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Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan
Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2023
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| _version_ | 1867614113655422976 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Thiry, Cesar Cameron |
| author2 | Van der Spuy, Sybrand Johannes |
| author_browse | Thiry, Cesar Cameron Van der Spuy, Sybrand Johannes |
| author_facet | Van der Spuy, Sybrand Johannes Thiry, Cesar Cameron |
| author_sort | Thiry, Cesar Cameron |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2023. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/127140 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:52.985Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publishDateRange | 2023 |
| publishDateSort | 2023 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/127140 Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan Thiry, Cesar Cameron Van der Spuy, Sybrand Johannes Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Heat exchangers -- Fluid dynamics Blades -- Testing Steam power plants Condensers (Steam) -- Cooling UCTD Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2023. ENGLISH SUMMARY: In direct dry-cooled power plants, axial flow fan arrays form part of the air-cooled steam condenser (ACC). These axial flow fans are essential for the optimal operation of the power generation cycle. Compromised fan performance results in reduced air flow, reduced heat transfer capability of the steam condenser and consequently reduces the electricity output of the power plant. Full-scale experiments are often impractical, expensive due to the size of aircooled condensers. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is therefore used to develop an accurate and reliable numerical model of the air-cooled condenser (ACC). The Actuator Disk Model (ADM) is used for the simulation of axial fan arrays in order to reduce the computational power required. The M-fan was designed for application in ACCs used in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. The simulation of the M-fan is compared to the experimental data of the MinWaterCSP project and simulation data obtained from previous projects. The 3D M-fan simulation is used to extract velocity data of the M-fan running at its operating point. The velocity data is further used for a 2D simulation of the airfoil in order to analyse the surface pressure distribution on the fan blade. Information about the local flow- and surface pressure distribution on the fan blades allows for numerical validation and a better understanding of the installed fan performance. The objective of the experimental work is to measure the surface pressure on the 24 ft diameter M-fan's blades. The research aims to draw a comparison between the experimental surface pressure measurements of the Mfan blade and the results of the CFD simulation. Piezoresistive absolute pressure sensors are connected to an Arduino microcontroller and an XBee telemetry setup to record the surface pressure. The experimental method is firstly validated in a small wind tunnel test facility using a mounted airfoil to compare relative surface pressure values between the piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor and a Betz manometer. Accuracy in the order of 3% was achieved, demonstrating that the piezoresistive pressure sensor system is an accurate and reliable pressure sensing system. Finally the 2D surface pressure data from the CFD was compared to the experimentally determined surface pressure of the M-fan measured in the MinWaterCSP facility. An accuracy of 5% was obtained, which confirms the reliability and accuracy of the chosen experimental method of surface pressure measurement on axial flow fan blades. The agreement between the experimental and the CFD results provides an improved understanding of the local flow distribution in the vicinity of axial flow fans installed in air-cooled condensers. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aksiaalwaaiermatrikse vorm deel van die lugverkoelde stoomkondensors (LVKs) in direkte droe-verkoelde kragsentrales. Hierdie aksiaalwaaiers is noodsaaklik vir die optimale werking van die energie-opwekkingsiklus. 'n Vermindering in die lugvloei lei tot 'n vermindering in die hitte oordragvermoe van die stoomkondensor en 'n gevolglike vermindering van die kragsentrale se elektrisiteitsproduksie. Volskaalse eksperimente is dikwels onprakties, duur as gevolg van die grootte van lugverkoelde kondensors. Berekeningsvloeimeganika (BVM) word dus gebruik om 'n akkurate en betroubare numeriese model van die lugverkoelde kondensor te ontwikkel. Die aksieskyfmodel (ASM) word gebruik vir die simulasie van aksiaalwaaiermatrikse om sodoende die rekenkrag te verminder. Die M-waaier is ontwikkel vir toepassing in LVKs wat gebruik word in gekonsentreerde sonkragsentrales. Die simulasie van die M-waaier word vergelyk met die eksperimentele data van die MinWaterCSP projek en simulasie data verkry uit vorige projekte. Die 3D M-waaier simulasie word gebruik om snelheidsdata van die M-waaier wat by sy werkspunt loop, te onttrek. Die snelheidsdata word verder gebruik vir ʼn 2D simulasie van die lugvleuel om sodoende die oppervlakdrukverspreiding van die waaierlem te analiseer. Inligting oor die plaaslike vloei- en oppervlakdrukverspreiding op die waaierlemme laat toe vir numeriese validasie en 'n beter begrip van die geinstalleerde waaierwerking. Die doel van die eksperimentele werk is om die oppervlakdruk van die 24 voet deursnee M-waaier se lem, te meet. Die navorsingsdoelwit is om 'n vergelyking te trek tussen die eksperimentele oppervlakdrukmetings van die waaierlem en die resultate van die CFD simulasie. Piezoresistiewe absolute druk sensors is verbind met 'n Arduino mikrobeheerder en 'n XBee telemetrie opstelling om die oppervlakdruk te meet. Die eksperimentele metode word eerstens gevalideer in 'n klein windtonnel met behulp van 'n gemonteerde lugvleuel om relatiewe oppervlak-drukwaardes tussen die piezoresistive absolute druk sensor en 'n Betz-manometer te vergelyk. Akkuraatheid in die orde van 3% was behaal met die gevolgtrekking dat die piezoresistiewe druksensorstelsel 'n akkurate en betroubare druk waarnemingstelsel is. Laastens was die 2D-oppervlakdrukdata van die BVM vergelyk met die eksperimentele oppervlakdruk van die M-waaier gemeet in die MinWaterCSP fasiliteit. 'n Akkuraatheid van 5% is verkry, wat die betroubaarheid en akkuraatheid van die gekose eksperimentele metode van oppervlakdrukmeting op aksiale vloeiwaaierlemme bevestig. Die ooreenstemming tussen die eksperimentele- en BVM resultate bied ʼn verbeterde begrip van die plaaslike vloeiverspreiding in die omgewing van aksiaalwaaiers geinstalleer in lugverkoelde kondensors. Masters 2023-03-02T12:12:15Z 2023-05-18T07:06:15Z 2023-03-02T12:12:15Z 2023-05-18T07:06:15Z 2023-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/127140 en_ZA Stellenbosch University xvii, 117 pages : illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Heat exchangers -- Fluid dynamics Blades -- Testing Steam power plants Condensers (Steam) -- Cooling UCTD Thiry, Cesar Cameron Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title | Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title_full | Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title_fullStr | Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title_short | Measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| title_sort | measuring the installed performance of the 24 ft diameter minwatercsp fan |
| topic | Heat exchangers -- Fluid dynamics Blades -- Testing Steam power plants Condensers (Steam) -- Cooling UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/127140 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thirycesarcameron measuringtheinstalledperformanceofthe24ftdiameterminwatercspfan |