Effect of inlet guide vanes on the performance of small axial flow fan

Effects of the inlet guide vanes on the static characteristics, aerodynamic noise and internal flow characteristics of a small axial flow fan are studied in this work. The inlet guide vanes with different outlet angle are designed,which are mounted on the casing and located at the upstream of the impeller of the prototype fan. Both steady and unsteady flow simulations are performed. The steady flow is simulated by the calculations of Navier-Stokes equations coupled with RNG k-epsilon turbulence model, while the unsteady flow is computed with large eddy simulation. According to the theoretical analysis, the inlet guide vanes with outlet angle of 60° are regarded as the optimal inlet guide vanes. The static characteristic experiment is carried out in a standard test rig and the aerodynamic noise is tested in a semi-anechoic room. Then, performances of the fan with optimal inlet guide vanes are compared with those of the prototype fan. The results show that there is reasonable agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data. It is found that the static characteristics of small axial flow fan is improved obviously after installing the optimal inlet guide vanes. Meanwhile, the optimal inlet guide vanes have effect on reducing noise at the near field, but have little effect on the noise at the far field.     

Effect of inlet box on performance of axial flow fans

Numerical investigations on 3D flow fields in an axial flow fan with and without an inlet box have been extensively conducted, focusing on the variation of fan performance caused by the internal flow fields and the velocity evenness at the exit of the inlet box. It is interesting to find that although the inlet box is well designed in accordance with basic design principles, there is a flow separation region in it. Furthermore, this flow separation and the resulting uneven velocity distribution at the exit lead to some decrease in the efficiency and an increase in the total pressure rise of the fan. This research shows that the inlet box needs further improvement and such a check on the flow fields is of value for the design of inlet boxes.     

Effects of rotor structure on performance of small size axial flow fans

Small size axial flow fans are used as a cooling component for computers,electronic equipment and other electronic components.With the increasing power of electrical equipment,the demand for lower noise and higher ventilation of cooling fan is also increasing.Traditional methods of improving ventilation by raising the fan’s rotation speed causes a decrease in efficiency and an increase in noise.In this paper,different structures of fans were simulated,and as a result,the counter-rotating fan can achieve higher pressure,efficiency and facilitate ventilation in a smaller space.Furthermore,some other conclusions are as follows:(1) Higher pressure rise can be obtained by a counter-rotating fan than by the two-stage rotor fan in the same axial length.Meanwhile,the counter-rotating fan has a broader work scope.(2) The main noise type of the counter-rotating fan is rotating noise;the small peak pulse caused by vortex noise mainly due to the eddy current produced by small eddies.(3) When the distance of counter-rotating fans is smaller than 2 times the chord,the greater distance the greater total pressure of the circum-averages and along the axial direction,the total pressure begin to decline until the distance is three times the chord,so there is an optimal distance between rotors.The simulation results are of important significance to the quantitative analysis and optimization design of the counter-rotating fan.     

Experimental Investigation of the Internal Flow Field of Rotating Impeller Passage with Inlet Box

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带可调进口导叶的多级轴流压气机非设计点性能计算

多级轴流压气机为保证非设计转速下的性能,通常采用进口导叶(IGV)以及静叶可调的扩稳方法。为获得可靠的进口导叶性能以用于压气机初步设计和扩稳方案的初步筛选,基于Banjac和Petrovic等提出的IGV损失和落后角模型与平均中径计算相结合,开发了带有IGV的多级轴流压气机性能分析工具。选用E3压气机作为算例进行计算分析,结果表明,所选用的IGV模型在较大开度内具有较好的精度和有效性。研究结果可以为多级轴流压气机初步设计和扩稳方案确定提供参考。     

Numerical and experimental investigation on aerodynamic performance of small axial flow fan with hollow blade root

To reduce the influence of adverse flow conditions at the fan hub and improve fan aerodynamic performance,a modification of conventional axial fan blades with numerical and experimental investigation is presented.Hollow blade root is manufactured near the hub.The numerical and experimental results show that hollow blade root has some effect on the static performance.Static pressure of the modified fan is generally the same with that of the datum fan,while,the efficiency curve of the modified fan has a different trend with that of the datum fan.The highest efficiency of the modified fan is 10% greater than that of the datum fan.The orthogonal experimental results of fan noise show that hollow blade root is a feasible method of reducing fan noise,and the maximum value of noise reduction is about 2 dB.The factors affecting the noise reduction of hollow blade root are in the order of importance as follows: hollow blade margin,hollow blade height and hollow blade width.The much smoother pressure distribution of the modified fan than that of the datum fan is the main mechanism of noise reduction of hollow blade root.The research results will provide the proof of the parameter optimization and the structure design for high performance and low noise small axial fans.     

