Theoretical, Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Inlet Blade Angle on the Performance of Regenerative Blowers
Author(s)
Tarek Abdel-Malak Mekhail1,
Omar Mohamed Dahab2,
Mohamed Fathy Sadik1,
Mahmoud Mohamed El-Gendi3,
Hesham Sayed Abdel-Mohsen1*
Affiliation(s)
1 Faculty of Energy Engineering, Mechanical Power Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 2 Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Power Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 3 Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Power and Energy Department, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
1 Faculty of Energy Engineering, Mechanical Power Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 2 Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Power Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. 3 Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Power and Energy Department, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
ABSTRACT
Regenerative machines allow high heads at small flow rates and present performance curves with very stable features. This research includes a study of the effect of four inlet flow angles (90°, 115°, 125° and 135°) of the blade at outlet flow angle of 90° on the performance of regenerative blower at rotation speed of 3000 rpm and at different flow rates. Investigation and comparison of the experimental results with both one-dimensional theoretical model and numerical CFD technique using CFX-ANSYS 16.1 are done. The numerical CFD analysis show that the flow enters the impeller from the blade side (about 65% of the blade side area) and leaves from the blade tip and blade side (the remaining 35% from the blade side area). According to this observation, a mathematical model that is based on momentum exchange theory to handle one inlet angle and two exit angles for the regenerative blower impeller blades is proposed. Consequently, the experimental work is carried out by two steps. The first step is done by studying the effect of inlet blade angle of 90° and analyzing the results by using the CFD analysis. The CFD results show shock losses and vortices behind each blade at the inlet flow regions. To reduce these losses, an increase of the inlet blade angle in a range between 25° to 45° is proposed. The second step is the splitting of this angle range to three inlet blade angles of 115°, 125° and 135° in order to study and analyze the CFD results for these angels. The CFD analysis shows the disappearance of the shock losses and vortices that are formed behind the blade of angle 90°. The experimental results show that the pressure head and the efficiency depend strongly on the blade inlet and outlet flow angles as well as on the blade geometry. The results also show that the best blower performance can be obtained at an inlet flow angle of 125°, and this is confirmed by CFD simulation analysis. Finally, it is shown that the proposed one-dimensional model yield results that are in a good agreement with the experimental results.
Regenerative machines allow high heads at small flow rates and present performance curves with very stable features. This research includes a study of the effect of four inlet flow angles (90°, 115°, 125° and 135°) of the blade at outlet flow angle of 90° on the performance of regenerative blower at rotation speed of 3000 rpm and at different flow rates. Investigation and comparison of the experimental results with both one-dimensional theoretical model and numerical CFD technique using CFX-ANSYS 16.1 are done. The numerical CFD analysis show that the flow enters the impeller from the blade side (about 65% of the blade side area) and leaves from the blade tip and blade side (the remaining 35% from the blade side area). According to this observation, a mathematical model that is based on momentum exchange theory to handle one inlet angle and two exit angles for the regenerative blower impeller blades is proposed. Consequently, the experimental work is carried out by two steps. The first step is done by studying the effect of inlet blade angle of 90° and analyzing the results by using the CFD analysis. The CFD results show shock losses and vortices behind each blade at the inlet flow regions. To reduce these losses, an increase of the inlet blade angle in a range between 25° to 45° is proposed. The second step is the splitting of this angle range to three inlet blade angles of 115°, 125° and 135° in order to study and analyze the CFD results for these angels. The CFD analysis shows the disappearance of the shock losses and vortices that are formed behind the blade of angle 90°. The experimental results show that the pressure head and the efficiency depend strongly on the blade inlet and outlet flow angles as well as on the blade geometry. The results also show that the best blower performance can be obtained at an inlet flow angle of 125°, and this is confirmed by CFD simulation analysis. Finally, it is shown that the proposed one-dimensional model yield results that are in a good agreement with the experimental results.
Cite this paper
Mekhail, T. , Dahab, O. , Sadik, M. , El-Gendi, M. and Abdel-Mohsen, H. (2015) Theoretical, Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Inlet Blade Angle on the Performance of Regenerative Blowers. Open Journal of Fluid Dynamics, 5, 224-237. doi: 10.4236/ojfd.2015.53025.
