Noise Prediction of a Centrifugal Fan: Numerical Results and Experimental Validation

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Ballesteros-Tajadura ◽  
Sandra Velarde-Suárez ◽  
Juan Pablo Hurtado-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Aerodynamic Noise ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Noise Prediction ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Unsteady Forces ◽  
Centrifugal Fans

Centrifugal fans are widely used in several applications, and in some cases, the noise generated by these machines has become a serious problem. The centrifugal fan noise is frequently dominated by tones at the blade passing frequency as a consequence of the strong interaction between the flow discharged from the impeller and the volute tongue. In this study, a previously published aeroacoustic prediction methodology (Cho, Y., and Moon, Y.J., 2003, “Discrete Noise Prediction of Variable Pitch Cross-Flow Fans by Unsteady Navier-Stokes Computations,” ASME J. Fluids Eng., 125, pp. 543–550) has been extended to three-dimensional turbulent flow in order to predict the noise generated by a centrifugal fan. A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the complete unsteady flow on the whole impeller-volute configuration has been carried out using the computational fluid dynamics code FLUENT®. The unsteady forces applied by the fan blades to the fluid are obtained from the data provided by the simulation. The Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings model extension of Lighthill’s analogy has been used to predict the aerodynamic noise generated by the centrifugal fan from these unsteady forces. Also, the noise generated by the fan has been measured experimentally, and the experimental results have been compared to the numerical results in order to validate the aerodynamic noise prediction methodology. Reasonable agreement has been found between the numerical and the experimental results.

Prediction of the Aerodynamic Noise Generated by a Centrifugal Fan: Numerical Results and Experimental Validation

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Ballesteros-Tajadura ◽  
Sandra Velarde-Sua´rez ◽  
Juan Pablo Hurtado-Cruz ◽  
Bruno Pereiras-Garci´a
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Prediction Method ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Aerodynamic Noise ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Fan Noise ◽  
Unsteady Forces ◽  
Model Extension ◽  
Centrifugal Fans

Centrifugal fans are widely used in several applications and, in some cases, the noise generated by these machines has become a serious problem. Usually, the centrifugal fan noise is dominated by tones at the blade passage frequency and its higher harmonics. This is a consequence of the strong interaction between the flow discharged from the impeller and the volute tongue. The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction method for the noise generated by a centrifugal fan. A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the complete unsteady flow on the whole impeller-volute configuration has been carried out using the computational fluid dynamics code FLUENT®. The unsteady forces applied by the fan blades to the fluid are obtained from the data provided by the simulation. The Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings model extension of Lighthill’s analogy predicts the aerodynamic noise generated by the centrifugal fan from these unsteady forces. Also, the noise generated by the fan has been measured experimentally, and the experimental results have been compared to the numerical results in order to validate the aerodynamic noise prediction methodology. A good agreement has been found between the numerical and the experimental results.

Numerical Simulation and Experiment Research on Pressure Fluctuation and Aerodynamic Noise Field of a Multi-Blade Centrifugal Fan

2012 ◽  
Vol 468-471 ◽  
pp. 2231-2234
Author(s):  
Feng Gao ◽  
Wei Yan Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Simple Algorithm ◽  
Aerodynamic Noise ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Simulation And Experiment

Numerical simulation of the three-dimensional steady and unsteady turbulent flow in the whole flow field of a multi-blade centrifugal fan is performed. Unstructured grids is used to discrete the computational domain. Pressure boundary conditions are specified to the inlet and the outlet. The SIMPLE algorithm in conjunction with the RNG k-ε turbulent model is used to solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. The moving reference frame is adopted to transfer data between the interfaces of the rotating field and the stationary field. Based on the calculation of the inner-flow in the fan, the pressure pulsation of some important monitoring points and the aerodynamic noise distribution, banding together experiment data were farther analyzed The simulation results are of important significance to the optimal design and noise control of the fan.

Effects of stator splitter blades on aerodynamic performance of a single-stage transonic axial compressor

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 7369-7378
Author(s):  
Ky-Quang Pham ◽  
Xuan-Truong Le ◽  
Cong-Truong Dinh
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Operating Stability ◽  
Length Coverage

Splitter blades located between stator blades in a single-stage axial compressor were proposed and investigated in this work to find their effects on aerodynamic performance and operating stability. Aerodynamic performance of the compressor was evaluated using three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using the k-e turbulence model with a scalable wall function. The numerical results for the typical performance parameters without stator splitter blades were validated in comparison with experimental data. The numerical results of a parametric study using four geometric parameters (chord length, coverage angle, height and position) of the stator splitter blades showed that the operational stability of the single-stage axial compressor enhances remarkably using the stator splitter blades. The splitters were effective in suppressing flow separation in the stator domain of the compressor at near-stall condition which affects considerably the aerodynamic performance of the compressor.

