Three-dimensional flow analysis and improvement of slip factor model for forward-curved blades centrifugal fan

This work developed improved slip factor model and correction method to predict flow through impeller in forward-curved centrifugal fan. Both steady and unsteady three-dimensional CFD analyses were performed to validate the slip factor model and the correction method. The results show that the improved slip factor model presented in this paper could provide more accurate predictions for forward-curved centrifugal impeller than the other slip factor models since the present model takes into account the effect of blade curvature. The correction method is provided to predict mass-averaged absolute circumferential velocity at the exit of impeller by taking account of blockage effects induced by the large-scale backflow near the front plate and flow separation within blade passage. The comparison with CFD results also shows that the improved slip factor model coupled with the present correction method provides accurate predictions for mass-averaged absolute circumferential velocity at the exit of impeller near and above the flow rate of peak total pressure coefficient.     

Experimental and numerical study of the sweep effect on three-dimensional flow downstream of axial flow fans

The purpose of this work is to study the influence of the axial flow fan sweep on the downstream turbulent flow. The fans studied are three low-pressure and low-Mach-number axial flow fans, with respectively a radial, a forward and a backward sweep. Experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) investigations are carried out on three fans, and the results are compared. The CFD method is a three-dimensional (3D) Reynolds average Navier–Stokes (RANS) numerical simulation with the Reynolds stress model (RSM) as the turbulence model. It allows us to compute the Reynolds stress tensor components. Unsteady velocity measurements are carried out downstream of the fans with hot-wire anemometry. The values of the three velocity components of the flow and the six components of the Reynolds stress tensor obtained from experiments and simulations are compared. Overall performances are also measured to validate the design and fan simulation. It appears that a forward sweep decreases the radial component of the velocity whereas a backward sweep increases this component. Moreover, the sweep has a significant influence on the turbulent kinetic energy downstream of the fan.     

Parametric study on a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan with an impeller separated by an annular plate

A parametric study on the geometry of an impeller in a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan for residential ventilation has been carried out in this work. Numerical analysis of a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan was carried out by solving three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the shear stress transport turbulence model. A validation of numerical results was conducted by comparison with experimental data for the pressure and efficiency. The impeller separated by an annular plate was employed, and the annular plate height and the angle between the upper and lower impellers were selected as the geometric parameters to investigate their effects on the efficiency of the forward-curved blades centrifugal fan. Additionally, the impeller geometry having the highest efficiency was tested with the number and exit angle of blades. The results show that the impeller with properly installed annular plate improves the aerodynamic performance of the forward-curved blades centrifugal fan.     

Experimental study on unsteady characteristics of the transient cavitation flow

The characteristics of unsteady cavitation flow under different cavitation numbers are investigated experimentally. An optical test rig is designed to visualize the cavitation flow and the cavity length is defined based on high-speed camera technology. The development of cavitation flow can be divided into inception and fusion region, expansion region and collapse region. Due to the interaction between the re-entrant jet and the cavity interface, the cavitation bubbles near the solid wall collapse earlier than them in the downstream. The cavitation number is also the important factor determining the cavity length pulsation. Further analysis shows that the smaller the cavitation number, the smaller the frequency of cavity length fluctuations and the larger the mean cavity length. The cavitation intensity is stronger at lower cavitation number. Meanwhile, the cycle collapsing frequency of cavitation is around 220–320 Hz. With the decrease of cavitation number, the amplitude of cavitation pulsation increases while the corresponding collapsing frequency decreases.     

离心泵空化现象的模拟试验研究

针对离心泵空化状态识别难的问题,对离心泵空化前后进、出口的压力、振动和水声信号进行了研究。设计并搭建了双离心泵综合试验平台,构建了信号检测与采集系统,利用Lab VIEW工具开发了状态监测系统。在保持离心泵流量恒定的前提下,通过调节进出口阀门开度,控制其扬程变化,完成了空化模拟试验。试验中,分别测取了机组3种工况下的流量、转速和进出口压力等数据,绘制了各工况的临界汽蚀余量判别曲线。并根据离心泵的结构特点与空化特性,对离心泵的压力、振动和水声信号进行了深入地分析比较,提取了其空化特征信息。研究结果表明,空化前后进、出口压力信号、振动信号以及水声信号可作为空化监测的特征量,且相对于水声,离心泵发生空化现象后,对进、出口压力和振动参数影响更明显。     

Effects of clearance flow on the characteristics of centrifugal pump under low flow rate

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the shear stress transport k-w turbulence model are employed to simulate the centrifugal pump with...     