Mekhail, T. , Dahab, O. , Sadik, M. , El-Gendi, M. and Abdel-Mohsen, H. (2015) Theoretical, Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Inlet Blade Angle on the Performance of Regenerative Blowers. Open Journal of Fluid Dynamics, 5, 224-237. doi: 10.4236/ojfd.2015.53025.
References
[1] Tomita, Y., Yamazaki, S. and Sasahara, T. (1973) The Scale Effect and Design Method of the Regenerative Pump with Non-Radial Vanes. Bulletin of the JSME, 16, 1176-1183.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1299/jsme1958.16.1176 [2] Hübel, M., Blattel, B. and Strohl, W. (1995) Investigation on Fluid Mechanics of the Regenerative Pump Used in Gasoline Injection Systems. SAE Technical Paper, 131-139. [3] Badami, M. (1997) Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Traditional and New Periphery Pumps. SAE Technical Paper, 45-55. [4] Choi1, W.C., Yoo, I.S., Park, M.R. and Chung, M.K. (2013) Experimental Study on the Effect of Blade Angle on Regenerative Pump Performance. Journal of Power and Energy, 227, 585-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0957650913487731 [5] Lee, K.-Y., Choi, Y.-S. and Jeong, K.-H. (2010) Design of Side Channel Type Regenerative Blower. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1225, 704. [6] Izenson, M.G., Chen, W.B., Hill, R.W., Phillips, S.D. and Paul, H.L. (2011) Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation. 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Portland. [7] Weise, V. and Beilke, J. (1998) 3D Flow in a Peripheral Fan. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 11, 203-210. [8] Badami, M. and Mura, M. (2012) Comparison between 3D and 1D Simulations of a Regenerative Blower for Fuel Cell Applications. Energy Conversion Management, 55, 93-100.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2011.10.003 [9] Quail, F.J., Scanlon, T. and Baumgartner, A. (2012) Design Study of a Regenerative Pump Using One-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Numerical Techniques. European Journal of Mechanics B/Fluids, 31, 181-187.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechflu.2011.06.003 [10] Meakhail, T. and Park, S.O. (2005) An Improved Theory for Regenerative Pump Performance. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 219, 213-222.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/095765005X7565 [11] Choi, W.C., Yoo, I.S., Park, M.R. and Chung, M.K. (2013) Experimental Study on the Effect of Blade Angle on Regenerative Pump Performance. Journal of Power and Energy, 227, 585-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0957650913487731 [12] Wilson, W.A., Santalo, M.A. and Oelrich, J.A. (1955) Theory of the Fluid-Dynamic Mechanism of Regenerative Pumps. Trans ASME, 77, 1303-1316. [13] Badami, M. (1997) Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Traditional and New Periphery Pumps. SAE Technical Paper Series, No. 971074, 45-55.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4271/971074 [14] Badami, M. and Mura, M. (2010) Theoretical Model with Experimental Validation of a Regenerative Blower for Hydrogen Recirculation in a PEM Fuel Cell System. Energy Conversion Management, 51, 553-560.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2009.10.022 [15] Song, J.W., Engeda, A. and Chung, M.K. (2003) A Modified Theory for the Flow Mechanism in a Regenerative Flow Pump. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 217, 311-322.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/095765003322066538 [16] Lettieri, G.-L., Dodge, A., Boer, G., de Rooij, N.F. and Verpoorte, E. (2003) A Novel Microfluidic Concept for Bioanalysis Using Freely Moving Beads Trapped in Recirculating Flows. Lab on a Chip, 3, 34-39.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b211869f [17] Fan, J., Eves, J., Thompson, H.M., Toropov, V.V., Kapur, N., Copley, D. and Mincher, A. (2011) Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis and Design Optimization of Jet Pumps. Computers & Fluids, 46, 212-217.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2010.10.024 [18] Raheel, M. and Engeda, A. (2002) Current Status, Design and Performance Trends for the Regenerative Flow Compressors and Pumps. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, New Orleans, 17-22 November 2002, 99-110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/imece2002-39594 [19] Sixsmith, H. (1981) The Theory and Design of a Regenerative Compressor, Research Paper for Institute of Refrigeration. Institute of Marine Engineers, 69-77.
