled Diesel Engine
- Cost-effective. Since the primary cooling agent is natural air,
- Reduces the possibility of coolant freeze. Air-cooled diesel engine tends to warm up faster making it beneficial if you are staying in a cold area. Coolant freeze greatly affects the operation of the engine negatively.
- Lightweight. This type of engine is lighter because it has fewer parts. It does not utilize water pumps, thermostats, radiators, and hoses that other engine types use.
- High Maintainability. The different parts of an air-cooled diesel engine are created separately so if one part was damaged, no need to replace the whole unit. Even though there is a need for serious repair, no need to dismantle any part.
Disadvantages of Air Cooled Diesel Engine
- Noise. Air-cooled engines do not have waterways that may serve as sound insulation that is why it tends to create loud sound in operation.
- Less efficient in cooling large engines. Large engines produce more heat since the cooling system comes from a natural source, it takes time for it to cool the engine that is why local overheating is possible.
What is a Water Cooled Diesel Engine?
The second type of cooling method is the Water-cooled diesel engine. A water-cooled diesel engine uses a mixture of water and other chemicals like antifreeze and rust inhibitors. Some engines use other special fluids with unique properties like ethylene glycol aside from water. The process of this type of cooling requires a coolant being circulated through the internal passageway around the motor. Considering that the heat is being absorbed by the coolant, its own temperature must be cooled down as well.
It cools down the motor of the engine using the atmospheric air after it is pumped towards a radiator. Additional fans are also used which activates when the vehicle is at low speed. The water that has been cooled down is then circulated back around the engine. This makes the engine temperature observed and under control. This cooling method is reliable since its apparatus ensures an ideal operating temperature at all times especially when it has to function more during hassle, busy, and hectic circumstances.
Advantages of Water Cooled Engine?
- Better heat tolerance. Since this type of engine makes use of water, it has a higher thermal conductivity. It slows down the heat transfer that makes the engine run smoother.
- Less pollution and noise. With a water-cooled engine, the engine’s motor is given an added insulation that effectively absorbs vibration making it quieter and environment-friendly.
- Durability. The water-cooled engine has the ability to operate in a more pressurized environment without a decrease and more resistant to breaking down. It is an ideal type of engine in hot weather.
Disadvantages of Water-cooled Diesel Engine
- Heavier. Water-cooled diesel engine tends to make the engine bulkier because of the added cooling agent such as the radiator, hoses, coolant, and water pump.
- High maintenance. This type of diesel engine is easy to operate but it has a high risk of water spilling which may damage other engine parts that is why regular maintenance is required which is costly.
Which is More Recommended for Generators?
It is known that generators produce a great amount of heat when it is in operation that is why the use of diesel engine cooling systems is an important aspect in each unit. Most generators on the market make use of either water-cooled or air-cooled or water. The size of the generator determines what kind of cooling system to be used. Air-cooled diesel engines are suitable for smaller generators while water-cooled diesel engines are more suitable for large generators because of their efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The differences between air-cooled diesel engine and the water-cooled engine may be quite obvious but to put everything in a nutshell: Eye on Water-cooled diesel engines if your equipment demands more exertion of power while consider getting air-cooled engines if you are looking for a more practical and cost-effective diesel engine.
