The Design of an Axial Flow Fan for Application in Large Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois G. Louw ◽  
Phillipe R. P. Bruneau ◽  
Theodor W. von Backström ◽  
Sybrand J. van der Spuy
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Volumetric Flow Rate ◽  
Cooling Capacity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Operating Efficiency ◽  
Inlet Conditions

The heat transfer characteristics of industrial air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs) are dependent on the ability of the fan system to deliver sufficient cooling air. However, under normal operating conditions, variable flow direction and strength often subject peripheral fans to distorted inlet conditions with an attendant reduction in overall volumetric flow rate and cooling capacity. In this paper, a design methodology for single-rotor axial flow fans, appropriate for use in large industrial ACHE’s is presented. The primary motivation for this work was to address the issues of robust off-design performance, in particular, distorted inlet flow tolerance. Using this methodology, two 8-bladed prototype fans (B1 and B2) were designed, built and tested in accordance with BS 848 (Type A) standards. The two B-fans have a hub-tip ratio of xh = 0.4 and employ the Clark Y and NASA LS airfoil profiles respectively. Measured performance characteristics were compared to commercial fan designs (V-, DL- and L-fan) used in existing ACHEs. Results indicate that the B-fans have a higher design point operating efficiency. The B-fans also show a steeper fan static pressure rise characteristic compared to the commercial fans, except for the DL-fan, implying a greater tolerance to pressure fluctuations caused by distorted inflows.

Impact of the Expansion Ratio on the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Performance of a HP Axial Turbine

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gaetani ◽  
G. Persico ◽  
A. Spinelli ◽  
A. Mora
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Expansion Ratio ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
And Performance

In the frame of the European research project RECORD, the flow field within a HP axial-flow turbine model was investigated experimentally for several operating conditions. A number of studies on stator-rotor interaction in HP turbines for subsonic as well as transonic/supersonic conditions were proposed in the last decades, but none of them compared different conditions for the same geometry. In this paper, the transonic condition is investigated and compared to three subsonic ones, in the frame of an entirely new experimental campaign. The research was performed at the Laboratorio di Fluidodinamica delle Macchine of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy), where a cold-flow, closed-loop test rig is available for detailed studies on turbines and compressors. The boundary conditions resulted in keeping constant both the turbine inlet temperature and the stage outlet absolute flow direction; so far, while the expansion ratio was varied, the rotational speed was also modified accordingly. The analysis was performed by means of a conventional five hole probe in the stator – rotor axial gap and by a fast response aerodynamic probe downstream of the rotor. The local time-averaged and phase-resolved flow field was then derived and used to analyze the stage aerodynamics and performance. Results show that the stage expansion ratio has a dramatic impact on both the rotor aerodynamics and stage performance. In particular, Mach number effects are recognized in the stator cascade that passes from transonic to low subsonic conditions. On the rotor cascade the reduction of expansion ratio reduces significantly the Mach and Reynolds numbers and increases the incidence angle as well; the rotor loss mechanics as well as the vane-rotor interaction are greatly amplified. Correspondingly a significant variation of stage overall efficiency is recorded.

Dynamic Behavior of Plate Heat Exchangers—Experiments and Modeling

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 859-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Das ◽  
B. Spang ◽  
W. Roetzel
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Phase Lag ◽  
Plate Heat

Experiments on the transient behavior of two welded plate heat exchangers with identical construction but different numbers of plates have been carried out under different operating conditions. The temperature response on both sides following a step change in inlet temperature on one side has been compared to a theoretical model. The model takes the effects of flow maldistribution within the channels and between channels into account by introducing a dispersion term in the energy equation. The phase lag due to different flow path lengths between inlet or outlet of the heat exchanger and inlet or outlet of the individual channels are also taken into account. Heat conduction through the plates in the main flow direction of the fluids can be neglected for the exchangers under consideration. The model is validated by the experiments. It is found that the dispersion model considered gives a better simulation than the conventional plug flow model. From the experiments the effects of NTU, heat capacity rate ratio, and number of plates were also determined. This demonstrates the whole spectrum of dynamic behavior of plate heat exchangers. To suggest a proper control strategy for such heat exchangers, the parameters of conventional first and second-order systems with delay period have been determined from the results of the experiments and the theoretical model.

scholarly journals Recessed Casing Treatment Effects on Fan Performance and Flow Field

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Kang ◽  
A. B. McKenzie ◽  
R. L. Elder
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Operating Efficiency ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Casing Treatment ◽  
Stall Margin Improvement ◽  
Blade Tip

An experimental investigation to examine the influence of the vaned recess casing treatment on stall margin, operating efficiency and the flow field of a low speed axial flow fan with aerospace type blade loading is presented. Different geometrical designs of the vaned passages were examined. The best configuration resulted in a stall margin improvement of 67%, a significantly higher pressure rise in the stall region and insignificant change in peak efficiency. Detailed 3-D flow measurements in the endwall region and in the casing recess were carried out with a slanted hot-wire, providing some insight to the operation of the device. The results revealed that the stall margin improvement was largely due to the removal of flow from the blade tip to the recess, and the elimination of the growth of the stall region at the tip, which occurs at stall in the solid casing build.

