Abstract

The present work uses computational fluid dynamics to determine the power per unit of usable area in a proposed system for the regeneration of energy in cargo vehicles. The model consists of two blocks, a frontal block representing the tractor, and a rectangular prism representing the trailer. Multiple designs of ducts in the tractor are proposed and simulated, to emulate the flow of air through them to different operating conditions of the vehicle. The power per unit area that can be used in the ducts is evaluated, as well as the change in the drag with respect to the original condition of the vehicle. The influence of the geometric parameters of the duct on the power per unit area and the drag is determined, and the possible efficiency of the system is presented, by means of a graphical comparison of the drag and the power per unit of usable area.

Keywords: Aerodynamics; trucks; CFD; eolic; energy; regeneration