Influence of ceiling fan induced mass flow rate to create uniform temperature distribution in a closed room: A CFD investigation

Abstract

In the present work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigation of a newly developed fan blade of ceiling fan named “New Breeze” is carried out using CFD software ANSYS FLUENT. The moving reference frame technique and realizable k-ε model are used for numerical modeling. The analysis is carried out with blade having a lift angle of 6.5°, blade angle of 5.5°, twist angle of 4.5° and rotation speed of 320 rpm (revolution per minute). The profile of the blade is backward skewed type. The analysis for pressure-velocity coupling is done by SIMPLE algorithm. The k- ε equations which are used for spatial discretization of the momentum are second-order upwind, while first-order upwind are selected for the equation of energy and passive scalar. The aim is to determine the mass flow rate, velocity profile and total pressure of ceiling fan to measure the efficiency of the ceiling fan. Streamlines and contours are plotted to visualize the actual flow of air in a simulated test chamber. Finally, the result of simulation and that of experiment are compared. The mass flow rate of air at fan and closed chamber were 222.99 kg/s and 215 kg/s respectively.