Quote:
Originally posted by kitz
While it is true that black bodies offer improved radiation boundaries for heat transfer it takes relatively extreme thermal gradients to take advantage of this. And of course on a sunny day we always notice black surfaces to be a bit hotter than lighter ones.
That front spreader trans cooler is a super idea. But the primary mechanism for its operation is that oil heat is convected into the tube walls. This heat is then conducted to the surface and convected away from the outside of the tube by the air flowing around it. It may also conduct heat into the chassis out the ends which is also covected away by the air.
In order to maximize its performance (if needed) one would desire to maximize the thermal conductivity of the powder coat/paint on the spreader as well. The paint raises the tube surface temperature as it represents a thermal resistance. As far as heat transfer goes one could also weld circular fins down the length of the bar to increase the conduction/convection area.
Best Regards, Kitz