PEMP

RMD 2501

Fans and Blowers

Session delivered by:
Prof Q.H.
Prof.
Q H Nagpurwala

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Session Objectives

PEMP
RMD 2501

This session is intended to discuss the following:

Types and working principle of fans and blowers

Applications of various fans and blowers
Pressure rise
rise, flow coefficient and efficiency
Velocity triangles
Performance characteristics
Fan laws

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

What is a Fan?

PEMP
RMD 2501

Any device that produces a current of air by the movement of

broad surfaces can be called a fan.
Fans fall under the general classification of turbomachinery
turbomachinery
and have a rotating impeller at least partially encased in a
stationary housing.
Fans are similar in many respects to pumps. Both are
turbomachines that transfer energy to a flowing fluid. It is easy to
distinguish between fans and pumps: pumps handle liquids; fans
handle gasses.
Broadly speaking, the function of a fan is to propel, displace, or
move air or gas.
06a

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

Fans, Blowers and Compressors

PEMP
RMD 2501

Fans, blowers
F
bl
andd compressors are differentiated
diff
i d by
b the
h method
h d usedd to
move the air, and by the system pressure they must operate against.
Difference Between Fans Blower and Compressors
DifferenceBetweenFans,BlowerandCompressors
Equipment

SpecificRatio

PressureRise(mmWC)

Fans

Up to 1 11
Upto1.11

1136

Blowers

1.11to1.20

1136to2066

Compressors

Morethan
More
than
1.20

As per American Society of Mechanical Engineers

(ASME) the specific ratio the ratio of the
discharge pressure to the suction pressure is used
for defining the fans and blowers
06a

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

Components of Fan/Blower System

PEMP
RMD 2501

Turning Vanes
(typically used on
short radius elbows)
Outlet
O tl t Diffusers
Diff

Provide air for

ventilation and
industrial
processes that
need air flow
Filter

Heat
Exchanger
Baffles

Inlet
Vanes
Motor
Controller

Centrifugal Fan/Blower
Belt Drive

06a

Variable Frequency Drive

Motor

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

PEMP
RMD 2501

Parts of a Fan / Blower

1
1.
2.
3.
4
4.
5.
6.
7
7.
8.

06a

I
ll
Impeller
Blade
Shroud
H b
Hub
Housing
Inlet
Outlet
Guide Vanes

Centrifugal housing
include side plate and
scroll
ll sheets.
h t
Axial housing includes
the outer and inner
cylinder, belt tube

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

Fan Types

PEMP
RMD 2501

Fans are classified

F
l ifi d according
di to the
h direction
di i off flow
fl through
h
h the
h
impeller:

Axial Flow: Air flows through the impeller parallel to,

to and at a
constant distance from the axis. The pressure rise is provided by the
direct action of the blades
Centrifugal or radial flow: Air enters parallel to the axis of the fan
and turns through 900 and is discharged radially through the blades. The
blade force is tangential causing the air to spin with the blades and the
main pressure is attributed to this centrifugal force
Mixed flow: Air enters parallel to the axis of the fan and turns through
an angle
g which may
y range
g from 300 to 900. The ppressure rise is ppartially
y
by direct blade action and partially by centrifugal action
Cross Flow: air enters the impeller at one part of the outer periphery
flows inward and exits at another part of the outer periphery.
periphery
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Centrifugal Fans

R t ti impeller
i
ll increases
i
i velocity
l it
Rotating
air

Air speed is converted to pressure

High pressures for harsh conditions

High temperatures
Moist/dirty air streams
Material
M t i l handling
h dli

Categorized by blade shapes

Radial
Forward curved
Backward inclined

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

PEMP
RMD 2501

Centrifugal Fan Impeller Types

PEMP
RMD 2501

Open Type
Backward inclined
Radial Tip Blades

Backward inclined
Radial tip Blades

Airfoil
Blades
with
Higher
Efficiency

Backward
inclined
radial
di l
blade
06a

Open Type
Backward
inclined Radial
Tip Blades

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Forward
Curved
Blades Type

Centrifugal Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

Forward-curved fans are used

in clean environments and
operate at lower
temperatures Well suited for
temperatures.
low tip speed and highairflow at lower pressures

Paddle blade or
radial fan
Backward curved
Radial
R
di l fans
f
h
have
hi
high
h static
t ti
pressures (up to 1400 mm
WC) and can handle heavily
contaminated airstreams.
Well suited for high
temperatures and medium
blade tip speeds

