Impeller treatment for a centrifugal fan using splitter vanes - A CFD approach

In a centrifugal impeller the flow field is highly complex with flow reversal taking place on the suction side of impeller. Generally the performance of a centrifugal fan could be enhanced by introducing splitter vanes at judiciously selected locations. An extensive numerical whole field analysis on the effect of splitter vanes placed in discreet regions of suspected separation points is possible using CFD. This paper examines the effect of splitter vanes corresponding to various geometrical locations on the impeller. It is found that splitter vanes located at the impeller leading edge improves the static pressure recovery of the fan. However, splitters provided near to the trailing edge of the impeller adversely affect the static pressure recovery of the fan.