Investigation of flow dynamics and decrease of vortex noise inside volute of centrifugal fans

Abstract

The characteristics of three-dimension flow dynamics inside the volute of a G4-73No.8D centrifugal fan was simulated numerically using a computational fluid dynamics(CFD) technique. The generation, evolution, and noise of the vortex were investigated when cylinder-shaped and cone-cylinder-shaped anti-vortex rings were added separately. Numerical results showed that large-scale vortices were broken effectively and the flow fields inside the fan were more uniform with the two anti-vortex rings installed. Experimental results indicated A-sound level and spectrum noise of the refitted fan decreased and the two anti-vortex rings were effective in decreasing vortex noise. The cone-cylinder-shaped anti-vortex ring was more effective than the cylinder-shaped one in breaking large-scale vortexes and decreasing vortex noise.

Keywords

thermal power engineering / centrifugal fan / anti-vortex ring / flow dynamics / numerical simulation / vortex noise