CFD SIMULATION OF SOLAR LOADING IN CAR

A frequent problem faced by the car drivers in Chennai is, the hot suffocating inner of the car following hours of steady solar radiation when parked in an un-shaded area. The heat build-up in the cabin due to solar radiation can increase up to 80°C usual. The undesired increase in cabin temperature will affect the human comfort and interior aesthetics of the cabin, such situation can affect the life span of the components in the passenger cabin adversely. Thermal comfort of the occupants in a vehicle cabin is a growing concern due to occupant's health and safety. To bring down the hot cabin temperature to ambient temperature, the driver has to work the air-conditioning system in full load, thus consuming excess fuel. The concept helps in reducing the usage of air conditioner unit to reduce the interior temperature and thus the usage of fuel & power consumption. Thermal comfort of passengers in an automotive cabin is a challenging and mandatory requirement in today's world, as they have an accountable role on passenger safety and pleasurable drive. Thermal energy storage via phase change materials is one of the most promising candidates as zero power usage method to maintain ambient temperature profile during both the winter and summer seasons. Phase Change Materials are substances that use latent heat energy for the varying of phase from solid to liquid or vice versa. The phase change procedure of a PCM from solid to liquid and liquid to solid occurs at nearly steady temperature. The phase change process of the PCM is directly proportional to the solar load.