Flow distortions at the fan inlet of forced-draught air-cooled heat exchangers

The effect of inlet flow distortions on fan performance in forced-draught air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs) is investigated numerically and experimentally. By varying the distance between the ACHE fan platform and the ground level, significant changes in air volume flow rate are observed. Three different fan inlet shrouds are considered and recommendations towards designing and evaluating the performance of an ACHE are made. The effect of different lengths of a cylindrical fan inlet shroud, as well as the effect of cylindrical sections as part of a conical and a bell-mouth inlet shroud, is also investigated. The results show that a critical length for both the cylindrical inlet shroud and the cylindrical sections of the conical and bell-mouth inlet shrouds can be obtained for optimal fan performance.