INFLUENCE OF GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS ON CENTRIFUGAL FAN PERFORMANCE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of geometrical parameters of centrifugal fan on performance has been presented with a system approach. Often, the operators or the design engineers focus on the immediate requirements of the engine/equipment and they neglect the broader question of how the fan parameters are affecting the equipment. For instance, change in fan angles will change the performance e.g., airflow rates and efficiency. However, it also affects the contaminants build-up on the blades. Blade angle with higher angle of attack will promote contaminants build-up on blade surfaces, which in turn causes performance degradation and unstable operation. The system approach in fan parameter selection will result in a more reliable system. Significance of other fan parameters is also discussed. We present an experimental setup and validated computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model. Fan power consumption is determined experimentally and compared with the CFD model. Further parametric simulations were carried out to investigate the effect on fan performance. Effect of system resistance, inlet and outlet angle, blade thickness, and no-uniform spaced blades has been described with discussions on industrial relevance. A fan with higher flow rates is desirable to reduce engine temperatures and enhance the durability. However, higher flow rates result in more fan power consumption at a given fan speed. The test results suggest that a fan with higher power coefficient does not affect the vehicle's mileage significantly. This paper will help design engineers in making informed decision about the interaction between the fans and system, and its effect during the operation.