Response surface method-based optimization of the shroud of an axial cooling fan for high performance and low noise

Ren, Guangzhi; Heo, Seongmin; Kim, Tae-Hoon; Cheong, Cheolung

doi:10.1007/s12206-012-1220-y

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The optimization is performed using the response surface method (RSM), which is a collection of mathematical and statistical techniques for empirical model building, can solve multiple responses over the entire area of interest, and produce more accurate solutions than other methods [18][19][20]. In this study, the optimization is performed using the following second-order regression equation:…”

Section: Optimization Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of the Orifice Shape of Cooling Fan Units for High Flow Rate and Low-Level Noise in Outdoor Air Conditioning Units

Park¹,

Ryu

Cheong

et al. 2019

Applied Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Demand for air conditioners is steadily increasing due to global warming and improved living standards. The noise, as well as the performance of air conditioners, are recognized as one of the crucial factors that determine the air conditioners’ values. The performance and noise of the air conditioner are mostly determined by those of its outdoor unit, which in turn depend on those of the cooling fan unit. Therefore, a cooling fan unit of high-performance and low noise is essential for air-conditioner manufacturers and developers. In this paper, the flow performance and flow noise of the entire outdoor unit with an axial cooling fan in a split-type air-conditioner were investigated. First, a virtual fan tester constructed by using about 18 million grids is developed for highly resolved flow simulation. The unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations are numerically solved by using finite-volume computational fluid dynamics techniques. To verify the validity of the numerical analysis, the predicted P–Q curve of the cooling fan in a full outdoor unit is compared with the measured one. There was an excellent agreement between the two curves. The further detailed analysis identifies the coherent vortex structures between the fan blade tip and fan orifice, which adversely affect the flow performance and causes flow noise. Based on this analysis, the optimization of fan orifice was carried out using the response surface method with three geometric parameters: inlet radius, neck length, and outlet angel of the orifice. The optimum layout for the high flow rate is proposed under the understanding that the increased flow rate can be converted to noise reduction. The additional computation using the proposed optimum orifice shows that the flow rate is increased by 4.6% at the operating point. Finally, the engineering sample was manufactured by using the optimum design, and the measured data confirmed that the flow rate were increased by 2.1%, the noise reduction was made by 2.8 dBA, and the power consumption is reduced by 4.0% at the operating rotational speed.

show abstract

Section: Optimization Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of the Orifice Shape of Cooling Fan Units for High Flow Rate and Low-Level Noise in Outdoor Air Conditioning Units

Park¹,

Ryu

Cheong

et al. 2019

Applied Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since the cooling fan is one type of axial fan, several investigations also have been concentrated on high-speed axial fans [17], low-speed axial fans [18][19][20], low-pressure axial fans [21,22], and hollow blade axial fans [23,24]. Hu et al [25] conducted an FW-H acoustic simulation on high-speed axial flow fans, and the results showed that the noise on the blade pressure surface was greater than that on the suction surface. Moosania et al [18] analyzed the flow structure of a low-speed partially shrouded fan and found that there are low-speed zones at the hub and blade tip.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of cooling fans (even axial fans) have been studied, most of them are concentrated on the fan impeller. Few studies have considered the impact of shroud [25,26], whose mechanism has not been clearly revealed. A detailed understanding requires data regarding the cooling fan with the shroud.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Investigation on the Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Characteristics in New Energy Vehicle Cooling Fan with Shroud

Huang,

Xu,

Wang

et al. 2024

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The cooling fan is one of the important noise sources for new energy vehicles, and the research on its aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics is of great help to improve the noise, vibration and harshness performance of new energy vehicles. However, most of these studies focus on the impeller, and little consideration has been given to the study of the shroud. Based on the coupling calculation method of large eddy simulation and the Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings acoustics model, the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics in a cooling fan with the shroud are investigated at flow rates from 0.623 kg/s to 1.019 kg/s (where 0.865 kg/s is the flow rate corresponding to the best efficiency point). The accuracy of numerical simulation results is verified by the grid independence verification and the comparison of experimental data. Research shows that several large-scale vortex structures are observed in the clearance between the impeller and the shroud. The maximum peak-to-peak values of pressure fluctuation at different flow rates occur in the intermediate section or outlet section of the shroud. Although the shroud contributes relatively less to the far field noise, its different distribution may change the position of the maximum sound pressure level. The dominant frequency of pressure fluctuation equals the blade passage frequency (BPF) and the maximum SPL is around the BPF, both of which are independent of flow rates. The maximum SPL and the amplitude of the dominant frequency decrease as the flow rate increases.

show abstract

“…From their results, it became noticeable that a wave-shaped hub with optimized dimension and streamwise position of maximum camber could prevent unfavorable pressure gradients and wall secondary flow losses. Ren et al [3] performed an optimization of the performance and noise level using three parameters for the shroud of a small axial cooling fan. The parameters were the distance from the original position in the axial direction (downstream), orifice length at the shroud in the axial direction, and height of the serrated shape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Investigation of Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Tunnel Ventilation Axial Fan with Thickness Profile Treatments of NACA Airfoil

Kim

Lee²,

Lee

et al. 2020

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An axial flow fan, which is applied for ventilation in underground spaces such as tunnels, features a medium–large size, and most of the blades go through the casting process in consideration of mass production and cost. In the casting process, post-work related to roughness treatment is essential, and this is a final operation to determine the thickness profile of an airfoil which is designed from the empirical equation. In this study, the effect of the thickness profile of an airfoil on the performance and aerodynamic characteristics of the axial fan was examined through numerical analysis with the commercial code, ANSYS CFX. In order to conduct the sensitivity analysis on the effect of the maximum thickness position for each span on the performance at the design flow rate, the design of experiments (DOE) method was applied with a full factorial design as an additional attempt. The energy loss near the shroud span was confirmed with a quantified value for the tip leakage flow (TLF) rate through the tip clearance, and the trajectory of the TLF was observed on the two-dimensional (2D) coordinates system. The trajectory of the TLF matched well with the tendency of the calculated angle and correlated with the intensity of the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) distribution. However, a correlation between the TLF rate and TKE could not be established. Meanwhile, the Q-criterion method was applied to specifically initiate the distribution of flow separation and inlet recirculation. The location accompanying the energy loss was mutually confirmed with the axial coordinates. Additionally, the nonuniform blade loading distribution, which was more severe as the maximum thickness position moved toward the leading edge (LE), could be improved significantly as the thickness near the trailing edge (TE) became thinner. The validation for the numerical analysis results was performed through a model-sized experimental test.

show abstract

Response surface method-based optimization of the shroud of an axial cooling fan for high performance and low noise

Cited by 14 publications

References 8 publications

Optimization of the Orifice Shape of Cooling Fan Units for High Flow Rate and Low-Level Noise in Outdoor Air Conditioning Units

Optimization of the Orifice Shape of Cooling Fan Units for High Flow Rate and Low-Level Noise in Outdoor Air Conditioning Units

Numerical Investigation on the Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Characteristics in New Energy Vehicle Cooling Fan with Shroud

Numerical Investigation of Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Tunnel Ventilation Axial Fan with Thickness Profile Treatments of NACA Airfoil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About