IMPORTANCE OF THE COOLING SYSTEM

IN YOUR MACHINERY

The main function of the cooling system is to maintain the correct temperature of the motor by letting out excessive heat generated by combustion and friction.

COOLING
The function of the Cooling System within an Internal Combustion Motors is to regulate the temperature within the motor and maintain it within the limits specified by the manufacturer in order to have it operate at an optimal level. The coolant circulates in the interior of the motor, where it absorbs heat generated by the combustion and transports it to the radiator, where it is emitted into the atmosphere.

Components of the Cooling System

How Does the Cooling System Operate?

What you should know about the Coolant

Importance of your Radiator Cap

Importance of the Quality of Water

Maintaining your Cooling System in Optimal Conditions

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR HEAVY MACHINERIES COOLING SYSTEM

Frequent Problems in Cooling Systems

Cavitation

Effects of the Cavitation in the cylinders of the motor    

        
It is the damage caused by air bubbles which collapse in the exterior of the metallic walls of the components of the cooling system during combustion. These bubbles implode repeatedly against the surfaces and the erosion could eventually completely perforate the wall.
Air trapped in coolant, and the inability of the cooling system to expel it. This could be due to leaks or lack of tightness in the system.
Besides of ensuring ourselves that there does not exist any leaks and that the system operates properly pressurized it is necessary to utilize supplementary additives (SCA) which help to maintain the fabric coating on the metallic surface.

Corrosion

Water by itself is a corrosive agent for metals. Even though the most common is oxidation in steel which we easily detect due to the brick color in the coolant, but corrosion exists in other metals present in the cooling system, such as cooper, aluminum, bronze and other alloys.
Besides the corrosive effects of water, the velocity of the corrosion in the cooling system could increase itself by such factors as the pH level, temperature, solids, diluents, chloride levels and sulfates in the coolant. It could also impact in case that the combustion gases of the motor mix themselves with the coolant by a failure in the gaskets, altering the levels of the acids and sulfur oxides and nitrogen, since they lower the pH levels and increase the corrosion of the metals. 
The use of supplementary additives (SCA) helps to control the pH levels and stop the precipitation of the mineral deposits. The concentration of these additives gradually diminish throughout the normal operation of the motors, by which it is necessary to monitor its levels to regular interfaces. This is done by measuring the concentration of nitrates having to be over 800ppm and less than 2400ppm.

Clogging by Rust

The cooling system in all motors are designed to remove the heat that it generates, thus, for this to be possible it is necessary for all of the metallic surfaces to remain clean, since the rust incrustations diminish the ability to transfer heat, which results in operation problems of the motor. Incrustations of only 1/8” tic reduce the cooling capacity up to 40%.
The coolant in the cooling systems contains different levels of diluted solids. Mineral such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium chloride, as well as the resulting oxides from the corrosion even the organic material.
As the concentrations of these contaminants increase, the probability of problems due to rust formation also increases, which could also be accelerated depending on factors such as the hardness of the water, the high temperatures which cause that the salts are less soluble and precipitate themselves by incrustating themselves in the walls of the system.
The velocity of the flow, areas with low velocity are more prone for mineral incrustation.
It is recommended to use, preferably, something “smooth” or of low mineral content, whether it be distilled or de-ionized. Thus, the additives (SCA) should be used, which inhibit corrosion and reduce the precipitation of solids. Finally, dependent on the climate, the percentage of the correct antifreeze should be added.
For situations with this problem, it is necessary to carry out a cleansing with chemical treatment to remove the incrustation.

Silicate lumps

             
Some anti-freezes could contain high concentrations of silicates, which have a tendency to precipitate themselves by forming a gel which block the radiators and other critical parts of the cooling system.

Non-recommended use of antifreezes by Motor Manufacturers or the utilization of these in concentrations greater than 50%.
Chemical cleansing of the system.

Definitions:

Aeration: Accumulation of air or combustion gases in the coolant of the motor.

Vacuum in the pump: Condition in which an air bag remains trapped in the coolant pump causing it to loose its potency and pumping capacity.

Late boiling: Boiling of the coolant that occurs after the engine was turned off as a consequence of residual heat in the engine.

Late boiling volume: Quantity of coolant withdrawn from the pressure relief valve due to late boiling.