Liquid-cooling System in Reciprocating Engine (Piston Engine)

In a liquid-cooling system, water or other solutions flow through the water jacket around the cylinder and cylinder head to absorb the heat. The hot liquid from the water jacket is cooled in the radiator, where circulated air absorbs the heat from the radiator. The cold liquid from the radiator is again pumped into the water jacket to absorb heat.

Advantages of Liquid-cooling System:

• The liquid cooling system is more efficient than the air cooling system.
• The fuel consumption of liquid-cooled engines is less than that of air-cooled engines.
• Liquid-cooled engines require less frontal area.
• The cooling system can be located conveniently anywhere in the automobile for water-cooled engines. Some vehicles have it at the rear, while in air-cooled engines, it is not possible.
• Size doesn’t pose a serious concern in the water-cooled engine, while in high-output engines, it is difficult to circulate the correct quantity of air in an air-cooled engine.

Limitations of liquid-cooled System:

• It requires a pure water supply for proper functioning.
• The pump absorbs considerable power, which reduces the output of the engine.
• If the cooling system fails, the engine may suffer serious damage.
• The cost of the system is considerably high.
• The system requires continuous maintenance of its parts.