Turbulent model validations with CFD/wind tunnel test and application to statistical energy analysis for wind noise prediction
Time: 7:40 pm
Author: KAI AIZAWA
Abstract ID: 1330
Wind noise is becoming to have a higher priority in automotive industry. Several past studies investigated whether SEA can be utilized to predict wind noise by applying a turbulent spectrum model as the input. However, there are many kinds of turbulent models developed and the appropriate model for input to SEA is still unclear. Due to this, this paper focuses on clarifying an appropriate turbulent model for SEA simulation. First, the input turbulent pressure spectrum from five models are validated with wind tunnel tests and CFD. Next, a conventional numerical approach is used to validate models from the aspect of response accuracy. Finally, turbulent models are applied to an SEA model developed for a wind tunnel, and the SEA response is validated with test data. From those input/response validations, an appropriate turbulent model is investigated.
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Computationally efficient source grid selection and source interpolation in computational aeroacoustics applied to an axial fan.
Time: 8:00 am
Author: Andreas Wurzinger
Abstract ID: 1666
The noise generation of an axial fan is mainly caused by flow-induced noise and can therefore be extracted from its aeroacoustics. To do so, a hybrid approach separating flow and acoustics is well suited due to its low Mach number. Such a computationally efficient hybrid workflow requires a robust conservative mesh-to-mesh transformation of the acoustic sources as well as a suitable mesh refinement to guarantee good convergence behavior. This contribution focuses on the mesh-to-mesh transformation, comparing two interpolation algorithms of different complexity towards the applicability to the aeroacoustic computation of an axial fan. The basic cell-centroid approach is generally suited for fine computational acoustic (CA) meshes and low phase shift, while the more complex cut-volume method generally yields better results for coarse acoustic meshes. While the cell-centroid interpolation scheme produces source artifacts inside the propagation domain, a grid study using the grid convergence index shows monotonic convergence behavior for both interpolation methods. By selection of a proper size for the source grid and source interpolation algorithm, the computational effort of the experimentally validated simulation model could be reduced by a factor 4.06.
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Implementation of Direct Acoustic Simulation using ANSYS Fluent
Time: 8:40 pm
Author: Dennis Huang
Abstract ID: 1787
Direct Acoustic Simulation (DAS) is a powerful Computational Aero Acoustics method that obtains hydrodynamic and acoustic solutions simultaneously by solving compressible Navier-Stokes equation together with state equation of ideal gas. Thus, DAS has advantages for cases with flow acoustic coupling and high Mach numbers (). With an increasing demand of massive-scale calculations, a robust numerical solver for DAS is required. ANSYS Fluent is a suitable CFD platform with proven robustness. However, there is no direct implementation of DAS in the current version of ANSYS Fluent. The present study, therefore, aims to investigate an approach for implementing DAS using ANSYS Fluent. Given the acoustic part of fluctuations is much smaller than the hydrodynamic part in amplitude, a DAS solver requires high accuracy and low dissipation. Based on these needs, proper solution methods, spatial discrete methods and boundary conditions are firstly determined through simple calculations of two dimensional propagating plane waves. Afterwards aeroacoustics of a two-dimensional cavity flow at 0.6 is calculated to verify the capability for solving separating flow with the aforementioned set-up. Finally, aeroacoustics of a cylindrical bluff body at a turbulent regime and 0.2 is calculated in three-dimensions to verify the capability for solving turbulent flow using Monotonically Integrated Large Eddy Simulation.
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Numerical simulations of flow induced noise from a dual rotor cooling fan used in electronic cooling systems
Time: 7:40 am
Author: Sahan Wasala
Abstract ID: 1809
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) system enclosures in a data center require effective cooling systems to avoid HDD overheating. These systems often rely on air cooling because of their cost efficiency and maintainability. Air cooling systems typically consist of an array of axial fans which push or pull the air through the system. These fans emit high level tonal noise particularly at high tip-speed ratios (TSR). High-capacity HDDs, on the other hand, are sensitive to high acoustic noise, which consequently increases the risk of read/write error and deteriorates drive performance. Therefore, cooling fan noise adversely affects the function of the HDD enclosure systems and emphasizes the need to understand the noise sources and develop methods to mitigate HDD noise exposure. This study focuses on understanding the aerodynamic properties and related aeroacoustic behavior of a contra-rotating fan representative of the types used in a modern data center cooling system. A numerical investigation was conducted using high fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) acoustic analogy, as well as using experimentally measured acoustic data as a validation. Initial simulation results showed a good agreement with the experimental data and led to a better understanding of noise directivity.
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Two-step computational aeroacoustics approach for underhood cooling fan application
Time: 7:20 pm
Author: Parag Chaudhari
Abstract ID: 2467
Aeroacoustic noise is one of the important characteristics of the fan design. Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) can provide better design options without relying on physical prototypes and reduce the development time and cost. There are two ways of performing CAA analysis; one-step and two-step approach. In one-step CAA, air flow and acoustic analysis are carried out in a single software. In two-step approach, air flow and acoustic analysis are carried out in separate software. Two-step CAA approach can expedite the calculation process and can be implemented in larger and complex domain problems. For the work presented in this paper, a mockup of an underhood cooling fan was designed. The sound pressure levels were measured for different installation configurations. The sound pressure level for one of the configurations was calculated with two-step approach and compared with test data. The compressible fluid flow field was first computed in a commercially available computational fluid dynamics software. This flow field was imported in a separate software where fan noise sources were computed and further used to predict the sound pressure levels at various microphone locations. The results show an excellent correlation between test and simulation for both tonal and broadband components of the fan noise.