Effects of axial non-uniform tip clearances on aerodynamic performance of a transonic axial compressor

This paper presents a numerical investigation of effects of axial non-uniform tip clearances on the aerodynamic performance of a transonic axial compressor rotor （NASA Rotor 37）. The three-dimensional steady flow field within the rotor passage was simulated with the datum tip clearance of 0.356 mm at the design wheel speed of 17188.7 rpm. The simulation results are well consistent with the measurement results, which verified the numeri- cal method. Then the three-dimensional steady flow field within the rotor passage was simulated respectively with different axial non-uniform tip clearances. The calculation results showed that optimal axial non-uniform tip clearances could improve the compressor performance, while the efficiency and the pressure ratio of the com- pressor were increased. The flow mechanism is that the axial non-uniform tip clearance can weaken the tip leak- age vortex, blow down low-energy fluids in boundary layers and reduce both flow blockage and tip loss.     

Numerical and experimental study on aerodynamic performance of small axial flow fan with splitter blades

To improve the aerodynamic performance of small axial flow fan, in this paper the design of a small axial flow fan with splitter blades is studied. The RNG k-ε turbulence model and SIMPLE algorithm were applied to the steady simulation calculation of the flow field, and its result was used as the initial field of the large eddy simulation to calculate the unsteady pressure field. The FW-H noise model was adopted to predict aerodynamic noise in the six monitoring points. Fast Fourier transform algorithm was applied to process the pressure signal. Experiment of noise testing was done to further investigate the aerodynamic noise of fans. And then the results obtained from the numerical simulation and experiment were described and analyzed. The results show that the static characteristics of small axial fan with splitter blades are similar with the prototype fan, and the static characteristics are improved within a certain range of flux. The power spectral density at the six monitoring points of small axial flow fan with splitter blades have decreased to some extent. The experimental results show sound pressure level of new fan has reduced in most frequency bands by comparing with prototype fan. The research results will provide a proof for parameter optimization and noise prediction of small axial flow fans with high performance.     

进口来流条件对单体建筑绕流时均流场影响的数值模拟

数值模拟了6种进口条件下单体建筑物模型附近的时均流场,模拟值与风洞试验值基本吻合,进口时均流参数对速度模拟值的影响较大,进口紊流参数对速度模拟值的影响则较小;当进口时均速度按照试验情况设置但紊流参数不同时,速度模拟值在建筑物前方和顶部几乎无差别,但在建筑物后方,其差别开始显现,且进口紊流参数按近地面情况或试验值设置时的模拟结果相对较好。由于标准k-ε紊流模型对来流动能的耗散模拟过大,导致速度模拟值比试验值略偏小,人为增加近地面动能的进口条件能有效改善上述情况,在依据进口流量确定的进口速度条件下,建筑物附近的速度模拟值与试验值最吻合。     

Effect of the uneven circumferential blade space on the performance of small axial flow fan

Effects of the uneven circumferential blade space on static characteristics and aerodynamic noise of a small axial flow fan are studied in this work.The blade angle modulation is adopted to design a series of unequally spaced fans,which have different maximum of modulation angular displacement.The steady flow is simulated by the calculations of Navier-Stokes equations coupled with RNG k-epsilon turbulence model,while the unsteady flow is computed with large eddy simulation.According to theoretical analysis,a fan with a maximum of modulation angular displacement of 6° is regarded as the optimal unequally spaced fan.The experiment of static characteristic is carried out in a standard wind tunnel and the aerodynamic noise of both fans is tested in a semi-anechoic room.Then,performances of the optimal unequally spaced fan are compared with those of the prototype fan.The results show that there is reasonable agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data.It is found that the discrete noise of the optimal unequally spaced fan is lower than that of the prototype fan at the near field monitoring point.This can be explained that the total pressure fluctuation of the optimal unequally spaced fan is much more regular than that of the prototype fan.     