Shape Optimization of Forward-Curved-Blade Centrifugal Fan with Navier-Stokes Analysis

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Yong Kim ◽  
Seoung-Jin Seo
Keyword(s):  
Response Surface ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Computing Time ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Curved Blade

In this paper, the response surface method using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis to optimize the shape of a forward-curved-blade centrifugal fan is described. For the numerical analysis, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the standard k-ε turbulence model are discretized with finite volume approximations. The SIMPLEC algorithm is used as a velocity–pressure correction procedure. In order to reduce the huge computing time due to a large number of blades in forward-curved-blade centrifugal fan, the flow inside of the fan is regarded as steady flow by introducing the impeller force models. Four design variables, i.e., location of cutoff, radius of cutoff, expansion angle of scroll, and width of impeller, were selected to optimize the shapes of scroll and blades. Data points for response evaluations were selected by D-optimal design, and a linear programming method was used for the optimization on the response surface. As a main result of the optimization, the efficiency was successfully improved. Effects of the relative size of the inactive zone at the exit of impeller and momentum fluxes of the flow in scroll on efficiency were further discussed. It was found that the optimization process provides a reliable design of this kind of fan with reasonable computing time.

Large Eddy Simulation of Cross Flow in Pipe Junction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Chen ◽  
Yue Sun ◽  
Hang Zhang ◽  
Dakui Feng ◽  
Zhiguo Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Large Eddy Simulation ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Exciting Force ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Pipe Network ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Large Eddy

Mixing in pipe junctions can play an important role in exciting force and distribution of flow in pipe network. This paper investigated the cross pipe junction and proposed an improved plan, Y-shaped pipe junction. The numerical study of a three-dimensional pipe junction was performed for calculation and improved understanding of flow feature in pipe. The filtered Navier–Stokes equations were used to perform the large-eddy simulation of the unsteady incompressible flow in pipe. From the analysis of these results, it clearly appears that the vortex strength and velocity non-uniformity of centerline, can be reduced by Y-shaped junction. The Y-shaped junction not only has better flow characteristic, but also reduces head loss and exciting force. The results of the three-dimensional improvement analysis of junction can be used in the design of pipe network for industry.

scholarly journals Modeling the 3-d flow around a cylinder using the SAS hybrid model

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 901-918 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Vortex Size

<div> <p>Three-dimensional calculations were performed to simulate the flow around a cylindrical vegetation element using the Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) model; commonly, this is the first step of the modeling of the flow through multiple vegetation elements. SAS solves the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations in stable flow regions, while in regions with unstable flow it goes unsteady producing a resolved turbulent spectrum after reducing eddy viscosity according to the locally resolved vortex size represented by the von Karman length scale. A finite volume numerical code was used for the spatial discretisation of the rectangular computational domain with stream-wise, cross-flow and vertical dimensions equal to 30D, 11D and 1D, respectively, which was resolved with unstructured grids. Calculations were compared with experiments and Large Eddy Simulations (LES). Predicted overall flow parameters and mean flow velocities exhibited a very satisfactory agreement with experiments and LES, while the agreement of predicted turbulent stresses was satisfactory. Calculations showed that SAS is an efficient and relatively fast turbulence modeling approach, especially in relevant practical problems, in which the very high accuracy that can be achieved by LES at the expense of large computational times is not required.</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of Turbulent Flow in Volute

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akitomo Igarashi ◽  
Kazuyuki Toda ◽  
Makoto Yamamoto ◽  
Toshimichi Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Fan Performance ◽  
Centrifugal Fans ◽  
Good Agreement

The performance of centrifugal fans is considerably influenced by the design of tongue at the re-circulation port. The flow in the volute of a centrifugal fan was studied both experimentally and numerically. In this experiment, flow angle, pressure and velocity profiles were measured at a large number of locations in the volute. The flow field in the volute passage was analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The flow was assumed to be three dimensional, turbulent and steady. The numerical simulation produced qualitatively good agreement with the experimental result. The results from experiment and numerical simulation indicated that the adoption of a re-circulating flow port improved fan performance for all flow conditions. In addition, the existence of strong secondary flow was apparent at the cross-section of the volute passage.

scholarly journals An Experimental and Computational Investigation of Flow in a Radial Inlet of an Industrial Pipeline Centrifugal Compressor

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Flathers ◽  
G. E. Bache ◽  
R. Rainsberger
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Computational Results ◽  
Industrial Pipeline ◽  
Design Schedule