[1] Tomita, Y., Yamazaki, S. and Sasahara, T. (1973) The Scale Effect and Design Method of the Regenerative Pump with Non-Radial Vanes. Bulletin of the JSME, 16, 1176-1183.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1299/jsme1958.16.1176 [2] Hübel, M., Blattel, B. and Strohl, W. (1995) Investigation on Fluid Mechanics of the Regenerative Pump Used in Gasoline Injection Systems. SAE Technical Paper, 131-139. [3] Badami, M. (1997) Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Traditional and New Periphery Pumps. SAE Technical Paper, 45-55. [4] Choi1, W.C., Yoo, I.S., Park, M.R. and Chung, M.K. (2013) Experimental Study on the Effect of Blade Angle on Regenerative Pump Performance. Journal of Power and Energy, 227, 585-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0957650913487731 [5] Lee, K.-Y., Choi, Y.-S. and Jeong, K.-H. (2010) Design of Side Channel Type Regenerative Blower. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1225, 704. [6] Izenson, M.G., Chen, W.B., Hill, R.W., Phillips, S.D. and Paul, H.L. (2011) Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation. 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Portland. [7] Weise, V. and Beilke, J. (1998) 3D Flow in a Peripheral Fan. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 11, 203-210. [8] Badami, M. and Mura, M. (2012) Comparison between 3D and 1D Simulations of a Regenerative Blower for Fuel Cell Applications. Energy Conversion Management, 55, 93-100.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2011.10.003 [9] Quail, F.J., Scanlon, T. and Baumgartner, A. (2012) Design Study of a Regenerative Pump Using One-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Numerical Techniques. European Journal of Mechanics B/Fluids, 31, 181-187.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechflu.2011.06.003 [10] Meakhail, T. and Park, S.O. (2005) An Improved Theory for Regenerative Pump Performance. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 219, 213-222.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/095765005X7565 [11] Choi, W.C., Yoo, I.S., Park, M.R. and Chung, M.K. (2013) Experimental Study on the Effect of Blade Angle on Regenerative Pump Performance. Journal of Power and Energy, 227, 585-592.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0957650913487731 [12] Wilson, W.A., Santalo, M.A. and Oelrich, J.A. (1955) Theory of the Fluid-Dynamic Mechanism of Regenerative Pumps. Trans ASME, 77, 1303-1316. [13] Badami, M. (1997) Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Traditional and New Periphery Pumps. SAE Technical Paper Series, No. 971074, 45-55.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4271/971074 [14] Badami, M. and Mura, M. (2010) Theoretical Model with Experimental Validation of a Regenerative Blower for Hydrogen Recirculation in a PEM Fuel Cell System. Energy Conversion Management, 51, 553-560.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2009.10.022 [15] Song, J.W., Engeda, A. and Chung, M.K. (2003) A Modified Theory for the Flow Mechanism in a Regenerative Flow Pump. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 217, 311-322.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/095765003322066538 [16] Lettieri, G.-L., Dodge, A., Boer, G., de Rooij, N.F. and Verpoorte, E. (2003) A Novel Microfluidic Concept for Bioanalysis Using Freely Moving Beads Trapped in Recirculating Flows. Lab on a Chip, 3, 34-39.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b211869f [17] Fan, J., Eves, J., Thompson, H.M., Toropov, V.V., Kapur, N., Copley, D. and Mincher, A. (2011) Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis and Design Optimization of Jet Pumps. Computers & Fluids, 46, 212-217.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2010.10.024 [18] Raheel, M. and Engeda, A. (2002) Current Status, Design and Performance Trends for the Regenerative Flow Compressors and Pumps. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, New Orleans, 17-22 November 2002, 99-110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/imece2002-39594 [19] Sixsmith, H. (1981) The Theory and Design of a Regenerative Compressor, Research Paper for Institute of Refrigeration. Institute of Marine Engineers, 69-77.