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Design of axial flow fans for reduced noise and improved efficiency
Time: 7:20 am
Author: Erika Quaranta
Abstract ID: 2481
Axial flow fans are used in a wide variety of applications, from cooling systems for electronics to ventilation in buildings. Whatever the application, there will be competing design constraints which make it difficult to achieve the required pressure-flow performance characteristic, within a specified space envelope, whilst meeting a target aerodynamic efficiency and noise level. This paper describes a design methodology for optimizing aerodynamic performance and noise. It is based on use of a semi-analytic 2-D design tool for preliminary predictions and design, combined with a 3-D numerical CFD analysis to visualize the flow. Both models can be extended to the design of multi-stage systems. The 2-D model predicts the flow velocity at the trailing edge of the blades for each point on the fan performance curve, which is then used to estimate self-noise characteristics of the rotor using a classical model of airfoil trailing edge noise. The CFD analysis provides detailed validation of assumed airfoil characteristics, including the effect of 3D design features such as blade sweep, and confirms the flow and aerodynamic efficiency predictions; it can also used to estimate parameters such as turbulence intensity that is a key driver for the noise level.
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Numerical and experimental investigation into effects of tip-rake shape of axial-flow fan on its flow and noise performances
Time: 7:00 am
Author: Seo Yoon Ryu
Abstract ID: 2667
As the potential of computational resources dramatically increases, the so-called computer-aided engineering readily replaces experiment-based engineering in related industrial fields. In this study, the virtual fan flow and acoustic performance testers are developed using the RANS solvers and the acoustic analogy. Two types of forward-curved centrifugal fans are selected for numerical and experimental investigations into its flow and acoustic performances. First, to experimentally evaluate the performances of the centrifugal fan units, their P-Q curves and sound power levels are measured using a fan flow performance tester and a semi-anechoic chamber, respectively. Second, the virtual fan flow and acoustic performance testers are constructed using the RANS solvers and the acoustic analogy based on the FW-H equation and CFD method. The validity of the current virtual methods is confirmed by comparing the prediction results with the measured ones. During the validation, the effects of the wall functions, y+ distribution, and turbulence models on predicted flow performance accuracy are closely examined. The effects of the integral surfaces used for the computation of the FW-H equations are also assessed on the predicted spectral levels of sound pressure.
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Investigation into effects of side-window rubber sealer on cabin interi-or noise due to external flow disturbances of vehicle
Time: 8:20 pm
Author: Sangheon Lee
Abstract ID: 2675
Electric vehicles' rapid commercialization increases the relative importance of wind noise, especially for cabin interior noise. In this study, systematic numerical methods are developed to assess the wind noise insulation performance of side-window rubber seals in a design stage. First, the simplified automotive cabin model (SACM) is constructed to test the rubber seals' sound insulation performance due to external flow disturbance generated by jet flow. The pressure signals due to the jet flow are measured inside and outside the SACM. The difference between the two signals is used as sound insulation performance criteria, so-called insertion loss (IL). Second, a numerical methodology is developed to predict the IL. The surface pressure field on the side window due to jet flow is predicted by using the high-accurate Lattice Boltzmann Method. The predicted surface pressure fluctuations are applied as input load causing side-window vibration. The interior sound is then computed by using the calculated window vibration as input. The validity of numerical methods is confirmed by comparing the predicted results with the measured ones. Finally, the present methods' ability as a design tool is confirmed by comparing the IL of the pad-added rubber seal with that of the regular seal.
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Wake-body interaction Noise Simulations by Coupling CFD and BEM
Time: 8:00 pm
Author: Masaaki Mori
Abstract ID: 3067
In many engineering applications, the wake-body interaction or body-vortex interaction (BVI) occurs. In the wake-body interaction, vortices shed from an upstream obstacle interact with downstream obstacle and generate noise, for example blades in a turbomachinery, tubes in a heat exchanger, rotating blades like a helicopter and wind turbine and so on. The rod-airfoil and airfoil-airfoil configurations are typical models for the wake-body interaction. A rod and an airfoil are immersed upstream of the airfoil. In this paper, we reviewed the noise mechanism generated by the wake-body interaction and show the numerical results obtained by the coupling method using commercial CFD and acoustic BEM codes. The results shows that depending on the spacing between the rod or airfoil and the airfoil, the flow patterns and noise radiation vary. With small spacing, the vortex shedding from the upstream obstacle is suppressed and it results in the suppression of the sound generation. With large spacing, the shear layer or the vortices shed from the upstream obstacle impinge on the downstream obstacle and it results in the large sound generation. The dominant peak frequency of the generated sound varies with increasing of the spacing between the two obstacles.
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