Thermal evolution of a fan submitted to high temperature in a confined environment

The present work describes a complete numerical study of the thermal evolution carried out for a ventilation fan. The results are compared with the measurements made on a prototype. The numerical study based on the finite volume method is completed by an analytical work intended for examining the thermal resistance in the contacts between the pieces of the machine. The objective of this applied study is to understand the performance of the machine throughout its operation in a very adverse environment. It is the case of its utilization in forced convection in the industrial furnaces at high temperature or the extraction of fume at the time of a fire in tunnels. In this last case, the extractor must work under controlled flow at least for $2$ hours at $400^{\circ}$C, to allow the rescue services to intervene and evacuate people and goods. The results of this study provide solutions for the dimensioning and manufacturing of these machines which must meet very strict standards of resistance.