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BLOWERS
WHAT IS A FAN?
Any device that produces a current of air
by the movement of broad surfaces can be
called a fan.
Turning Vanes
(typically used on
short radius
Outlet elbows)
Diffusers
Heat
Exchanger
Baffles
Filter Inlet
Vanes
Motor
Controller
Centrifugal Variable Frequency
Fan Belt Drive Drive
Motor
PARTS:
Fans are classified according to the
direction of flow through the impeller:
Disadvantages
Suited for low/medium airflow rates only
CENTRIFUGAL FANS FORWARD CURVED
Advantages
Large air volumes against low pressure
Relative small size
Low noise level
Disadvantages
Not high pressure / harsh service
Difficult to adjust fan output
Careful driver selection
Low energy efficiency 55-65%
CENTRIFUGAL FANS - BACKWARD-INCLINED
Advantages
Operates with changing
static pressure
Suited for high flow and forced draft services
Efficiency >85%
Disadvantages
Not suited for dirty airstreams
Instability and erosion risk
AXIAL FANS
Disadvantages
Low energy efficiency
Noisy
AXIAL FANS VANE AXIAL FANS
Advantages
Suited for medium/high pressures
Quick acceleration
Suited for direct motor shaft connection
Most energy efficient 85%
Disadvantages
Expensive
AXIAL FANS TUBE AXIAL FANS
Advantages
High pressures to overcome duct losses
Suited for medium-pressure, high airflow rates
Quick acceleration
Space efficient
Disadvantages
Expensive
Moderate noise
Low energy efficiency 65%
Typical Applications and Characteristics
Typical Typical
Type Characteristics Type Characteristics
Applications Applications
Various industrial
Low pressure, high flow, low Air High pressure, medium flow,
applications,
efficiency, peak efficiency circulation, efficiency close to tube axial
Propeller Radial suitable for dust
close to point of free air ventilation, fans, power increases
laden, moist
delivery (zero static pressure) exhaust continuously
air/gases
Medium pressure, high flow, Medium pressure, high flow, Low pressure
HVAC,
Tube higher efficiency than dip in pressure curve, HVAC, packaged
drying ovens, Forward
propeller type, dip in pressure efficiency higher than radial units, suitable for
axial exhaust Curved Blades
-flow curve before peak fans, power rises clean and dust
systems
pressure point continuously laden air/gases
High
pressure High pressure, high flow, HVAC, various
High pressure, medium flow,
Vane applications high efficiency, power industrial
dip in pressure-flow curve, Backward
including reduces as flow increases applications,
axial use of guide vanes improves Curved Blades
HVAC beyond point of highest forced draft fans,
efficiency
systems, efficiency etc
exhaust
TYPES OF BLOWERS
Difference with fans
Much higher pressures <1.20 kg/cm2
Used to produce negative pressures for industrial
vacuum systems
Types
Centrifugal blower
Positive displacement
CENTRIFUGAL BLOWERS
Gear-driven impeller that
accelerates air
Single and multi-stage
blowers
Operate at 0.35-0.70
kg/cm2 pressure
Airflow drops if system
pressure rises
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT BLOWERS
Rotors trap air and push it through housing
Constant air volume regardless of system
pressure
Suited for applications prone to clogging
Turn slower than centrifugal blowers
Belt-driven for speed changes
ASSESSMENT OF FANS
AND BLOWERS
FAN LAWS
FAN EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE
Fan efficiency:
Ratio of the power conveyed to air stream
and power delivered by the motor to the fan
Depends on type of fan and impeller
BEST EFFICIENCY POINT (BEP)
Peak
Type of Fan Efficiency
Range
Centrifugal fans:
Airfoil, Backward a79-83
curved/inclined
Modified radial 72-79
Radial 69-75
Pressure blower 58-68
Forward curved 60-65
Axial fans:
Vane axial 78-85
Tube axial 67-72
Propeller 45-50
To calculate for fan efficiency:
Measure first operating parameters:
- Air velocity, pressure head, air stream temp, electrical
motor input
Check :
- Fan is operating at rated speed
- Operations are at stable condition
STEPS IN CALCULATING FAN EFFICIENCY
1. Calculate air/gas density Where:
t = Temperature of air/gas at
site condition
Air kW
Combined Efficiency = ------------ x 100
Input kW
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
OPPORTUNITIES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
Check periodically
Check after system
modifications
Reduce where
possible
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
Radial
Airfoil, Backward 79-83
curved/inclined
Modified radial 72-79
Radial 69-75
Tubular
Pressure blower 58-68
Forward curved 60-65
Axial fans:
Forward
Vane axial 78-85
Tube axial 67-72
Flow rate
Propeller 45-50
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
Disadvantages
Fan must handle capacity change
Only applicable if V-belt system or motor
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
b) Dampers: reduce flow and increase
upstream pressure
Advantages
Inexpensive
Easy to install
Disadvantages
Limited adjustment
Reduce flow but not energy consumption
Higher operating and maintenance costs
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
c) Inlet guide vanes
Create swirls in fan direction
Reduce angle air and fan blades
Lowering fan load, pressure, air flow
Advantages
Improve efficiency: reduced load and airflow
Cost effective at 80-100% of full air flow
Disadvantage
Less efficient at <80% of full air flow
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
d) Variable pitch fans: changes angle
incoming airflow and blades
Advantages
High efficiency at range of operating conditions
No resonance problems
No stall problems at different flows
Disadvantages
Applicable to axial fans only
Risk of fouling problems
Reduced efficiency at low loads
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
e) Variable speed drives (VSDs): reduce
fan speed and air flow
Two types
Mechanical VSDs
Electrical VSDs (including VFDs)
Advantages
Most improved and efficient speed control
Speed adjustments over continuous range
Disadvantages
Need to jump from speed to speed
High investment costs
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
g) Disc throttle:
Sliding throttle that changes width of
impeller exposed to air stream
Advantages
Simple design
Disadvantages
Feasible in some applications only
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
h) Operate more fans in parallel (instead
of one large fan)
Advantages
High efficiencies at varying demand
Risk of downtime avoided
Less expensive and better performance than
one large fan
Can be equipped with other flow controls
Disadvantages
Only suited for low resistance system
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
i) Operate fans in series
Advantages
Lower average duct pressure
Less noise
Lower structural / electrical support required
Disadvantages
Not suited for low resistance systems
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Controlling the Fan Air Flow
Comparing
Fans in
Parallel
and Series
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Controlling the Fan Air Flow
Comparing
the impact of
different types
of flow control
on power use
Thank you for
listening!