Fan Modelling in CFD Using RANS with MRF, Limitations and Consistency, a Comparison between Fans of Different Design

Paper i proceeding, 2011

This paper will present a comparison between measured and CFD simulated fan performance characteristics of three different types of heavy duty truck fans. The test bench incorporates a fan, fan ring, shroud and 3D engine blockage. The latter creates a severe constraint to the use of simplified 3D CFD fan models (MRF-model). The results illustrates that the MRF methodology is consistent with test data for axial flow conditions up to fan transition, i.e. this methodology could be used for applications with a correctly installed axial fan. However after fan transition the methodology is not consistent any more.