Computation of Internal BPF Noise of Axial Circulating Fan in Refrigerators

Internal aeroacoustics of an axial fan used for circulating cold air in refrigerators are computed by using the hybrid method where CFD, acoustic analogy and BEM techniques are utilized. The unsteady flow field around the axial fan is predicted by solving the incompressible RANS equations with the conventional CFD techniques. Then, main noise sources are extracted from this unsteady flow field predictions using Acoustic Analogy. Lastly, BPF noise generated from an axial fan are predicted using these modeled sources combined with the tailed Green function techniques, which are numerically solved by the BEM technique. This hybrid model is validated by comparing the prediction with the experiment. Then, parameter studies are carried out, which suggest a capability of the current method as a design tool for the low-noise of the current axial fan system in a refrigerator.