Experimental investigation of axial fan erosion and performance degradation

• Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part A, Journal of power and energy Vol. 218; no. 6; pp. 437 - 450
• Main Authors: Ghenaiet, A, Tan, S C, Elder, R L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.09.2004; Professionnal Engineering Publishing; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aerodynamic characteristics; Aerodynamics; Air conditioning. Ventilation; Applied sciences; Compressors; Degradation; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Erosion; Exact sciences and technology; Gas turbine engines; Heating, air conditioning and ventilation; Ingestion; Mechanical engineering; Performance degradation; Quartz; Sand; Simulation; Ventilation; sand particles; erosion; axial fan; laser transit anemometer; performance degradation; Fan; Aerodynamic characteristic; Performance; Bandwidth; Erosion
• ISSN: 0957-6509; 2041-2967
• DOI: 10.1243/0957650041761900

Abstract An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effects of sand ingestion on an axial fan with an upstream guide vane (contra-whirl). The experimental work was divided into two types of testing. Firstly, local injection tests were carried out to generate qualitative erosion patterns in order to validate a trajectory code. Secondly, global sand injection tests were carried out in order to assess the geometry deterioration and the subsequent degradation in the axial fan aerodynamic characteristics. Two types of particle were used; a narrow size bandwidth sand (150–300 μm) and MIL-E5007E sand (0–1000 μm). In all sand injection tests the fan operated near design point at a constant speed of rotation.