Porous Media Enhanced Radiator for M109A6

A porous media enhanced radiator can more than double the capacity of the existing MlOY radiator within the same physical envelope while lowering pressure drop. The enhanced radiator would be capable of rejecting 544 kw if made of copper or 457 kW if fabricated from aluminum. The design choices can translate the enhanced performance into a more compact radiator that is lighter weight requires less power, costs less, is less susceptible to damage, and provides greater operating margins than the present radiator with the balance among these parameters based on Army's needs. Phase I would design a porous media enhanced radiator, fabricate a representative segment of the enhanced radiator, test that segment and demonstrate the feasibility as well as further quantify the benefits to be obtained from the innovation. The proposed improvement will essentially double the capacity of the M109 radiator within the same physical envelope while lowering power required for blower operation. This will enable the operation of the M109 with the larger 550 hp engine, while improving operating margins, reducing the power required to power the blower, and reducing the size of the radiator itself. The enhanced radiator would be of benefit for any large Army vehicle or any civilian vehicle requiring high radiator capacity.