Attenuation of Aeroacoustic Noise of a Typical Van Using Passive Devices through CFD Simulation

The present numerical analysis aims at studying the effect of changes in profile of van on aero-acoustic noise and aerodynamic drag. The numerical analysis is carried out using commercial CFD software, ANSYS Fluent, with k-epsilon & Large Eddy Simulation turbulence models. In present study five models of truck are analysed, including baseline model at different Reynolds numbers, namely 0.391, 0.415 and 0.457 million. In order to reduce the aero-acoustic noise, various profile modifications have been adapted on existing van model by adding a top and bottom diffuser at the rear of the truck. The comparison has been done with respect to coefficient of drag, coefficient of pressure, pressure contours for all four cases. It is observed from the simulation results among different modifications of truck, adding a top and bottom diffuser of 15 degrees at the rear end of truck gives the maximum reduction in aero-acoustic noise up to 9.4% and aerodynamic drag reduction of 3.8 % as compared to baseline model, at a speed of 81 km/h.