Design of axial fan using inverse design method

The axial fans for cooling condensers were designed by inverse design code TURBOdesign-1. The parameters of the inverse design were set by DOE (design of experiments). By changing the design parameters, such as the distribution of the blade loading, spanwise circulation distribution and stacking, 32 different fan designs were created for the screening of parameters. The overall performance and the local flow field of these fans were computed using a commercial CFD code. The results of the CFD computations were analyzed by DOE. The pressure rise and efficiency were selected as the main responses, and the main effects of the design parameters on the responses were discussed. The main design parameters for the optimum design of the fan were decided from the results of the screening procedure. We designed the optimum axial fan by RSM (response surface method). The design center fan was made by RP (rapid prototype) and the performance was tested using a fan tester based on AMCA standards. These procedures ensured proper screening of parameters and optimum design of the axial fan.