Flow Fields in an Axial Flow Compressor During Four-Quadrant Operation

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Gill ◽  
Theodor W. von Backström ◽  
Thomas M. Harms ◽  
Dwain Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Axial Flow Compressor ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Flow Compressor

It has been shown in previous investigations that when all combinations of both positive and negative direction of rotation and flow direction are allowed in operating a multistage axial flow compressor, the operating point may be in any of the four quadrants of the pressure rise versus flow characteristic. The present paper is the first discussion of the flow field of all possible modes of operation of an axial flow compressor. During the present study interstage time dependent hot film velocity measurements and five hole pneumatic probe measurements were combined with steady and time dependent CFD solutions to investigate the flow fields in the three-stage axial compressor. Results are presented in terms of mean-line velocity triangles, mean stream surface plots, mid-span radial velocity contours right through the compressor, rotor-downstream radial distributions of axial and tangential velocity, stator-downstream axial velocity contours and mid-span entropy contours through the compressor. Main flow features are pointed out and discussed. The study was instigated in an effort to understand possible accident scenarios in a three-shaft closed cycle nuclear powered helium gas turbine.

Experimental Evidence of Hydroacoustic Pressure Waves in a Francis Turbine Elbow Draft Tube for Low Discharge Conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Arpe ◽  
Christophe Nicolet ◽  
François Avellan
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Draft Tube ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Vortex Rope

The complex three-dimensional unsteady flow developing in the draft tube of a Francis turbine is responsible for pressure fluctuations, which could prevent the whole hydropower plant from operating safely. Indeed, the Francis draft tube is subjected to inlet swirling flow, divergent cross section, and the change of flow direction. As a result, in low discharge off-design operating conditions, a cavitation helical vortex, so-called the vortex rope develops in the draft tube and induces pressure fluctuations in the range of 0.2–0.4 times the runner frequency. This paper presents the extensive unsteady wall pressure measurements performed in the elbow draft tube of a high specific speed Francis turbine scale model at low discharge and at usual plant value of the Thoma cavitation number. The investigation is undertaken for operating conditions corresponding to low discharge, i.e., 0.65–0.85 times the design discharge, which exhibits pressure fluctuations at surprisingly high frequency value, between 2 and 4 times the runner rotation frequency. The pressure fluctuation measurements performed with 104 pressure transducers distributed on the draft tube wall, make apparent in the whole draft tube a fundamental frequency value at 2.5 times the runner frequency. Moreover, the modulations between this frequency with the vortex rope precession frequency are pointed out. The phase shift analysis performed for 2.5 times the runner frequency enables the identification of a pressure wave propagation phenomenon and indicates the location of the corresponding pressure fluctuation excitation source in the elbow; hydroacoustic waves propagate from this source both upstream and downstream the draft tube.

Multi-Blade Row Interactions in a Transonic Axial Compressor: Part II — Rotor Wake Forcing Function and Stator Unsteady Aerodynamic Response

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Sanders ◽  
S. Fleeter
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Rotor Wake ◽  
Transonic Compressor ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamic ◽  
Forcing Function

The unsteady aerodynamic flow field of the downstream stator in an advanced design 1&1/2 stage axial-flow compressor is experimentally investigated at both subsonic and transonic compressor operating conditions. The stator response at the subsonic rotor speed is mainly due to changes in the airfoil circulation distribution resulting from the incidence fluctuations generated by the passing of the rotor wakes. This is not the case for the transonic rotor speed in which phenomena associated with the intra-stator transport of the chopped rotor wake segments through the vane passage dominate the stator unsteady aerodynamic response characteristics. Rotor-IGV and rotor-stator interactions also generate static pressure fluctuations that act as an additional unsteady aerodynamic forcing function to the downstream stator. The spatial periodicity of these acoustic interactions is over the entire annulus of the machine due the unequal number of blades and vanes in the compressor, with the amplitude of the acoustic excitation to the downstream stator varying from vane-to-vane around the compressor annulus.

