Iranian Journal of Mechanical Engineering Transactions of the ISME

Iranian Journal of Mechanical Engineering Transactions of the ISME

Investigating the Impact of Geometric Parameters on Radial Fan Performance

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Kowsar Moradihaji 1
Majid Ghassemi 2
Mahdi Pourbagian 3
1 M.Sc., Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 7, Pardis St., Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 19919-43344, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 7, Pardis St., Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 19919-43344, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Computational and Data-Driven Multiphysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 7, Pardis St., Mollasadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran 19919-43344, Iran
10.30506/jmee.2024.2013679.1324
Abstract
This study focuses on the evaluation of the performance of a radial fan, which is an essential component of various industrial and HVAC systems. The geometric parameters of the radial fan were simulated using ANSYS Workbench software, allowing for a detailed examination of its behavior under different operating conditions. Empirical data was collected through an experimental setup, enabling a comparison with the simulation results. The findings of this study indicate a high level of agreement between the simulation and experimental results, with a maximum discrepancy of only 3%. This close alignment highlights the accuracy and reliability of the simulation model. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric analysis was conducted, focusing on four critical parameters: the number of blades, impeller width (the distance between the disk and shroud), outlet angle, and inlet angle. Variations in these parameters were explored, paying particular attention to their impact on three key performance metrics: the total pressure difference between the inlet and outlet, the static pressure difference between the inlet and outlet, and the fan's efficiency. Additionally, the study assessed the changes in shaft power resulting from these alterations.
Keywords
Radial fan
Computational simulation
Experimental analysis
Geometric parameters
Performance evaluation
Parametric analysis

Subjects

[1]      A. Behzadmehr and Y. Mercadier, "Numerical Study of Flow Parameters and Entropy Generation on a Centrifugal Fan," International Journal of Exergy, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 80-92, 2009, doi: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEX.2009.023346.
 
[2]        Y. J. Kim, "Flow Characteristics in a Cross-flow Fan with Various Design Parameters," in Fluid Machinery and Fluid Mechanics: 4th International Symposium (4th ISFMFE), 2009: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg., pp. 255-261, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-89749-1_38.
 
[3]        J. Feng, F.-K. Benra, and H. Dohmen, "Application of Different Turbulence Models in Unsteady Flow Simulations of a Radial Diffuser Pump," Forschung im Ingenieurwesen, Vol. 3, No. 74, pp. 123-133, 2010, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10010-010-0121-4.
 
[4]        Y. Gui and P. Xi, "Study on the Methods of Determining Main Geometric Parameters of Centrifugal Fan Impeller," in 2010 The 2nd International Conference on Computer and Automation Engineering (ICCAE), 2010, IEEE, Singapore, Vol. 4, pp. 42-46, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCAE.2010.5451790.
 
[5]        L. Chunxi, W. S. Ling, and J. Yakui, "The Performance of a Centrifugal Fan with Enlarged Impeller," Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 52, No. 8-9, pp. 2902-2910, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2011.02.026.
 
[6]        B. Jafarzadeh, A. Hajari, M. Alishahi, and M. Akbari, "The Flow Simulation of a Low-specific-speed High-speed Centrifugal Pump," Applied Mathematical Modelling, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 242-249, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2010.05.021.
[7]        O. Singh, T. Sreenivasulu, and M. Kannan, "Influence of Geometric Parameters on Centrifugal Fan Performance and its Significance in Automotive Applications," International Journal of Modeling, Simulation, and Scientific Computing, Vol. 3, No. 03, p. 1250007, 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793962312500079.
 
[8]        O. Petit and H. Nilsson, "Numerical Investigations of Unsteady Flow in a Centrifugal Pump with a Vaned Diffuser," International Journal of Rotating Machinery, Vol. 2013, 2013, doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/961580.
 
[9]        H. Ratter, Ş. Çağlar, and M. Gabi, "A Coupled Blade Adjustment and Response Surface Method for the Optimization of Radial Fans without Housing,"In Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, 2014, Vol. 45578: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, p. V01AT10A009, doi: https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2014-25564.
 
[10]      K. Sun, H. Ouyang, J. Tian, Y. Wu, and Z. Du, "Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Eccentric Vortex of the Cross Flow Fan," International Journal of Refrigeration, Vol. 50, pp. 146-155, 2015, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2014.10.005.
 
[11]      N. Rajabi, R. Rafee, and S. Farzam-Alipour, "Effect of Blade Design Parameters on Air Flow through an Axial Fan," International Journal of Engineering, Vol. 30, No. 10, pp. 1583-1591, 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.5829/ije.2017.30.10a.20.
 
[12]      S. Huang, Y. Wei, C. Guo, and W. Kang, "Numerical Simulation and Performance Prediction of Centrifugal Pump’s Full Flow Field Based on OpenFOAM," Processes, Vol. 7, No. 9, p. 605, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7090605.
 
[13]      L. Tang, M. Liu, and F. Ma, "Thermosetting Coupling Analysis and Parameter Optimization of the Plastic Lining Pump Structure," Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 2019, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3790167.
 
[14]      H. Ding, T. Chang, and F. Lin, "The Influence of the Blade Outlet Angle on the Flow Field and Pressure Pulsation in a Centrifugal Fan," Processes, Vol. 8, No. 11, p. 1422, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8111422.
 
[15]      V. K. P. Babubhai, A. Chaudhari, A. Sharma, and V. Diwakar, "Experimental and Numerical Study on the Influence of Flow Passages in Centrifugal Fan using Computational Fluid Dynamics," Engineering Research Express, Vol. 5, No. 2, p. 025030, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-8695/accf00.
 
[16]      T. Canonsburg, "Ansys Meshing User’s Guide," Vol. 15317, pp. 724-746, 2013, https://dl.cfdexperts.net/cfd_resources/Ansys_Documentation/Ansys_Meshing/Ansys_Meshing_Users_Guide.pdf.