CFDAnalysisonAerodynamicDragReductionof PickupVehiclesUsingRearSpoiler

Abstract

In order to save energy and to conserve the environment, a reduction in the fuel consumption is a primary concern in the automotive industry. Currently, there are several options for improvement in the fuel economy, such as enhancing the engine performance, decreasing the automobile weight and reducing the aerodynamic drag. A large percentage of the usable fuel is employed in overcoming the aerodynamic drag at highway speeds and therefore if reduced could produce a large reduction in the total fuel consumption and reduce the negative environmental effects. In this thesis airflow over a pickup vehicle with spoiler attached on the rear end of the vehicle roof at different inclination angle and spoiler length using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the objective of reducing the aerodynamic drag was studied. All numerical simulations were performed using commercial CFD software Fluent and realizable k-epsilon turbulence modelling. A 1/12 scaled down generic pickup model with extended cab modeled with SolidWorks was used as the baseline model. Improvements in drag coefficient and lift coefficient were obtained in models with spoiler when compared to the baseline model without any add-on device. A dragreductionof6.50%,6.12%,and0.493%wasachievedonmodelone,modelthreeand model two respectively when compared to the baseline model. The decrease in the amount of drag was attributed to the decrease in wake region and swirling air inside the bed box of the pickup. Because of the reduction in drag a maximum of 3.90% reduction in fuel consumption was achieved. The lift coefficient of the baseline model was also reduced to 22.47% on model two, 14.55% on model three and 4.30% on model one at a vehicle speed of 120 kmph. This reduction in lift coefficient increases vehicle stability at high speed. Overall aerodynamic drag reduction of pickup vehicle using spoiler as an add-on device which leads to better fuel economy was shown here. For future further improvement in drag and lift coefficients can be made possible using optimization software and/or using synergeticeffectofdifferentaerodynamicadd-ondevices

In Order To Save Energy And To Conserve The Environment, A Reduction In The Fuel Consumption Is A Primary Concern In The Automotive Industry. Currently, There Are Several Options For Improvement In The Fuel Economy, Such As Enhancing The Engine Performance, Decreasing The Automobile Weight And Reducing The Aerodynamic Drag. A Large Percentage Of The Usable Fuel Is Employed In Overcoming The Aerodynamic Drag At Highway Speeds And Therefore If Reduced Could Produce A Large Reduction In The Total Fuel Consumption And Reduce The Negative Environmental Effects. In This Thesis Airflow Over A Pickup Vehicle With Spoiler Attached On The Rear End Of The Vehicle Roof At Different Inclination Angle And Spoiler Length Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) With The Objective Of Reducing The Aerodynamic Drag Was Studied. All Numerical Simulations Were Performed Using Commercial Cfd Software Fluent And Realizable K-Epsilon Turbulence Modelling. A 1/12 Scaled Down Generic Pickup Model With Extended Cab Modeled With Solidworks Was Used As The Baseline Model. Improvements In Drag Coefficient And Lift Coefficient Were Obtained In Models With Spoiler When Compared To The Baseline Model Without Any Add-On Device. A Dragreductionof6.50%,6.12%,And0.493%Wasachievedonmodelone,Modelthreeand Model Two Respectively When Compared To The Baseline Model. The Decrease In The Amount Of Drag Was Attributed To The Decrease In Wake Region And Swirling Air Inside The Bed Box Of The Pickup. Because Of The Reduction In Drag A Maximum Of 3.90% Reduction In Fuel Consumption Was Achieved. The Lift Coefficient Of The Baseline Model Was Also Reduced To 22.47% On Model Two, 14.55% On Model Three And 4.30% On Model One At A Vehicle Speed Of 120 Kmph. This Reduction In Lift Coefficient Increases Vehicle Stability At High Speed. Overall Aerodynamic Drag Reduction Of Pickup Vehicle Using Spoiler As An Add-On Device Which Leads To Better Fuel Economy Was Shown Here. For Future Further Improvement In Drag And Lift Coefficients Can Be Made Possible Using Optimization Software And/Or Using Synergeticeffectofdifferentaerodynamicadd-Ondevices