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Design of a Diffuser for a Subsonic Wind Tunnel Equipped with Three Axial Fans Using CFD

Saboohi, Zoheir | 2012

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 43842 (45)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Aerospace Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Darbandi, Masoud
  7. Abstract:
  8. Nowadays, a wind tunnel is a tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects. By employing a wind tunnel, we can compeletely control the conditions of aerodynamic testing on specific models. In this research, the design of a diffuser for the subsonic wind tunnel has been taken into account by CFD. The wind tunnel is of suction type and is powered by three axial fans which are manufactured by LTG Inc. The tunnel test section has a 140 cm height and 195cm width which can provide a necessary Mach number. Considering the setting of the three axial fans, located at the end of the diffuser and parallel to each other, it’s necessary to take into consideration the specific preparations. Note that for numerical modeling of fans, the pressure jump method, actuator disk method (addition of source terms into momentum equations), and 3D modeling to simulate the impeller (rotating reference frame) have been used. As a result, a comprehensive comparison between these methods has been presented. In the process of designing the diffuser and wind tunnel, the 3D modeling to simulate the impeller method was utilized. This method provides an adequate means for simulating the swirl of air flow in the vicinity of the fan. In designing the diffuser and taking into consideration the governing limitations, the optimize diffuser was selected based on the following criteria: minimum possibility of flow separation, minimum values of pressure loss, maximum mass flow rate, and the best test section flow quality. The best geometrical characteristics have been selected for designing the optimal performance for the diffuser. The final design includes a circular diffuser which incorporates a 4 degree equivalent cone angle. This study also suggests that the circular scheme is superior to the triangular and fitted design aspect of the total pressure loss and the volumetric flow rate
  9. Keywords:
  10. Wind Tunnel ; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) ; Diffusers ; Axial Fan ; Three Dimentional Modeling to Simulate the Impeller ; Actuator Disk Method

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