Large Eddy Simulation of a Tunnel Ventilation Fan

Abstract

In this paper we discuss a computational method focused on the prediction of unsteady aerodynamics, adequate for industrial turbomachinery. Here we focus on a single rotor device selected from a new family of large tunnel ventilation axial flow fans. The flow field in the fan was simulated using the open source code OpenFOAM, with a largeeddy simulation (LES) approach. The subgrid scale (SGS) closure relied on a oneequation model, that requires us to solve a differential transport equation for the modeled SGS turbulent kinetic energy. The use of such closure was here considered as a remedial strategy in LES of highReynolds industrial flows, being able to tackle the otherwise insufficient resolution of turbulence spectrum. The results show that LES of the fan allows to predict the pressure rise capability of the fan and to reproduce the most relevant flow features, such as threedimensional separation and secondary flows.