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Investigation of varying tip clearance gap and operating conditions on the fulfilment of low-speed axial flow fan

  • Jignesh R. Vala ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Dinesh K. Patel , Anand P. Darji and L. Natrayan ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: October 1, 2024
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Abstract

The present study aims to identify the suitable tip clearance and volumetric flow rates for low-speed axial flow fans. The performance of an axial fan depends on various parameters like fan speed, available tip clearance gap, volumetric flow rate, power consumption, and working fluid. Leakage flow occurring at a rotating component such as a blade and solid casing of a ducted axial fan is typically linked to losses and the potential emergence of a rotating stall. The numerical analysis for this study uses the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the k-omega SST turbulence model to perform the steady-state simulations by varying tip gap and volumetric flow rate. The results proved that the optimum performance was obtained with a tip clearance gap of 1 mm, and maximum fan efficiency was achieved at a volumetric flow rate of 3.9–4.5 m3/s. The novelty of this proposed work is to enhance the efficiency of axial flow fans with circular arc-cambered aerofoils using optimum tip clearance and volumetric flow rate through steady-state simulations. This method can be used in turbomachinery to improve fan performance.


Corresponding author: Jignesh R. Vala, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India; and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology, Vasad, Gujarat, India, E-mail:

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

Nomenclature

A

Area in m2

V

Velocity in m/s

T

Torque input of the FanFan in Nm

Psf

Fan static pressure in N/m2

P

Fan shaft power consumption in W

M

Gradient of straight-line correlation

k

Pressure loss coefficient in terms of the volume flow

C

Constant of straight line correlation

D

Fan diameter in m

K

Pressure loss coefficient in terms of the velocity

N

FanFan rotational speed in rpm

P

Pressure in N/m2

S

Local tip clearance gap in m

V

Volumetric flow rate in m3/s

TCG

Tip Clearance Gap

TLF

Tip Leakage flow

TLV

Tip Leakage Vortex

SS

Suction Side

PS

Pressure Side

VS

Vortex Sheet

BFV

Backflow Vortex

References

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Received: 2024-07-31
Accepted: 2024-09-10
Published Online: 2024-10-01
Published in Print: 2025-05-26

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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