Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Design Optimization of an Air Conditioning Condenser Fan
Proposal for Master Thesis in Aerospace Engineering
Supervisor: Andr´e C. Marta, CCTAE, IDMEC andre.marta@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
September 2019
Goals
The air-conditioner (AC) condenser fan is a blower that moves outdoor air across the condensing coil found in the outdoor compressor unit. This air flow removes heat from the high pressure and temperature refrigerant fluid inside the condensing coil and allows it to condense from gas back to liquid.
The objective of this proposal is to perform the multidisciplinary design optimization of the blades of an AC condenser fan, in close collaboration with a world leading manu- facturer.
The student should build competences in the area of numerical simulation, both aero- dynamics, heat transfer and acoustics, to allow for the simulation and evaluation of the fan performance with different blade geometries.
An existing aero-acoustic analysis tool will be used, being the problem specific re- quirements in terms of heat transfer added to it. Once the adaptation of the tool is complete, analyses and optimization exercises of multi-disciplinary and multi-objective problems will be made.
In the end, it should be possible to define a family of fan blades with simultaneously high aerodynamic performance and low noise generation, while satisfying heat transfer constraints.
Tasks
To meet the goals proposed, the work should be composed of the following main tasks:
• Bibliography Review
Literature research about air-conditioners (including impact of noise), aerodynam- ics, heat transfer and acoustic simulation models, and optimization methods (mul- tidisciplinary and multi-objective).
Estimated time: 4 weeks.
• Problem Definition
Detailed definition of the problem, including mathematical formulation of the aero- thermo-acoustic optimization problem, with definition of objectives, constraints and design variables.
Estimated time: 2 weeks.
• Parametrization of Air-conditioner Fan
Definition of the geometric parameters to define the external shape of the blades of the fan. Development of a numerical tool to generate the computational aerody- namic meshes.
Estimated time: 2 weeks.
• Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Model and Tool
Familiarization and test of the aeroacoustic analysis tool using a set of validation test cases. Adaptation of the tool to handle the specific problem requirements.
Estimated time: 8 weeks.
• Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Analysis
Application of the adapted analysis framework to obtain the reference values of the baseline fan blade aerodynamic, heat transfer and acoustic performance.
Estimated time: 3 weeks.
• Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Optimization
Using an available optimization tool coupled to the analysis framework, perform a set of multidisciplinary optimizations to maximize aerodynamic performance and minimize generated noise of the fan blades, while satisfying heat transfer require- ments. Generation of Pareto fronts for multi-objective cases (e.g., different operat- ing conditions).
Estimated time: 6 weeks.
• Thesis Write-up
Write-up of the dissertation thesis and corresponding oral presentation support material. The different technical topics covered should be described in detail, and a rigorous presentation is expected, both in visual and verbal terms, in a document logically structured.
Estimated time: 5 weeks.
Requirements
The proposed work requires knowledge covered in courses such as:
• Fluid Mechanics
• Heat Transfer
• Aeroacoustics
• Aerodynamics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Optimization and Decision
The list mentioned is only illustrative of the scientific content of the work to be executed, it does not represent mandatory requirements. As such, the student that shows interest in this proposal is advised to previously discuss it with the supervisor.
Localization
IST (campus Alameda) or other location to be defined.
Observations
The student is strongly encouraged to start documenting his work since the first day.
The recommended language for writing the dissertation is English.
Curriculum
• MEAer - branch of Aircrafts
Calendar
The work to be developed has an estimated duration of six months, in accordance to the present curricular plan at IST. During that period, the student is expected to meet on a regular basis with the supervisor for follow up and discussion of ideas.
The student has full autonomy to manage his time in the way it suits him best, however a calendar is suggested according to the tasks described previously.
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Bibliography Review
Problem Definition
Parametrization of Fan
Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Model
Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Analysis
Aero-Thermo-Acoustic Optimization
Thesis Write-up
Table1:ProposedCalendar.
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