Operation strategies of axial flow fans in a direct dry cooling system under various meteorological conditions

For a direct dry cooling system, the turbine back pressure fluctuates with the meteorological conditions. Moreover, the operation of axial flow fans plays an important role in the cooling performance of air-cooled condensers (ACC). It is of significant use to study the operation strategies of axial flow fans under various ambient conditions. Based on typical 2 × 660 MW direct dry cooling power generating units, the ACC model coupled with the turbine thermodynamic characteristics is developed, by which the thermo-flow performances of the ACC are predicted in the dominant wind direction, and then the standard coal consumption is calculated. The results show that the increased ambient temperature and wind speed, or the reduced fan rotational speed leads to the high turbine back pressure. At the low ambient temperature and wind speed, the standard coal consumption rate of the unit can be reduced by reducing the speed of axial flow fans appropriately, with the maximum drop in coal consumption rate reached 0.734 g/(kWh) when the ambient temperature is 10°C without wind. If the wind speed exceeds 12 m/s or the ambient temperature reaches 25°C, 110% of the rated fan rotational speed is recommended.     

Numerical investigation on the flow field of an axial flow fan in a direct air‐cooled condenser for a large power plant

The flow field of an axial fan in a direct air‐cooled condenser for a large power plant is modeled numerically. In order to improve the efficiency of heat exchange of the air‐cooled condenser, methods of increasing the rotational velocity of the fan and laying out the guide blade at the outlet of the fan are adopted. Results show that increasing the rotational velocity of the fan can effectively increase the flux of the fan, and can improve the efficiency of an air‐cooled condenser; laying out the guide blade at the fan outlet can ameliorate the flow field in an A‐flame. This causes the rotational kinetic energy to change into static pressure at the fan outlet, so the ability of the heat exchange of the air‐cooled condenser is improved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21027     

进口结构对方形旋风分离器性能影响的数值研究

利用CFD模拟研究了一种具有双矩形进口的方形截面的旋风分离器内部的流动特点,其中气相模型采用了雷诺应力湍流模型（Reynolds stress model,RSM）,颗粒相采用随机轨道模型。计算结果与文献实验数据的对比表明模型具有可靠性。模拟结果表明：在分离器内部的排气管和分离器壁面间的区域为强旋湍流区,靠近分离器壁面和排气管壁面的区域旋流强度较弱;排气管下的分离器内出现了回流;进口结构影响分离器内的旋流分布特点和回流开始位置及湍动能的分布,从而影响了分离效率和阻力,其中倾斜双进口的方形分离器内旋转向下的气流运动区域更大,回流开始位置更低,因此其分离效果更好;进口结构影响分离器内局部湍动能的分布特点和大小,从而决定了分离器的阻力大小;倾斜双进口的方形分离器内的局部湍动能小于对应的垂直单、双进口分离器,因此其阻力系数最小。     

Model for predicting performance of cooling fans for thermal design of electronic equipment (Modeling and evaluation of effects from electronic enclosure and inlet sizes)

This study describes the performance of cooling fans in terms of the P–Q curve and the maximum flow rate under various environmental conditions. It focuses on the relationship between fan performance and configuration factors such as the electronic enclosure. The presence of an enclosure wall increased the pressure characteristic of the fan performance. The presence of a narrow inlet decreased the flow rate. When the inlet area of the enclosure became smaller than twice the fan flow area, the flow rate was decreased. The maximum flow rate depended on the ratio of the inlet area to the fan flow area. A model for predicting pressure rise and flow rates in the enclosure is proposed. The model is used in a thermal analysis of a PCB model set in an enclosure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20347     

Effects of inlet circumferential fluctuation on the sweep aerodynamic performance of axial fans/compressors

Swept blades have been widely used in the transonic fan/compressor of aircraft engines with the aids of 3D CFD simulation since the design concept of controlling the shock structure was firstly proposed and successfully tested by Dr.Wennerstrom in the 1980s.However,some disadvantage phenomenon has also been induced by excessively 3D blade geometries on the structure stress insufficiency,vibration and reliability.Much confusion in the procedure of design practice leading us to recognize a new view on the flow mechanism of sweep aerodynamical induction: the new radial equilibrium established by the influence of inlet circumferential fluctuation(CF) changes the inlet flows of blading and induces the performance modification of axial fans/compressors blade.The view is verified by simplified models through numerical simulation and circumferentially averaged analysis in the present paper.The results show that the CF source items which originate from design parameters,such as the spanwise distributions of the loading and blading geometries,contribute to the changing of averaged incidence spanwise distribution,and further more affect the performance of axial fans/compressors with swept blades.     

