Validation of an advanced fan model with multiple reference frame approach

Electronic enclosures commonly use fans, including axial fans, impellers and centrifugal blowers, when cooling by forced convection is required. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of electronic enclosures have traditionally employed abstract fan models. These abstract fan models possess highly simplified fan geometries and numerical flow characteristics. The fan geometry is usually a rectangular or circular planar face with or without an inner concentric no-flow region representing the hub. The flow characteristics are typically summarized by a vendor supplied “pressure head-flow rate” (P-Q) curve, which, along with the continuity equation, is applied between the inlet and exhaust faces of the fan. It is generally expected that these fan curves are obtained through careful experimentation on laboratory apparatus conforming to test codes published by societies such as ASME and AMCA.