Abstract
A computational analysis using Reynolds stress model in FLUENT is conducted to give a clear understanding of the effect of blade loading on the structure of tip leakage flow in a forward-swept axial-flow fan at design condition ($\phi$=0.25) and off-design condition ($\phi$=0.21 and 0.30). The roll-up of tip leakage flow starts near the minimum static wall pressure position, and the tip leakage vortex developes along the centerline of the pressure trough within the blade passages. Near tip region, a reverse flow induced by tip leakage vortex has a blockage effect on the through-flow. As a result, high momentum region is observed below the tip leakage vortex. As the blade loading increases, the reverse flow region is more inclined toward circumferential direction and the onset position of the rolling-up of tip leakage flow moves upstream. Because the casing boundary layer becomes thicker, and the mixing between the through-flow and the leakage jet with the different flow direction is enforced, the streamwise vorticity decays more fast with blade loading increasing. The computational results show that a distinct tip leakage vortex is observed downstream of the blade trailing edge at $\phi$=0.30, but it is not observed at $\phi$=0.21 and 0.25.
