On the Improvement of the Performance of an Axial Mining Fan: Parametric Study

The main objective of this work is the improvement of the aerodynamic performance of a Chinook-type axial mining fan. It was achieved by investigating the behavior of several parameters affecting it. These include the effects of both the angle of attack of the blades and the blade / tube clearance on other parameters such as the total pressure, air flow, turbulent intensity (It), turbulent energy (Et) and the turbulent dissipeation (Dt) based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study is part of an ongoing project about enhancing the operating conditions of the axial mining fan. The preliminary results indicate an existence of some intervals of both the angle of attack of the blades and the blades / tube clearance over which the fan’s performance is optimal. A functional angle of attack between 20 and 65° has been taken to avoid any risk of interference between blades during installation and rotation. The study of the current lines distribution showed that a leakage flow was developed around fan’s functional clearance. This is due to the existence of a pressure gradient between the facets of the blades in which the fluid flows from the area of higher pressure into area of lower pressure.