Abstract

FEROZE, T.  and  GENC, B.. Analysis of the effect of ducted fan system variables on ventilation in an empty heading using CFD. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2017, vol.117, n.2, pp.157-167. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2017/v117n2a7.

The effect of some of the system variables in forcing and exhausting ducted fan systems on ventilation in an empty heading was investigated using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) and comparative analyses. The diameter of the duct, duct mouth to face distance, and the power of the fan (quantity delivered by the fan) were varied and their effect on ventilation determined through a comparative analysis of the flow rates calculated close to the face of the heading. Estimation models were developed, which can be used to calculate the flow rate close to the face of the empty heading for different settings of the system variables studied. The study showed that recirculation for a forcing ducted fan system can be reduced by increasing the duct diameter or increasing the duct mouth to face distance. For the exhausting ducted fan system, higher flow rates were achieved by reducing the duct mouth to face distance, and increasing the fan design flow rate and duct diameter. The outcomes of this investigation will help ventilation engineers in deciding the optimum duct fan system required for sufficient ventilation.

Keywords : ducted fan; ventilation; CFD.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )