Review of Vehicle Heating and Ventilation Systems Development Techniques

Abstract

This paper focuses on the potential for improving vehicle heating and ventilation systems. The automotive industry has undergone a complete technological transformation, introducing various environmentally friendly solutions. In particular, electrification poses further challenges in the context of studies to control and improve internal heat flows around the vehicle's energy source, the battery, so optimum power can be obtained with long battery life. The appropriate level of control of air flows and heat losses is a priority. It is therefore addressed in this publication by discussing the battery thermal management systems (BTMSs), part of HVAC systems, that have been recently used to cope with such thermal issues that affect the vehicle's battery. For example, such systems control the battery temperature to be within 15–35 °C for Li-type batteries. Moreover, new measurement techniques for improving vehicles' HVAC systems and their integration into these systems are highlighted and will be considered for further research. For instance, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and background-oriented Schlieren (BOS) measurements have been developed substantially in the last few years. They become more compact and can be integrated into the vehicle's HVAC systems with minimal effect on the process. Furthermore, they produce high data rates and real-time flow field visualization. This paper explores future development directions for automotive heating and ventilation systems.