We developed a high-efficiency propeller fan to reduce electric power consumption of the fan motor for outdoor heatpump units, and we developed a designing tool combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with multi-objective optimization techniques based on the genetic algorithm (GA). In CFD, a numerical model is calculated using commercial software based on steady state, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and k-ε turbulent flow model. The objective functions are fan efficiency and fan noise for optimization. Fan efficiency is calculated directly from the CFD results, and fan noise is calculated using an aerodynamic noise prediction model using the relative inlet and outlet velocities of the fan blades from the CFD results. We fabricated a high-efficiency propeller fan characterized with curled trailing edge tips from Pareto optimal solutions. The experimental results from the performance of the fan showed the developed fan was more efficient than conventional fan.

Volume Subject Area:
12th International Symposium on Advances in Numerical Modeling for Turbomachinery Flow Optimization
Topics:
Computational fluid dynamics, Heat pumps, Optimization, Propellers, Noise (Sound), Aerodynamic noise, Blades, Computer simulation, Computer software, Design, Electricity (Physics), Engines, Genetic algorithms, Motors, Pareto optimization, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, Steady state, Turbulence
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Copyright © 2011
 by JSME
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