A P P L I C A T I O N B R I E F S F R O M F L U E N T
EX143
Backward-Inclined Centrifugal Fan
FLUENT is validated in this example of flow through a backward-inclined centrifugal fan. A range of fan flow rates was studied. The steady-state multiple reference frames (MRF) model along with the realizable k-e turbulence model are shown to suitably capture several performance characteristics of the fan when compared to available test data.
The fan under consideration All solutions were
is a backward-inclined performed using second centrifugal fan with a order discretizations for conventional rotor design. all equations and the The fan was tested in a standard SIMPLE laboratory (in accordance pressure-velocity with ANSI/AMCA 210-85, coupling scheme. The fan ANSI/ASHRAE 51-1985 geometry is shown in procedures) by mounting Figure 1. It consists of a the outlet of the fan to the top rim (shroud), 15 inlet of a wind tunnel. Air blades, and back plate. from the ambient was The rotor is installed in a permitted to enter the fan scroll-type casing, which through the inlet orifice Figure 1: The collects the flow from the from all directions. The fan geometry rotor and discharges it pressure rise and flow rate through a rectangular were measured in the Therefore, the inlet-rotor domain outlet. An inlet orifice is wind tunnel using conventional was modeled using the moving also employed to help direct the techniques (static pressure taps reference frame model (constant flow into the rotor with minimal and flow nozzles). Performance rotational speed), while the casing loss. data for the fan, which included domain was assumed to be pressure rise, shaft power, and stationary. The sound pressure level, were effects of turbulence collected for a nominal operating were modeled using speed and a range of flow rates. the realizable k- Due to minor variations in speed turbulence model and air temperature, all data were with non-equilibrium corrected to the nominal rotational wall functions. The speed and standard atmospheric working fluid (air) density (0.075 lbm/ft3). was assumed to be incompressible with One of the goals of this study was constant properties to determine the efficacy of the (density = 0.075 Figure 2: The steady-state MRF approach in lbm/ft 3, viscosity = surface mesh simulating centrifugal fans. 1.2x10-5 lb/ft-s). used
Copyright 2001 Fluent Inc. EX146 Page 1 of 3
* Power Coefficient: coefficients over-predict the data = P/(N3D5) throughout the range of flow * Efficiency: rates, with a maximum error of = / about 12%.
where Q is the The efficiency comparisons are
volumetric flow rate shown in Figure 5. These reflect through the fan, N is the the discrepancies in the power fan speed in rev/sec, D is coefficient results; however, the the rotor diameter, p is point of peak efficiency is the pressure rise across correctly predicted, and the errors the fan, P is the power in most of the efficiency values drawn by the fan, and are well within 10%. is the air density. The power is computed from The pressure distribution on the Figure 3: Pressure rise coefficient vs. flow coefficient the CFD results by rotor and fan casing for an multiplying the torque on intermediate flow rate is shown in The computational grid for the Figure 6. The pressure rise centrifugal fan was created through the fan is clearly seen using GAMBIT. The in this figure, as are the radial geometry for the fan rotor and pressure gradients in the casing was obtained in the casing. form of IGES geometry files. This geometry was used as the Figure 7 shows the relative basis for constructing flow velocity vectors at a cutting domain volumes within plane midway between the GAMBIT. The surface mesh bottom of the rotor and the top created is shown in Figure 2. edge of the rotor exit for the This was used to generate the intermediate flow rate shown final hybrid, unstructured in Figure 6. The flow is fairly mesh containing 543,028 cells, steady and uniform at this with tetrahedral elements in flow rate, as well as at higher the inlet-rotor domain, and flow rates. At lower flow Figure 4: Power coefficient vs. flow coefficient hexahedral elements in the casing domain. the fan blades by the angular speed of the fan Solutions were obtained for a rotor. In Figure 3, the range of flow rates so that fan pressure rise coefficient performance data were generated is plotted as a function of and compared with the available flow coefficient, and the test data. The following non- FLUENT predictions are dimensional parameters were in excellent agreement used to characterize the fan with data. performance: The power coefficient * Flow Coefficient: results are shown in = Q/(ND 3) Figure 4. Even though * Pressure Rise Coefficient: the trend is correctly = p/(N2D2) predicted, these Figure 5: Efficiency vs. flow coefficient
Copyright 2001 Fluent Inc. EX143 Page 2 of 3
To summarize, rate and the point of peak performance efficiency, were correctly calculations for a predicted. These results suggest backward-inclined that a steady-state MRF approach centrifugal fan were can be used effectively for carried out using the computing centrifugal fan flows. FLUENT 5 CFD solver While the present calculations are on an unstructured, reasonable approximations to the hybrid mesh. The mean flow field within the fan, it numerical results were is to be expected that, as the flow found to be in good begins to breakdown at very low agreement with the flow rates, the flow will become available test data. highly unsteady. Consequently, Moreover, important the steady-state MRF approach performance trends, will not provide acceptable such as the variations in accuracy, and an unsteady pressure rise and (sliding mesh) solution will be Figure 6: Static pressure contours efficiency versus flow required. for the intermediate flow rate case
rates, however (not shown), the
flow appears to be stalled in some of the rotor passages as a result of localized recirculation zones. In these conditions, the flow is not well suited to the MRF formulation, and needs to be properly simulated with the sliding mesh model.
Figure 7: Velocity vectors on the mid-plane for the intermediate flow rate case