Experimental study on the aeroacoustic performance of an axial fan for HVAC

In the frame of the design process of a fan the prediction of the sound radiated from the rotor requires efficient and reliable numerical models. The model reliability requires to be proved by an extensive validation against experimental data, unfortunately scarcely available in the literature. The aim of the present paper is to ease this lack of knowledge providing to the scientific community an extensive experimental characterization of the aerodynamics and aeroacustics of an axial fan designed for industrial applications. The flow field past a 5 blades axial fan was measured by means of the planar Particle Image Velocimetry technique (2D-PIV), whereas the aeroacoustic measurements were performed in an anechoic chamber by means of a microphone array. The results of the experimental campaign are then used for the validation of CFD/CAA simulations.