Effect of Impeller Parameters on the Flow inside the Centrifugal Blower using CFD

Abstract

A numerical analysis is carried out to understand the flow characteristics for different impeller configurations of a single stage centrifugal blower. The volute design is based on constant velocity method. Four different impeller configurations are selected for the analysis. Impeller blade geometry is created with point by point method. Numerical simulation is carried out by CFD software GAMBIT 2.4.6 and FLUENT 6.3.26. GAMBIT work includes geometry definition and grid generation of computational domain. This process includes selection of grid types, grid refinements and defining correct boundary conditions. Processing work is carried out in FLUENT. The viscous Navier-Stokes equations are solved with control volume approach and the k-ε turbulence model. In this three dimensional numerical analysis is carried out with steady flow approach. The rotor and stator interaction is solved by mixing plane approach. Results of simulation are presented in terms of flow parameters, at impeller outlet and various angular positions inside the volute. Also, the contours of flow properties are presented at the outlet plane of fluid domain. Results suggest that for the same configurations of centrifugal blower, as we change geometrical parameter of impeller the flow inside the blower get affected.