The application of particle image velocimetry (PIV) and flow visualization to the coolant flow through an automotive engine

This paper is concerned with the study of fluid hows through a cylinder head of an automotive engine. The study is performed by means of flow visualisation and velocity measurement, using an optical technique named Particle Image Velocimetry. The cylinder head is a transparent model, which can be constructed from transparent resin materials by vacuum casting and/or rapid prototyping methods. The results highlight the general features of the flow, such as laminar movement, vortices, stagnation and turbulence. Flow velocities between 0.2 and 5 m/s, with a maximum error of 5% can be obtained.