Unsteady flow condition of contra-rotating small-sized axial fan

Small-sized axial fans are used as air cooler for electric equipments.But there is a strong demand for higher power of fans according to the increase of quantity of heat from electric devices.Therefore,higher rotational speed design is conducted,although,it causes the deterioration of efficiency and the increase of noise.Then,the adoption of contra-rotating rotors for the small-sized axial fan is proposed for the improvement of performance.In the case of contra-rotating rotors,it is necessary to design the rotor considering the unsteady flow condition of each front and rear rotor.In the present paper,the fan performance of the contra-rotating small-sized axial fan with 100mm diameter at a designed and a partial flow rates is shown,and the unsteady flow conditions at the inlet and the outlet of each front and rear rotor are clarified with unsteady numerical results.Furthermore,the relation between the performance and the unsteady flow condition of the contra-rotating small-sized axial fan is discussed and the methods to improve the performance are considered.     

进气道稳流试验装置内三维流动特性的数值模拟

使用FLUENT商业软件，采用RNG κ-ε湍流模型，对稳定流动实验条件下，不同进气道角度时切向进气道一气门一气缸内的流场，在两种气门升程下进行了三维数值模拟；分析了气道一气门一气缸内气体的稳态流动特性；总结了不同气道角度、不同气门升程时气道和缸内气体流动的变化规律。随着气门升程的增加，气道角度对缸内涡流的影响增大，并且涡流和滚流相互抑制。     

Rotational speed adjustment of axial flow fans to maximize net power output for direct dry cooling power generating units

The power consumption of axial flow fans may account for more than 1% of the rated power output of the power generating unit, so it is of benefit to the energy efficiency of the power generating unit to propose an operation adjustment approach to axial flow fans. On the basis of representative 2 × 600 MW direct dry cooling generating units, a computational model of air‐side flow and heat transfer of an air‐cooled condenser (ACC) combined with exhaust steam condensation is developed, by which the airflow rate, inlet air temperature of ACCs, the power consumption of axial flow fans, turbine backpressure, and net power output of power generating units at various wind speeds and in various wind directions are obtained. The results show that the net power output in the presence of winds always decreases when the rational speeds of the first upwind row axial flow fans increase from the rated speed of 79 rpm by 10% to 86.9 rpm. However, the net power output will increase in various wind directions if the rational speeds of all the fans except the upwind first row fans increase to 86.9 rpm. This can contribute to the optimal operation of the ACC by rotational speed adjustment of axial flow fans.     

Effects of a kind of non-smooth blade on the performance of an axial fan

This paper presents an experimental investigation of effects of a kind of streamwise-grooved blade on theperformance of an axial-flow fan.The flow field at 25% chord downstream from the trailing edge at hub wasmeasured using a 5-hole pressure probe at different mass-flow conditions.The fan performance of the grooveblades was compared with that of the smooth blades.The measurement results indicate that:(1)the non-smoothblades increase mass flow of the fan at the same throttle conditions except a near stall condition;(2)thenon-smooth blades reduce the relative total pressure loss in the rotor passage and increase the fan's total pressurerise at the test mass-flow conditions except the near stall condition;(3)Negative benefits are obtained at a nearstall condition when the smooth blades are replaced by the non-smooth ones.The fan mass flow decreases 0.9%while the total-pressure rise decreases 2.4% at the near stall condition.     

Heat transfer and performance characteristics of axial cooling fans with downstream guide vanes

This study examines experimentally the effect of stators on the performance and heat transfer characteristics of small axial cooling fans. A single fan impeller, followed by nine stator blades in the case of a complete stage, was used for all the experimental configurations. Performance measurements were carried out in a constant speed stage performance test rig while the transient liquid crystal technique was used for the heat transfer measurements. Full surface heat transfer coefficient distributions were obtained by recording the temperature history of liquid crystals on a target plate. The experimental data indicated that the results are highly affected by the flow conditions at the fan outlet. Stators can be beneficial in terms of pressure drop and efficiency, and thus more economical operation, as well as, in the local heat transfer distribution at the wake of the stator blades if the fan is installed very close to the cooling object. However, as the separation distance increases, enhanced heat transfer rate in the order of 25% is observed in the case of the fan impeller.