06a

Forward curved or
multi-vane radial fan

Backward-inclined fans are

more efficient than forwardcurved fans. Also known as
"non-overloading" because
changes in static pressure do
not overload the motor

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

10

Applications of Centrifugal Fans

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Augmenting
g
g Air Fan
Scanner Air Fan
Booster Air Fan
Burner Air Fan
Degasser Blower
Combustion Air Fan
Oil Vapour Exhaust
Fan
Purge Gas Blowers
Inline Fans
Supply Air Fan
Exhaust Air Fan
Ventilation Fan
Radial Blowers
Turbo Blowers
(Centrifugal)
FD Fan
ID Fan
In-series
In
series Blowers
Igniter Air Fan
Seal Air Fan
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

11

Centrifugal Fans
T
Type
Radial

Ch
Characteristics
t i ti

PEMP
RMD 2501

T i l A li ti
TypicalApplications

High pressure, medium flow, Various industrial applications,

efficiency
y close to tube axial fans, suitable for dust laden, moist
power increases continuously
air/gases

Medium pressure, high flow, dip

Low p
pressure HVAC,, packaged
p
g
F
Forward
d curved
d
i pressure curve, efficiency
in
ffi i
units, suitable for clean and
blades
higher than radial fans, power rises
dust laden air/gases
continuously

Backward
curved blades

Airfoil type

06a

High pressure, high flow, high

HVAC, vaious industrial
efficiency, power reduces as flow
applications forced draft fans
increases beyond the point of
etc
highest efficiency
Same as backward curve type,
highest efficiency

Same as backward curved, but

for clean air application

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

12

Fan/Blower Blade Types

Impeller blades are manufactured either laminar (flat, constant

thickness) or aerofoil shape and generally hollow
Aerofoil blades have greater efficiencies (up to 90%) compared
to constant thickness blades,
blades with the advantages of efficiency
spread over the characteristic and lower noise generation
However with careful attention to design of blade curvature,
inlet eye detail and impeller shrouding, comparable efficiencies
can be achieved with constant thickness blades
Aerofoil blades are freelyy used pparticularlyy when blade stresses
are high and extra stiffening is required

constant thickness blades

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Aerofoil blades

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

13

PEMP
RMD 2501

Axial Flow Fans

L efficient,
ffi i t large
l
i fl
Less
airflow
and low speeds

Vane axial fan

Tube axial fan
Propeller fan

Higher speeds than

propeller fans, highpressures 250 400 mm
WC and efficiency up to
65%.
06a

Pressures upto 500

mmWC and are highly
energy-efficient

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

14

Axial Flow Fans Applications

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Ventilation Fan
Airscrew Fan
Wall mounted Supply
pp y Fan
Wall mounted Exhaust Fan
Bifurcated Fan
Roof Exhaust Fan
Inline Fan
Spark proof Fans
Inline Fans
Freshh Air
Ai Unit
i
Ventilation Unit
Air washer Unit
Smoke Exhaust Unit
Toilet Exhaust Fans
CPU Fans

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

15

Propeller Fan

PEMP
RMD 2501

Propeller fan also known as panel fan is commonly used to exhaust hot or
contaminated air or corrosive gases from factories, welding shops, foundries,
furnace rooms, laboratories, laundries, stores or residential attics or windows

24propeller fan with belt drive

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

16

Axial Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

Type

Characteristics
Typical Applications
low pressure, high flow, low
Air circulation,
efficiency peak efficiency
efficiency,
ventilation
ventilation,
Propeller
close to point of free air
exhaust
delivery (zero static pressure)
M di
Medium
pressure, high
hi h flow,
fl
HVAC,
higher efficiency than
drying ovens,
Tube Axial ppropeller
p
type,
yp dipp in pressure
p
exhaust systems
flow curve before peak
pressure point
Vane Axial

06a

Highh pressure, medium

Hi
di
flow,
fl
High pressure
dip in pressure-flow curve,
applications including
use of guide vanes improves
HVAC systems
efficiency exhausts
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

17

Mixed Flow Fan

PEMP
RMD 2501

Mixed flow fan with barrel shaped spun housing for small
diameters of inlet and outlet ducts. Direct drive, the fan wheel
has a conical back plate. Outlet guide vanes prevent excessive
p at the small outlet diameter.
air spin
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

18

Axial-Centrifugal Fan Types

PEMP
RMD 2501

Single inlet single

width impeller

Double inlet
double width
impeller

06a

Single inlet single width

fan wheel with six radial
blades welded to a back
plate
l
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

