Numerical Simulation of an Axial Cooling Fan

This paper compares numerical results of the flow through an axial fan with measurements. A typical nine bladed engine driven fan is modeled using grid refinement techniques in order to maintain good resolution at the fan blades while also including the extent of the test fixture. In the calculations a multiple reference frame approach, a transient moving mesh and a body force model are investigated. At a fixed fan speed discharge and pressure rise were measured in the test facility and a series of numerical simulations were made over the same range of conditions. A comparison of the two discharge curves shows fairly good agreement.