Study on Optimization of Non-symmetric Volute and Underlying Mechanism for Centrifugal Fan

doi:10.3901/JME.260135

Abstract

Abstract: In order to reduce the flow loss in the volute of centrifugal fan, a design method of non-symmetric volute based on vortex control is proposed. Five design variables of the non-symmetric volute were selected as optimization parameters, and the total pressure rise and efficiency of centrifugal fan are taken as optimization objectives to carry out multi-objective optimization design. The mechanism of loss reduction of the volute is revealed using experiments and large-eddy numerical simulations. The optimized centrifugal fan with non-symmetric volute is tested experimentally. The results show that the total pressure rise of the fan under the design condition is 3.90% higher than that of the original, and the efficiency is improved by 5.02%. Mechanism analysis shows that the non-symmetric volute translates the high strength and large scale vortex in the original volute into low strength and small scale vortex, especially eliminates the high strength vortex near the volute tongue. Therefore, the volute loss is remarkably reduced. It is found that the vortex scale is inversely related to the fan efficiency via analyzing the vortex scale in the volute quantitatively. In addition, the non-symmetric volute significantly reduces the pressure pulsation of low frequency caused by high intensity vortices in the original volute.

Key words: centrifugal fan, vortex loss, volute optimization, genetic algorithm, fan efficiency

CLC Number:

TG156

WANG Wei, WANG Junlong, LUO Xingqi, CU Tingting, LU Jinling, FENG Jianjun. Study on Optimization of Non-symmetric Volute and Underlying Mechanism for Centrifugal Fan[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 62(4): 400-412.

