Composition and Operation Process of the Diesel Generator Set Water Cooling System:

Due to water's high specific heat capacity and excellent heat transfer properties between parts and cooling media, modern diesel generator sets predominantly use water cooling. Engines that use water as the cooling medium are known as water-cooled engines. The coolant is simply water. The internal combustion engine's water cooling system uses water as a medium to cool heated components and then transfers the heat to the air. The advantage of this cooling method is that it provides more uniform cooling and the cooling intensity is easily adjustable, allowing the internal combustion engine to operate within an optimal temperature range. Additionally, during winter startups, the engine can be preheated using hot water injection or auxiliary electric heating to facilitate easier starting. Thus, it is widely applied.

The cooling system of diesel engines is typically a forced liquid cooling system, also known as pressure liquid cooling, meaning that diesel engines are equipped with a dedicated cooling pump to circulate the cooling fluid. Depending on the operating conditions of the diesel engine, either an open-loop cooling system or a closed-loop cooling system can be adopted.

(1) Open-loop Cooling System. The open-loop cooling system refers to the intake and exhaust water ports of the diesel engine being open, with the water source connected by the user during operation. The configuration of the open-loop cooling system varies slightly depending on the type of diesel engine and the arrangement of the oil cooler. The direction of the coolant flow is as shown in the diagram.

During the operation of the diesel engine, the incoming water temperature must not be below 60°C. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken for the water used in the open-loop cooling system to adjust the suitable incoming water temperature. Generally, a mixing tank (pond) can be installed between the water source and the diesel engine, connecting the engine's in and out water outlets with the water from the source to the mixing tank. By controlling the amount of cold water entering the mixing tank, the incoming water temperature of the diesel engine can be controlled.

Closed-loop diesel engine coolant flow

(2) Closed-loop Cooling System. A closed-loop cooling system refers to the diesel engine cooling system that forms a complete and enclosed circulation loop. For land-based diesel engines, the closed-loop cooling system involves the high-temperature coolant leaving the diesel engine, which is then cooled through a water radiator with the forceful blowing of a fan. The cooled water is then used to cool the diesel engine: the closed-loop cooling system varies depending on the engine model and the use of an oil cooler.

12-cylinder V-type off-road diesel engine closed-loop coolant flow

Diesel engine closed-loop coolant flow (oil cooler is air-cooled)