Parametric Study and Optimization of Ceiling Fan Blades for Improved Aerodynamic Performance

This paper includes parametric study and optimization of nonlinear ceiling fan blades by combining the techniques of Design of Experiments (DOE), Response Surface Methods (RSM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Specifically, the nonlinear (elliptical) planform shape of ceiling fan blade is investigated in conjunction with blade tip width, root and tip angle of attack. Sixteen cases are designed for three blade ceiling fan using two level full factorial model. The flow field is modeled using ReynoldsAveragedNavierStokes approach. The performance variables used to formulate a multiobjective optimization problem are volumetric flow rate, torque and energy efficiency. Response Surface Method is used to generate the optimized design for nonlinear ceiling fan blade profile. The results reveal that the interactions between the design variables play a significant role in determining the performance. It is concluded that the nonlinear forward sweep has a moderate effect on response parameters.