searching efficiency, but also it ensures randomness of individuals.The main conclusions of this investigation are summarised asfollows:1) The generalised ability of BPNN could be improved after initialweight and threshold optimisation by MEA. Furthermore,the prediction error of MEA-BPNN is 4.53 105lower than that of BPNN without optimisation.2) The novel range hood optimised by MEA-BPNN exhibitsexcellent separation performance compared to a multibladecentrifugal fan with a volute. The outer cylinder andGVE of the range hood are found to significantly affect particleseparation efficiency. They mainly separate grease particlesin the size range of 1–4 lm. The blades of the impellermainly separate grease particles with diameters in the rangeof 4–10 lm. The optimal parameters of the novel range hoodare b1 = 80, b2 = 176, hb = 0.180 m, Nb = 29, hg = 0.245 m,Ng = 7, and Ddif = 0.340 m.3) At orifice diameter 0.12 mm, the exhaust airflow rate of theoptimal novel range hood can reach 0.149 m3/s and the separationefficiency is higher than 85% for 1–10 lm particles.When 1 lm Dp 4 lm, the separation efficiency of theoptimal novel range hood is 87%, which is higher than thatof multi-blade centrifugal fans with volutes.