An experimental study on the cavitation vibration characteristics of a centrifugal pump at normal flow rate

Cavitation is a challenging flow abnormality that leads to undesirable effects on the energy performance of the centrifugal pump and the reliable operation of the pump system. The onset and mechanism of a phenomenon that results in unsteady cavitation must be realised to ensure a reliable operation of pumps under the cavitation state. This study focuses on cavitation instability at normal flow rate, at which point the unsteady cavitation occurs as the available net positive suction head (NPSHa) falls below 5.61 m for the researched pump. An ameliorative algorithm–united algorithm for cavitation vibration analysis is proposed on the basis of short time Fourier transform (STFT) and Wigner–Ville distribution (WVD). The STFT–WVD method is then tested using vibration data measured from the centrifugal pump. The relationship between vibration and suction performance indicates that the inception and development of cavitation can be effectively detected by the distribution and intensity of the united algorithm at the testing points. Intermediate frequency components at approximately 6 kHz fluctuate initially with the development of cavitation. A time–frequency characteristic is found to be conducive to monitoring the cavitation performance of centrifugal pumps.     

Experimental study of acoustic characteristics of expansion chamber with mean flows

For the measurement of transmission loss of the silencers which have mean flow, the noise levels of signals depicted by microphone usually prohibit accurate measurements of the transmission loss. To overcome this difficulty, static pressure compensation technique has been developed to increase the dynamic range of the microphones, resulting accurate measurement of transmission loss in the presence of high noise level. Series of experiments to investigate the acoustic characteristics of expansion chamber with mean flow has been performed using the pressure compensated microphones. Results demonstrate: (1) frequency shift due to the presence of mean flow, (2) effect of length, diameter, offset length and twisting angles to the transmission loss of expansion chamber with and without mean flow (up to 50m/sec), (3) relation between the proposed parameter ‘aspect ratio’ and number of peaks of transmission loss in low frequency region.     

独立式散热舱冷却空气侧流动特性试验研究

Aiming at the great differences between the detached cooling system and the traditional axial cooling system in aspects like system arrangement, matching relationships between the fan and radiators, the flow field distribution and so on, the detached cooling test bench was designed. Experimental study on the detached cooling system with different radiators’ installation angle and position was carried out on the new test bench. Dynamic characteristics like flow resistance and air speed distribution were measured by piezometer tubes and impeller anemometers. Relatively uneven coefficient of the air speed distribution and system matching curve were calculated and analyzed. The results indicate that when the radiator installation angle is within 30°, with the angle increasing, radiator flow resistance decreases and air speed distribution on the radiator surface is more uneven. When the position relationships between radiators change from opposed form to vertical form, radiator flow resistance increases and air speed distribution is more uneven. The matching area between the fan and the detached cooling system locates in the area where the fan pressure is low and the air flow is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]     

固液两相离心泵内部非定常流动特性研究

为研究固液两相流离心泵内部的非定常流动特性,基于滑移网格方法,采用RNGκ-ε湍流模型以及ASMM代数滑移混合物模型,对一台高比转速固液两相离心泵内部流场进行非定常流动的数值模拟,通过分析清水工况数值计算结果、外特性性能实验结果以及固液两相流非定常数值计算结果,获得了非定常条件下固液两相输送离心泵的瞬时外特性曲线和内部流动及磨损规律。研究结果表明:在一个转动周期内,离心泵的扬程、效率和轴功率均呈现正弦波动特征;动静干涉效应使得叶轮出口处的速度和静压分布均呈现周期性波动;模型泵叶轮前后盖板的磨损情况比蜗壳壁面的磨损严重。上述计算结果可为实现高比转速固液两相流离心泵的优化水力设计和减轻磨损提供一定的理论参考。     

Experimental investigation of the 3D unsteady flow field downstream of axial fans

This experimental study, applied to axial fans with three different types of sweep (backward, radial and forward), aims at quantifying the 3D structure of the flow field from unsteady velocity measurements. The hot-wire anemometry is used to measure the velocity components in the nearfield, downstream of the fans. The data analysis leading to averaged and turbulent velocities, the components of the Reynolds’ stress tensor and the turbulent kinetic energy is presented in order to illustrate the influence of the sweep. A spectral analysis is also performed.     

