Circular vs. 180 degree
 

I always see radiators with 180 degree bends. I was wondering (bad thing to do) if a completely circular radiator would actually help cooling? Water entering at the outer edge, exiting from the center.

I figured it would help keep flow at a high rate, but you never see a design like this (or atleast I haven't). Then you always read where people say that bends cause the flow rate to decrease.

Just a random thought and curious as to whether or not it would actually benefit at all.

i think i need a diagram to understand what youre talking about exactly lol (its too early for thinking).

there are some single-pass rads that supposedly have less flow restriction that are readily available (unlike some crazy circular rad :D ).

Ok, I was too lazy to finish the pic... so just follow the tube in along the swirling line. Good enough of a rough idea?

hi m8 I,m no expert but wouldn't the 180 designs being more flow restrictive allow the water to transfer more heat to the rad as the water is flowing more slowly?:confused:

That's sort of what I'm trying to figure out. If they're helpful or harmful... if the latter, does the spiral help more?

I saw this article a few years back

Maybe it will throw some light on the matter

No, no good.

What you're suggesting is similar to a transmission cooler, not a heatercore.

Hayden tranny coolers have built-in turbulators, to improve the heat transfer, but note how the fins still stand at a fair distance from the tube.

If you want to go the circular route, you'd have to make this design decision: circular or straight fins? Keep in mind that there is a certain distance (or clearance) that you have to respect, between the tubes, otherwise the heat starts to travel from tube to tube, through the fins (actually, they "interfere" with each other).

The heatercore has odd shaped tubing, optimized for turbulence of the water, and maximum surface area, in and out.

bigben, can we assum that in a normal rad/heatercore, if we cut out the fins, it will have a better performance?

that way it wont dissipate heat between the tubes...

btw im talking about a normal heatercore/rad not this round ones.

Just something i found.
 

http://www.spodesabode.com/articles/speedcool/front.jpg

http://www.spodesabode.com/articles/speedcool/back.jpg

... something.. like this?

I was originally going to put fins on it and of course space it out. I kinda figured it would be pointless to have the tube touching itself (inner rings touching outer rings).

Right after I posted the picture, I thought that maybe the exit point should be gradually lowered... each ring slightly lower than the next. The fins would be soldered/attached to the inside of the rings pointing upward just a little bit. The fan would somehow be attached above the center of the entire spiral (sucking ( :shrug: ) air out).

No, if you cut the fins, you'll have a leak.

More fins guys, more fins. Start collecting those pop cans!