Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #16663
From: DaveLeonard <daveleonard@cox.net>
Subject: Heating the Fuel
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 21:46:02 -0800
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
[FlyRotary] Re: Performance coatings- bearing damage?
In anticipation of the new turbo, I am considering ways to improve coolant cooling.  Besides the obvious more air, more ducting, more radiator; I have been again toying with the idea of a heat exchanger.  This time coolant to fuel.  The plan would be to use a typical oil/water exchanger but use fuel instead of oil.  I would use the fuel on the way back to the tank, and the coolant after it has already been cooled by the radiator.  The fuel would then go back to the nice metal tank of the RV.
 
I am looking for input on the implications of heating the fuel.  I expect it would reach max temps of about 190 (usually a little cooler) but quickly cool once in the tank.  Can the fuel tolerate that temp without vaporizing?  It will probably expand in the tank but I don't expect that will occur faster than it is used up.  I have no guess as to what temp will become steady state for the fuel pumped out of the tank.  My guess is that it will not be much warmer than normal, but a slight increase in temp may help with vaporization.
 
The last question is how much will it cool the coolant.  My hope is about 10 deg but I doubt it will be quite that much.  I know others have considered using the fuel to cool (Tracy) and I would appreciate your thoughts.
 
Dave Leonard
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