离心泵叶轮内水流相对速度的实验研究

该研究应用PIV系统(粒子成像测速仪)这种先进的流场测试技术在不干扰流场的情况下,进行高精度的测量,即利用撒在流体中的粒子对光的散射作用,用光学的方法记录下粒子在不同时刻的位置,从而得到粒子的位移,基于粒子对流场的跟随性,测出水流在离心泵叶片流道内的绝对速度分布,并利用软件进行数据处理,得到离心叶轮内部从吸力边到压力边相对速度的分布,为离心泵的设计提供了更为可靠的理论依据。     

离心泵内流场空化特性的数值模拟研究

针对离心泵内流场特性分析困难的问题,对离心泵流场数值模拟的几何模型建立、模型网格划分和边界条件设定进行了研究,采用计算流体力学方法,获取了在敞水性能条件下离心泵的扬程-流量、效率-流量的变化关系;结合Zwart空化模型,重点对不同有效汽蚀余量时离心泵的空化流场进行了数值模拟,得到了离心泵的内部流线和空泡分布的情况,并与该离心泵机组进行了性能测试实验,最后在此基础之上进行了对比分析。研究结果表明,所采用的数值模拟方法和空化模型合理有效,此结果可为进一步开展离心泵空化监测技术研究提供借鉴。     

Experimental investigation on aero-acoustic characteristics of a centrifugal compressor for the fuel-cell vehicle

A variety of centrifugal compressors are used in various fields of industry such as aircraft, home appliances, and vehicles. Comfort and quietness are important in these uses. As a result, noise has become an important consideration in compressor design besides the conventional performance parameters such as efficiency and pressure ratio. However, compressor noise has been difficult to understand because of the lack of information. The aim of this paper is to investigate the aero-acoustic characteristics of a centrifugal compressor for the fuelcell vehicle by experiments. The existing compressor system is modified to measure the internal pressure fluctuation at the impeller inlet, the impeller outlet and the diffuser outlet. Four microphone probes are also installed to determine the external noise levels and spectra of the compressor in an airtight room according to the RPM and mass flow rate. The test results show the possibility to tell the relative noise level of a centrifugal compressor with the internal pressure data. The external microphone signals have relation to the internal pressure signals. They have similar patterns and spectra. It is a noteworthy phenomenon because it is easier and inexpensive to predict pressure behaviors than noise characteristics of centrifugal compressors. The dominant noise source is the tonal noise during normal operation. But the broadband noise component due to the turbulent flow in the compressor increases during low flow rate operation. Computational simulations are carried out to describe these phenomena and to identify noise indicators. The turbulence kinetic energy and the pressure distribution obtained from CFD results may be indicative of the relative noise intensity of the compressor. The experimental facility, instrumentation and simulation conditions are described, and the results are presented in this paper.     

Numerical investigation on the transient characteristics of sediment-laden two-phase flow in a centrifugal pump

The objective of this work was to determine pressure fluctuation and transient flow characteristics, which aims to provide references to improve noise and vibration performance for the pump design and optimization when delivering sediment-laden flow. The three-dimensional (3D) transient simulations were simulated by SST k-ω turbulence model combined with Homogeneous equilibrium model (HEM). The experimental and numerical data was compared to validate the numerical accuracy. The simulation results predicted that the concentration shows strong effects on the external performance, velocity, pressure, turbulent kinetic energy distribution and peak amplitude of pulsation frequency, which all perform increasing trend with the rise of concentration. Meanwhile, the effect of the diameter size of particles on the flow field was relatively minor, which can also evidently influence the internal flow, but the effect is not simply proportional to the diameter size. The effect of diameter size on silt flow needs to be taken into account associated with the concentration distribution. The dominant frequency of solid-liquid approximately equals 0.8 times that of pure water, and the transient characteristics of sediment-laden flow perform low frequency with high amplitude features.     

