Predicting the Performance of an Industrial Centrifugal Fan Incorporating Cambered Plate Impeller Blades

Abstract

Application of computational methods to industrial fan de- IntroductionThe industrial centrifugal fans used in cement, steel and power applications are typically tailored to the applications' specific flow and pressure demands [1]. Although aerodynamic performance has historically been scaled from previous laboratory test data, the impeller, shaft and housing mechanical design, bearing selection and rotor-dynamic analysis are invariably unique. A consequence of the need for a unique design for each fan has resulted in a historic focus on automating the processes associated with mechanical design and rotor-dynamic analysis [1]. Design methods that embed previously established limits into a computer code are coupled with parametric three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) models that have associated two-dimensional drawing packs. The result are design methods that engineers can use to deliver a full set of manufacturing drawings for a centrifugal industrial fan with less than one man week of engineering time required for each design.A historic focus on the automation and control of industrial centrifugal fan order related engineering and production of manufacturing drawings has helped to ensure that in-service failures are rare; however, this ultimately limits the resultant design's aerodynamic efficiency. Scaling and interpolating fan performance using methods developed in the 1950's [2,3] results in reliably predicting aerodynamic performance, but inevitably also sub-optimal performance.

Enhancing Efficiency of Industrial Centrifugal Fans Using Blade Adjustment Mechanism

“…As stated in the literature and standards, fan performance curves include, especially, a pressure curve, an efficiency curve and a power consumption curve in the determination of flow rate [9][10][11][12][13][14]. CFD calculation is an effective tool used to calculate turbo-machinery characteristics and flow fields within the flow domain [11,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…To derive fan performance curves, each model was calculated in six different working points which is sufficient for proper standardization [9]. The CFD calculations were conducted using a turbulence two equations model k-ω (SST), in accordance with best practice for calculation of turbomachinery performance [11,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. For the inlet boundary condition, velocity was stated with respect to required volumetric flow.…”

Materials Selection and Design Options Analysis for a Centrifugal Fan Impeller in a Horizontal Conveyor Dryer

“…An integrated approach to modelling industrial fans, taking into account specific technological conditions, has been presented in [22], allowing to simulate the performance at peak pressure for conditions of maximum efficiency of operating parameters and to make a prediction of the nature of impeller erosion as well.…”

Transient Numerical Simulation of a Large-Sized Cement-Mill Fan for Performance Prediction

“…Assuming that the flow-field within the centrifugal fan is solved, it is possible to track the solid particles trajectory to model the erosion behavior. Cardillo L. et al [1,2] studied an industrial centrifugal fan installed in a cement production plant for erosion prediction, unsteady simulation was carried out at the peak pressure using the open-source solver OpenFOAM. Aldi N. et al [3] studied the erosion behavior of a large-sized centrifugal fan, unsteady simulation was also employed by means of the commercial CFD code ANSYS CFX to take into account the effects of the flow unsteadiness in erosion prediction.…”