CFD simulations for selection of appropriate blade profile for improving energy efficiency in axial flow mine ventilation fans

Purpose
This study focuses on one of the key design aspects of mine ventilation fans, i.e. the selection of an appropriate aerofoil blade profile for the fan blades in order to enhance the energy efficiency of axial flow mine ventilation fans, using CFD simulations.
Methods
Computational simulations were performed on six selected typical aerofoil sections using CFD code ANSYS Fluent 6.3.26 at angles of attack varying from 0^o to 21^o at an interval of 3^o and at Reynolds number Re = 3 × 10⁶, and various aerodynamic parameters, viz. coefficients of lift (C_l) and drag (C_d) as a function of angle of attack (α) were determined to assess the efficiency of the aerofoils.
Results
The study revealed that the angle of attack has a significant effect on the lift and drag coefficients and stall condition occurred at α values of 12^o and 15^o in most of the aerofoils. Based on the criterion of higher lift to drag ratio (C_l/C_d), a blade profile was chosen as the most efficient one for mine ventilation fans.
Practical implications
This study forms a basis for selecting appropriate blade profiles for the axial flow fans used for ventilation in mining industry.
Originality/ value
The application of an appropriate aerofoil blade profile will impart energy efficiency to the mine ventilation fans and thereby result in energy saving in mine ventilation.