Development and validation of a novel synthetic blade model for axial flow fans in unsteady CFD

Here we present a Synthetic Blade Model (SBM) for axial flow fans, derived from Actuator Disk and Actuator Line theories. This new approach is able to model the momentum exchange between the fan and the fluid by adding source terms into momentum equation, like an actuator disk. However, the model accounts for the position of the blades, their rotation and the non-uniform distribution of deflection capability in the blade-to-blade passage, like in an actuator line model. This approach is derived, described and validated against available data on a reversible tunnel and metro fan.