A New Technique for Stabilizing the Flow and Improving the Performance of Vaneless Radial Diffusers

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Abdel-Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Flow Instability ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Diffuser Flow ◽  
Flow Oscillations ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Unsteady Characteristics

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of using small exit vanes on the characteristics of an otherwise vaneless radial diffuser of outer radius and width-to-inlet radius ratios of 1.75 and 0.116, respectively. The steady and unsteady characteristics of the diffuser were evaluated as the angle of the vanes was varied continuously at several diffuser inlet conditions. The measurements showed that the influence of the adjustable exit vanes on the diffuser flow field increased as the diffuser inlet flow angle was decreased. Elimination of the self-excited flow oscillations in the diffuser was possible for all operating conditions by appropriate setting of the exit vane angle. Moreover for the diffuser investigated here and with optimum setting of the exit vanes angle the static pressure rise coefficient was significantly improved compared to the case of a pure vaneless diffuser and was found to remain almost constant at low values of diffuser inlet angles. Relative to other techniques for controlling flow instability in vaneless diffusers the proposed method offers mechanical simplicity and improved overall performance.

The Effect of Hub Configuration on the Performance of an Air-Cooled Steam Condenser Fan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Meiring ◽  
S. J. van der Spuy ◽  
C. J. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Volumetric Flow Rate ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Static Efficiency ◽  
Air Cooled Condensers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Axial flow fans used in air-cooled condensers are typically analysed with smooth rounded hubs as they offer superior performance when compared to other hub configurations. However, such a hub configuration is impractical and may increase the manufacturing and installation costs of air-cooled condensers. As such, it is desirable to use a simpler, yet effective, hub configuration in order to reduce the installation cost. This paper assesses the impact that a simpler hub configuration may have on the performance of an axial flow fan. This is done through a comparison of three hub configurations: a cylindrical hub with a flat nose, a cylindrical hub with a hemispherical nose, and a disk hub, installed on the B2a-fan. Computational fluid dynamics modelling, utilising OpenFOAM, is used to simulate each hub configuration. It is found that the impact on performance due to hub configuration is dependent on the volumetric flow rate through the fan. A thin disk hub exhibits superior performance at low flow rates, resulting in a 8.4% improvement in total-to-static pressure rise and a 5.7% point improvement in total-to-static efficiency. As volumetric flow rate increases, the effectiveness of the disk hub configuration reduces while the hemispherical and flat nosed cylindrical hub configurations result in similar performance metrics at the design point flow rate. At above design point flow rate, the flat nosed cylindrical hub configuration shows an improvement in performance over the hemispherical nose cylindrical hub configuration, with a 9.5% increase in total-to-static pressure rise and a 5.1% point improvement in total-to-static efficiency.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of the Performance of a Supersonic Compressor Cascade

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 456-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Tweedt ◽  
H. A. Schreiber ◽  
H. Starken
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Side Wall ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Inlet Conditions

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of a linear, supersonic compressor cascade tested in the supersonic cascade wind tunnel facility at the DFVLR in Cologne, Federal Republic of Germany. The cascade was derived from the near-tip section of a high-throughflow axial flow compressor rotor and has a design relative inlet Mach number of 1.61. Test data were obtained over the range of inlet Mach numbers from 1.30 to 1.17. Side-wall boundary layer suction was used to reduce secondary flow effects within the blade passages and to control the axial-velocity-density ratio (AVDR). Flow velocity measurements showing the wave pattern in the entrance region were obtained with a laser anemometer. The unique-incidence relationship for this cascade, relating the supersonic inlet Mach number to the inlet flow direction, is discussed. The influence of static pressure ratio and AVDR on the blade performance is described, and an empirical correlation is used to show the influence of these (independent) parameters for fixed inlet conditions on the exit flow direction and the total-pressure losses.

Flow Fields in an Axial Flow Compressor During Four-Quadrant Operation

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Gill ◽  
Theodor W. Von Backström ◽  
Thomas M. Harms
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Axial Flow Compressor ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Flow Compressor

It has been shown in previous investigations that when all combinations of both positive and negative direction of rotation and flow direction are allowed in operating a multistage axial flow compressor, the operating point may be in any of the four quadrants of the pressure rise versus flow characteristic. The present paper is the first discussion of the flow field of all possible modes of operation of an axial flow compressor. During the present study interstage time dependent hot film velocity measurements and five hole pneumatic probe measurements were combined with steady and time dependent CFD solutions to investigate the flow fields in the three-stage axial compressor. Results are presented in terms of mean-line velocity triangles, mean stream surface plots, midspan radial velocity contours right through the compressor, rotor-downstream radial distributions of axial and tangential velocity, stator-downstream axial velocity contours and midspan entropy contours through the compressor. Main flow features are pointed out and discussed. The study was instigated in an effort to understand possible accident scenarios in a three-shaft closed cycle nuclear powered helium gas turbine.

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