Experimental and numerical analysis on the effect of inlet distortion on the performance of a centrifugal fan with a mixing chamber

Abstract

Inlet flow distortions, which are caused by fluid mixing, cause a significant deterioration in fan performance. An experimental test rig for an industrial fan with dual inlets and a mixing chamber was constructed. The flow fields in the mixing chamber of the fan were numerically investigated. Consequently, impact parameters, including the length of the mixing chamber (100, 200, and 300 mm) and the mass flow rate ratio (1 to 10), as well as their effects on fan performance, were discussed. A generalized formula considering the Reynolds number, hydraulic diameter, and mixing length was proposed to predict the pressure drop in dual inlets. Results show that the efficiency of and pressure in the fan decreased by 6.5% and 203 Pa, respectively, under mixing inlet condition. Optimum fan performance is achieved at a flow rate ratio of 5 under the same mass flow rate. The increase in the flow rate ratio kept the fan performance almost constant. At the design stage, fan performance and pressure decrease by an average of 2% and 70 Pa in increments of 100 mm mixing length, respectively. The results presented in this paper provide a basis in the design optimization of mixing structures.