Numerical Optimization for Performance Improvement of a Tunnel Ventilation Jet fan

This paper presents an optimization procedure for performance improvement of a tunnel ventilation jet fan. Optimization techniques based on response surface approximation (RSA) are employed to improve the aerodynamic performance of a tunnel ventilation jet fan. For numerical analysis, three-dimensional Renolds- averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with shear stress transport turbulence model are discretized by using finite volume approximations and solved on hexahedral grids to evaluate the total efficiency at the operating condition as the objective function. Four geometric variables defining the meridional length and the thickness profile at the hub and shroud in the jet fan rotor are selected as design variables for the numerical optimization. The results of the numerical optimization show that the total efficiency of the optimized model is significantly improved in comparison with the base model.