Optimization and numerical analysis of air flow in an empty cell with perforated diffusers featuring cut-cone geometries designed for air handling units
Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, cilt.112, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 112
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2026.103524
- Dergi Adı: Flow Measurement and Instrumentation
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Air conditioning unit, Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Perforated diffuser, Pressure drop
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study numerically investigated perforated diffusers with truncated cone profiles of different geometries to achieve a more homogeneous airflow distribution and reduce total pressure loss in the empty cell located after the fan outlet of the air conditioning unit. The diffuser body geometry was considered at three levels: flat truncated cone, concave truncated cone, and convex truncated cone; while the hole geometry was considered as cylindrical, square, and hexagonal. The taper angle parameter was selected as 60°, 80°, and 100°. Numerical analyses were performed in ANSYS Fluent for air flow; an inlet velocity of 8.2 m/s was defined at an inlet cross-section of 600 × 600 mm, and a pressure outlet of 700 Pa was defined at an outlet cross-section of 1200 × 1200 mm; the standard k-ε approach was used as the turbulence model. The obtained pressure loss results were evaluated using the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array to determine the optimal design that provides minimum pressure loss. The results showed that the pressure loss increased as the taper angle increased in all diffuser types; the hole and body geometry were decisive for both pressure loss and velocity/pressure distribution. As a result of optimization, the combination of a 60° taper angle, concave truncated cone body, and square holes was determined to be the optimal design, providing the lowest pressure loss (ΔP = 36,255 Pa).