• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2014

Effects of design variables on the performance of a double-inlet centrifugal blower have been analyzed based on the three-dimensional flow analysis. Two design variables, blade inlet and outlet angles, are introduced to enhance a blower performance. General analysis code, ANSYS-CFX13, is employed to analyze internal flow and a blower performance. SST turbulence model is employed to estimate the eddy viscosity. Throughout the shape optimization of an impeller at the design flow condition, the blower efficiency and pressure are successfully increased by 4.7 and 1.02 percent compared to reference one. It is noted that separated flow observed near cut-off region can be reduced by optimal design of blade angles, which results in stable flow pattern in the blade passage and increase of a blower performance. The stable flow at the impeller also makes good effects at the outlet of a volute casing.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2014

This paper presents the performance enhancement of a double-inlet centrifugal blower by the shape optimization of an impeller. Two design variables, a number of blade and a length of chord, are introduced, and analyzed by a response surface method. Three-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations are used to analyze the blower performance and the internal flow of the blower. Throughout the numerical simulation of the blower, blower efficiency can be increased by reducing separation flow generating from the blade leading edge of a blade pressure surface. It is noted that recirculation flow observed inside the blade passage induces low velocity region, thus increases pressure loss. Efficiency and pressure of the optimum blower are successfully increased up to 3% and 3.9% compared to those of reference blower at the design flow condition, respectively. Detailed flow field inside the blower is also analyzed and compared.