Determination of Optimum Outlet Slit Thickness and Outlet Angle for the Bladeless Fan Using the CFD Approach

Abstract

Bladeless fans are more energy efficient, safer due to the hidden blades, easier to clean, and more adjustable than conventional fans. This paper investigates the influence of the airfoil’s outlet slit thickness on the discharge ratio by varying the outlet slit thickness of an Eppler 473 airfoil from 1.2 mm to 2 mm in intervals of 0.2 mm by using a k-omega SST turbulence model with an all y+ wall treatment used to numerically simulate in CFD. The computational results indicated that smaller slits showed higher discharge ratios. The airfoil with a 1.2 mm slit thickness showed a discharge ratio of 18.78, a 24% increase from the discharge ratio of the 2 mm slit. The effect of outlet angle on the pressure drop across the airfoil was also studied. Outlet angles were varied from 16° to 26° by an interval of 2°. The airfoil profile with a 24° outlet angle showed a maximum pressure difference of 965 Pa between the slit and leading edge. In contrast, the 16° outlet angle showed the least pressure difference of 355 Pa. Parameters such as average velocity (U), turbulent kinetic energy, the standard deviation of velocity, and outlet velocity magnitude are used to assess the performance of airfoil profiles used in bladeless fan.