叶轮结构对离心风机流动特性及性能影响的研究现状

通过回顾近年来国内外对叶轮性能的研究现状,结合叶轮结构形式及参数对离心风机不同方面的影响,得出离心风机叶轮内的损失主要是叶道内沿程摩擦损失,叶片上边界层分离,叶轮径向出口速度分布不均匀引起的尾迹流,轴向涡流,叶道进口冲击损失等。并指出今后的研究应以试验研究与采用CFD相结合的方法,在风机设计时考虑上述影响因素,从而降低叶轮内损失,提高离心风机性能。     

不同扭曲角贯流风机结构参数研究

通过计算流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)方法,采用Fluent软件数值研究了扭曲角90°和60°贯流风机的结构参数(蜗壳间隙、蜗舌间隙、叶片内圆周角和叶片外圆周角)对贯流风机出风口体积流率的影响,从而得到不同扭曲叶片贯流风机叶轮在一定转速下,使贯流风机性能较优的结构参数。同时实验测试了扭曲角90°和60°贯流风机出风口平均风速值,并且和理论计算结果基本吻合。以上为贯流风机优化设计提供了重要的参考。     

Experimental study of centrifugal compressor vaneless diffuser width

Seven different vaneless diffuser designs for a centrifugal compressor, varying only in diffuser width, were studied experimentally. The studied diffuser widths versus impeller exit width were 1.0, 0.903, 0.854, and 0.806. Three of the narrowed diffusers had the width reduced from the hub and shroud divided evenly, and the three others had the width reduced only from the shroud. The total and static pressures, the total temperature and the flow angles at the diffuser inlet and outlet were measured at the design rotational speed with three different mass flows. The impeller and diffuser performance was studied along with the axial distributions of flow angles and velocities in the diffuser. The results revealed that the pinch improved the compressor stage and impeller performance but deteriorated the diffuser performance. The pinch clearly decreased the secondary flow region present near the shroud. The pinch implemented in the shroud is more beneficial than pinch divided between the hub and the shroud. In order to obtain the beneficial effects of pinch, the pinch should be sufficient. However, excessive pinch deteriorates the compressor performance.     

Investigation on characteristics of pressure fluctuation in a centrifugal pump with clearance flow

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Clearance flow has great impact on pressure fluctuation of centrifugal pumps. Numerical calculations are performed to study the pressure fluctuation...     

Influence of blade thickness on transient flow characteristics of centrifugal slurry pump with semi-open impeller

As the critical component, the impellers of the slurry pumps usually have blades of a large thickness. The increasing excretion coefficient of the blades affects the flow in the impeller resulting in a relatively higher hydraulic loss, which is rarely reported. In order to investigate the influence of blade thickness on the transient flow characteristics of a centrifugal slurry pump with a semi-open impeller, transient numerical simulations were carried out on six impellers, of which the meridional blade thickness from the leading edge to trailing edge varied from 5-10 mm, 5-15 mm, 5-20 mm, 10-10 mm, 10-15 mm, and 10-20 mm, respectively. Then, two of the six impellers, namely cases 4 and 6, were manufactured and experimentally tested for hydraulic performance to verify the simulation results. Results of these tests agreed reasonably well with those of the numerical simulation. The results demonstrate that when blade thickness increases, pressure fluctuations at the outlet of the impeller become severe. Moreover, the standard deviation of the relative velocity in the middle portion of the suction sides of the blades decreases and that at the outlet of the impeller increases. Thus, the amplitude of the impeller head pulsation for each case increases. Meanwhile, the distribution of the time-averaged relative flow angle becomes less uniform and decreases at the outlet of the impeller. Hence, as the impeller blade thickness increases, the pump head drops rapidly and the maximum efficiency point is offset to a lower flow rate condition. As the thickness of blade trailing edge increases by 10 mm, the head of the pump drops by approximately 5 m, which is approximately 10 % of the original pump head. Futhermore, it is for the first time that the time-averaged relative flow angle is being considered for the analysis of transient flow in centrifugal pump. The presented work could be a useful guideline in engineering practice when designing a centrifugal slurry pump with thick impeller blades.