Reverse modeling and CFD simulation of vortex blower used in fuel cell cars

One application of vortex blowers is to provide compressed air for fuel cell stack in fuel cell cars developed by Tongji University. However, it produces too much noise; therefore, it needs to analyze its flow field to study the mechanism of noise generation. In this article a complete CAD model of the vortex blower was first established by means of reverse engineering and its basic geometric parameters of the flow channel was obtained. Then the CAD model was processed and a suitable flow field mesh model for CFD simulation was established. By setting reasonable boundary conditions, the flow distribution and pressure fluctuations in the channel were obtained and the harmonic frequencies of noise were analyzed.