The flowfield of a complex three dimensional radial inlet for an industrial pipeline centrifugal compressor has been experimentally determined on a half scale model. Based on the experimental results, inlet guide vanes have been designed to correct pressure and swirl angle distribution deficiencies. The unvaned and vaned inlets are analyzed with a commercially available fully 3D viscous Navier-Stokes code. Since experimental results were available prior to the numerical study, the unvaned analysis is considered a postdiction while the vaned analysis is considered a prediction. The computational results of the unvaned inlet have been compared to the previously obtained experimental results. The experimental method utilized for the unvaned inlet is repeated for the vaned inlet and the data has been used to verify the computational results. The paper will discuss experimental, design and computational procedures, grid generation, boundary conditions, and experimental versus computational methods. Agreement between experimental and computational results is very good, both in prediction and postdiction modes. The results of this investigation indicate that CFD offers a measurable advantage in design, schedule and cost and can be applied to complex, three dimensional radial inlets.

Numerical Calculation of Pressure Fluctuations in the Volute of a Centrifugal Fan

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Ballesteros-Tajadura ◽  
Sandra Velarde-Suárez ◽  
Juan Pablo Hurtado-Cruz ◽  
Carlos Santolaria-Morros
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Wall Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Good Agreement

In this work, a numerical model has been applied in order to obtain the wall pressure fluctuations at the volute of an industrial centrifugal fan. The numerical results have been compared to experimental results obtained in the same machine. A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the complete unsteady flow on the whole impeller-volute configuration has been carried out using the computational fluid dynamics code FLUENT®. This code has been employed to calculate the time-dependent pressure both in the impeller and in the volute. In this way, the pressure fluctuations in some locations over the volute wall have been obtained. The power spectra of these fluctuations have been obtained, showing an important peak at the blade passing frequency. The amplitude of this peak presents the highest values near the volute tongue, but the spatial pattern over the volute extension is different depending on the operating conditions. A good agreement has been found between the numerical and the experimental results.

scholarly journals Linear pulse structure and signalling in a film flow on an inclined plane

1999 ◽  
Vol 396 ◽  
pp. 37-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEONID BREVDO ◽  
PATRICE LAURE ◽  
FREDERIC DIAS ◽  
THOMAS J. BRIDGES
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Saddle Point ◽  
Convective Instability ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Surface Boundary Conditions

The film flow down an inclined plane has several features that make it an interesting prototype for studying transition in a shear flow: the basic parallel state is an exact explicit solution of the Navier–Stokes equations; the experimentally observed transition of this flow shows many properties in common with boundary-layer transition; and it has a free surface, leading to more than one class of modes. In this paper, unstable wavepackets – associated with the full Navier–Stokes equations with viscous free-surface boundary conditions – are analysed by using the formalism of absolute and convective instabilities based on the exact Briggs collision criterion for multiple k-roots of D(k, ω) = 0; where k is a wavenumber, ω is a frequency and D(k, ω) is the dispersion relation function.The main results of this paper are threefold. First, we work with the full Navier–Stokes equations with viscous free-surface boundary conditions, rather than a model partial differential equation, and, guided by experiments, explore a large region of the parameter space to see if absolute instability – as predicted by some model equations – is possible. Secondly, our numerical results find only convective instability, in complete agreement with experiments. Thirdly, we find a curious saddle-point bifurcation which affects dramatically the interpretation of the convective instability. This is the first finding of this type of bifurcation in a fluids problem and it may have implications for the analysis of wavepackets in other flows, in particular for three-dimensional instabilities. The numerical results of the wavepacket analysis compare well with the available experimental data, confirming the importance of convective instability for this problem.The numerical results on the position of a dominant saddle point obtained by using the exact collision criterion are also compared to the results based on a steepest-descent method coupled with a continuation procedure for tracking convective instability that until now was considered as reliable. While for two-dimensional instabilities a numerical implementation of the collision criterion is readily available, the only existing numerical procedure for studying three-dimensional wavepackets is based on the tracking technique. For the present flow, the comparison shows a failure of the tracking treatment to recover a subinterval of the interval of unstable ray velocities V whose length constitutes 29% of the length of the entire unstable interval of V. The failure occurs due to a bifurcation of the saddle point, where V is a bifurcation parameter. We argue that this bifurcation of unstable ray velocities should be observable in experiments because of the abrupt increase by a factor of about 5.3 of the wavelength across the wavepacket associated with the appearance of the bifurcating branch. Further implications for experiments including the effect on spatial amplification rate are also discussed.

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