Numerical study of aerodynamic performance and flow characteristics of a centrifugal blower

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on the effect of the operating condition such as the impeller speed on the centrifugal fan performance and flow characteristics. The ability to predict the behavior of the airflow motion in a centrifugal blower is essential for obtaining the topology optimization design.Design/methodology/approachA physical model of the air blower consisting of these main parts in a blower system: collector, impeller, outlet flange and volute casing, and the appropriate boundary conditions are set up by ANSYS software. Computation fluid dynamics are performed for the numerical analysis. The calculation of blower performance parameters such as total pressure, efficiency and flow rate is based on the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations and k-εturbulence flow model.FindingsThe numerical results show that the change in operating conditions has a significant effect on the blower performance, and the pressure maintained inside the blower is higher for a larger impeller rotational speed.Originality/valueThis work is original and has not yet been submitted to elsewhere or published previously.