Evaluation of Inflow Uniformity on the Performance of Double-Inlet Centrifugal Blower Using Optimal Design Method

This paper presents the performance enhancement of a double-inlet centrifugal blower by the shape optimization of an inlet duct. Two design variables, a length of anti circulation vane and an angles of inlet guide, are introduced to improve the inlet flow uniformity leading to the blower performance. Three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are used to analyze the blower performance and the internal flow of the blower. From the shape optimization of the inlet duct of the double-inlet centrifugal blower, the optimal positions of each design variable are determined. Throughout the analysis of sensitivity, it is found that the angle of the inlet guide is more effective than the length of the anti-circulation vane to increase flow uniformity at the outlet of the duct. Efficiency and pressure for the optimal inlet duct shape are successfully increased up to 3.55% and 3.2% compared to those of reference blower at the design flow condition, respectively. Detailed flow field inside the blower is also analyzed and compared.