References

[1] CASTEGNARO S. Aerodynamic design of low-speed axial-flow fans：A historical overview[J]. Designs，2018，2(3)：20.
[2] 孔闯. 低压轴流风机叶片形状气动性能优化与降噪研究[D]. 杭州：浙江大学，2022. KDNG Chuang. The investigation on aerodynamic performance optimization and noise reduction of low-pressure axial-flow fan blade shape[D]. Hangzhou：Zhejiang University，2022.
[3] 李大江. 国内主要行业风机能耗现状以及节能措施的分析研究[J]. 风机技术，2019，61(S1)：1-6. LI Dajiang. Analysis and research on current situation and energy-saving measures of fan energy consumption in major domestic industries[J]. Chinese Journal of Turbomachinery，2019，61(S1)：1-6.
[4] MA Ruiyang，LIN Boqiang. Digitalization and energy-saving and emission reduction in chinese cities：Synergy between industrialization and digitalization[J]. Applied Energy，2023，345：121308.
[5] 成心德. 离心通风机[M]. 北京：化学工业出版社，2007. CHENG Xinde. Centrifugal fan[M]. Beijing：Chemical Industry Press，2007.
[6] 王维，李轩，卢金玲，等. 叶轮弧盘及锥盘型线对高比转速离心通风机性能的影响[J]. 农业工程学报，2018，34(24)：52-59. WANG Wei，LI Xuan，LU Jinling，et al. Effect of arc and taper plate impellers on performance of high specific speed centrifugal fan[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering，2018，34(24)：52-59.
[7] ABDELMADJID C，MOHAMED S A，BOUSSAD B. CFD Analysis of the volute geometry effect on the turbulent air flow through the turbocharger compressor[J]. Energy Procedia，2013，36：746-755.
[8] ANDREA T，FRANCESCO B，ALESSANDRO B，et al. An Investigation on the loss generation mechanisms inside different centrifugal compressor volutes for turbochargers[J]. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power，2019，141(2)：021004.
[9] LÜ Yukun，LÜ Zhengwei，ZHANG Bo，et al. Design of volute shape of centrifugal fans[J]. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers，Part A：Journal of Power and Energy，2016，230(2)：141-153.
[10] AYDER E，VAN D. Numerical analysis of the three-dimensional swirling flow in centrifugal compressor volutes[J]. Journal of Turbomachinery，1994，116(3)：462-468.
[11] HAGELSTEIN D，HILLEWAERT K，VAN D，et al. Experimental and numerical investigation of the flow in a centrifugal compressor volute[J]. Journal of Turbomachinery，1999，122(1)：22-31.
[12] WEI Yikun，WANG Jiajun，XU Jun，et al. Effects of inclined volute tongue structure on the internal complex flow and aerodynamic performance of the multi-blade centrifugal fan[J]. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics，2022，15(3)：901-916.
[13] 蒋博彦，肖千豪，杨筱沛，等. 多翼离心风机蜗壳小型化设计数值研究[J]. 机械工程学报，2021，57(9)：175-182. JIANG Boyan，XIAO Qianhao，YANG Xiaopei，et al. Numerical study on downsizing design of multi-blade centrifugal fan volute[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2021，57(9)：175-182.
[14] 李佳峻，王军，蒋博彦，等. 控制周向截面积分布的风机蜗壳优化设计方法[J]. 工程热物理学报，2018，39(12)：2665-2669. LI Jiajun，WANG Jun，JIANG Boyan，et al. An optimal design method for volute based on controlling the area distribution of circumferential cross section[J]. Journal of Engineering Thermophysics，2018，39(12)：2665-2669.
[15] 周水清，王曼，李哲宇，等. 多翼离心风机蜗壳改型设计与性能试验[J]. 农业机械学报，2018，49(10)：180-186，249. ZHOU Shuiqing，WANG Man，LI Zheyu，et al. Influence of volute retrofit design on performance of multi-blade centrifugal fan[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery，2018，49(10)：180-186，249.
[16] QIANG Jing，ZHANG Shuangsheng，LIU Hanhu，et al. A construction strategy of Kriging surrogate model based on Rosenblatt transformation of associated random variables and its application in groundwater remediation[J]. Journal of Environmental Management，2023，349：119555.
[17] Hammad A E，HAMEED M F O，OBAYYA S S A，et al. Mixed integer programming with kriging surrogate model technique for dispersion control of photonic crystal fibers[J]. Optical and Quantum Electronics，2023，56(1)：39.
[18] VÉLEZ A，GARCÍA J，ALCALÁ J，et al. Sustainable road infrastructure decision-making：Custom NSGA-II with repair operators for multi-objective optimization[J]. Mathematics，2024，12(5)：730.
[19] ZHANG Qingyan，LIU Junbo，SUN Haifeng，et al. Multi-objective and multi-solution source mask optimization using NSGA-II for more direct process window enhancement[J]. Optics Express，2024，32(4)：5301-5322.
[20] BIAN C，ZHANG Shaojie，YANG Jinguang，et al. Bayesian optimization design of inlet volute for supercritical carbon dioxide radial-flow turbine[J]. Machines，2021，9(10)：218.
[21] ZHOU Ling，HANG Jianwei，BAI Ling，et al. Application of entropy production theory for energy losses and other investigation in pumps and turbines：A review[J]. Applied Energy，2022，318：119-211.
[22] Kim J H，KIM K Y. Analysis and optimization of a vaned diffuser in a mixed flow pump to improve hydrodynamic performance[J]. Journal of Fluids Engineering，2012，134(7)：071104.
[23] 李伟，左志涛，侯虎灿，等. 基于遗传算法的离心压缩机蜗壳参数化及多目标优化[J]. 储能科学与技术，2021，10(3)：1071-1079. LI Wei，ZUO Zhitao，HOU Hucan，et al. Parameterization and multi-objective optimization of centrifugal compressor volute based on genetic algorithm[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology，2021，10(3)：1071-1079.
[24] 赵斌娟，仇晶，赵尤飞，等. 双流道泵蜗壳多目标多学科设计优化[J]. 农业机械学报，2015，46(12)：96-101，225. ZHAO Binjuan，CHOU Jing，ZHAO Youfei，et al. Multi-objective and multidisciplinary optimization of double-channel pump[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery，2015，46(12)：96-101，225.
[25] CADIRCI S，SELENBAS B，GUNES H. Optimization of a centrifugal fan impeller using Kriging simulated annealing，proceedings of the[C]//ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition，2011：991-997.
[26] MENG Fannian，ZHANG Zian，WANG Liangyuan. Volute optimization based on self-adaption Kriging surrogate model[J]. International Journal of Chemical Engineering，2022，2022：6799201.
[27] 王维，王伟超，张乐福，等. 端壁开缝改善轴流泵驼峰的机理[J]. 农业工程学报，2020，36(23)：12-20. WANG Wei，WANG Weichao，ZHANG Lefu，et al. Mechanism for end-wall slots to improve hump in an axial flow pump[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering，2020，36(23)：12-20.
[28] HASMATUCHI V. Hydrodynamics of a pump-turbine operating at off-design conditions in generating mode[D]. Lausanne：Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne，2011.
[29] 孙磊，张翰泽，汪方良，等. 基于大涡模拟的单头部贫油直喷燃烧室贫油熄火近场特性研究[J]. 推进技术，2025，46(3)：143-154. SUN Lei，ZHANG Hanze，WANG Fangliang，et al. Flow field near lean blowout in a single point lean direct injection combustor based on large eddy simulation[J]. Journal of Propulsion Technology，2025，46(3)：143-154.
[30] 阎子阳. G4-73离心通风机旋涡损失机理及蜗壳优化设计[D]. 西安：西安理工大学，2023. YANG Ziyang. Vortex loss mechanism and optimization design of volute for centrifugal fan G4-73[D]. Xi’an：Xi’an University of Technology，2023.
[31] 王维，楚武利，张皓光. 基于试验设计的高负荷轴流压气机叶顶喷气参数化研究[J]. 推进技术，2014，35(2)： 178-186. WANG Wei，CHU Wuli，ZHANG Haoguang. Parametric study of tip injection in a high-loaded axial compressor based on design of experiment[J]. Journal of Propulsion Technology，2014，35(2)：178-186.
[32] ZHANG Yuxing，XIE Shejuan，WEI Guo，et al. Multi-objective optimization for high-performance Fe-based metallic glasses via machine learning approach[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds，2023，960：170793.
[33] 刘超群. Liutex-涡定义和第三代涡识别方法[J]. 空气动力学学报，2020，38(3)：413-431，478. LIU Chaoqun. Liutex-third generation of vortex definition and identification methods[J]. Acta Aerodynamica Sinica，2020，38(3)：413-431，478.
[34] 肖美娜. 双吸式离心通风机非定常流动特性及旋转失速机理研究[D]. 杭州：浙江理工大学，2017. Xiao Meina. Investigation of unsteady flow characteristics and mechanism of rotating stall in a double suction centrifugal fan[D]. Hangzhou：Zhejiang Sci-Tech University，2017.