Abstract
The objective of the present investigation is to explore the possibility of improving the performance of a centrifugal fan at low Reynolds numbers using a simple passive means, namely Gurney flap (GF). GFs of 1/$8^{th}$ inch brass angle (3.175 mm) corresponding to 15.9% of blade exit height or 5.1% of blade spacing at the impeller tip are attached to the impeller blade tip on the pressure surface. Performance tests are carried out on the centrifugal fan with vaneless diffuser at five Reynolds numbers (viz., 0.30, 0.41, 0.55, 0.69, $0.82{\times}10^5$, i.e., at five speeds respectively at 1,100, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 rpm) without and with GF. Static pressures on the vaneless diffuser hub and shroud are also measured for each speed at four flow coefficients [${\phi}$=0.23 (below design flow coefficient), ${\phi}$=0.34 (design flow coefficient), ${\phi}$=0.45 (above design flow coefficient) and ${\phi}$=0.60 (above design flow coefficient)] with and without GF. From the performance curves it is found that the performance of the fan improves considerably with GFs at lower Reynolds numbers and improves marginally at higher Reynolds number. Similar improvements are observed for the static pressures on the diffuser hub and shroud. The effect of Reynolds number on the performance and static pressures is considerable. However the effect is reduced with GFs.