19

Belt Drive versus Direct Drive

Belt drive
Flexibility in operating
speeds
The air stream passing over
the motor cools it
Large size fans can be
operated at low speeds while
motor is operated at higher
speeds resulting in
economical operation
A 30 increase in blade angle will
result in 10-15% increase in fflow

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Direct drive
Lower number of components
resulting in lower costs
Requires no regular checkups for
adjustment of belt
Higher fan efficiency since no
slippage due to belt drive
R l in
i more flow
fl
since
i
motor
Results
does not obstruct flow
Performance flexibility of belt
drive can be obtained by adjustable
pitch blades and increasing number
of blades

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

20

Blower Types

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Centrifugal blowers typically operate against pressures of 0.35 to 0.70

kg/cm2, but can achieve much higher pressures
Also used to produce negative pressures for industrial vacuum systems
Major types are; centrifugal blower and positive-displacement blower
The impeller is typically gear-driven and rotates as fast as 15,000 rpm
Efficiency drops with multi
multi-staging
staging due to the path taken from stage to stage
One characteristic is that airflow tends to drop drastically as system pressure
increases
Positive displacement blowers have rotors,
Positive-displacement
rotors which "trap"
trap air and push it
through housing.
Positive-displacement blowers provide a constant volume of air even if the
system pressure varies.
varies They are especially suitable for applications prone to
clogging,
They turn much slower than centrifugal blowers (e.g. 3,600 rpm), and are
often belt driven to facilitate speed changes.
changes
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

21

PEMP
RMD 2501

Fan Laws

Fan data for geometrically similar fans can be collapsed onto a

single curve using dimensionless numbers
Q = volumetric flow rate
D = ffan di
diameter
t
N = fan rotational speed
W = fan power
= fluid density
P = fanpressurerise

N 10% Q 10% or
N 10% Q 10%
06a

N 10% Ps 19%
or N 10% Ps 21%
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

N 10% HP 27% or
N 10% HP 33%
22

Fan Laws

PEMP
RMD 2501

Law 1 relates to effect of changing size, speed, or

density on volume flow, pressure, and power level

Law 2 relates to effect of changing size, pressure,

or density on volume flow rate, speed, and power
Subscript 1 and 2 denotes the variable for the fan
under consideration and for the tested fan respectively
For all
F
ll fan
f laws
l
(
( t)1 = (
( t)2 and
d ((point
i t off rating)
ti )1 =
(point of rating)2
Law 3 shows effect of changing size, volume
flow, or density on speed, pressure, and power
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

P equals
either pt or ps
q

23

Fan Laws

PEMP
RMD 2501

O
ti Point:
P i t Fan
F curve andd system
t curve intersect
i t
t
Operating

Move to flow Q2 by
closing damper
(increase system
resistance)
Flow Q1 at pressure
P1 and fan speed
N1
Move to flow Q2 by
reducing fan speed

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

24

PEMP
RMD 2501

Efficiency or BEP
Type of Fan

Peak
Efficiency
Range

Centrifugal fans:

Deviation from BEP results in inefficiency

and energy loss
y
resistance reduces fan
Increased system
efficiency
06a

Airfoil,
Backward
curved/inclined

79-83

Modified radial

72-79

R di l
Radial

69 75
69-75

Pressure blower

58-68

Forward curved

60-65

Axial fans:
Vane axial

78-85

T b axial
i l
Tube

67 72
67-72

Propeller

45-50

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

25

Fan Efficiency Calculation

PEMP
RMD 2501

f
l l i ffan efficiency
ffi i
i parameters
Before
calculating
measure operating
Air velocity, pressure head, air stream temp, electrical motor
input etc.,
input,
etc
Ensure that
Is efficiency
Fan is operating at rated speed
the onlyy
Operations are at stable condition
criteria for fan
Methodology
selection?
1 Calculate air/gas density
1.
2. Measure air velocity and calculate average
3. Calculate the volumetric flow in the duct
4. Measure the power drive of the motor
5. Calculate fan efficiency (Mechanical and Static efficiency)

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

26

Performance Characteristics

PEMP
RMD 2501

The theoretical pressure-quantity curve of an ideal fan (no

g line between zero volume and zero p
pressure
losses) is a straight
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

27

PEMP
RMD 2501

System Resistance
Sum of static pressure losses
in system

Configuration of ducts,
pickups, elbows

Pressure drop across

equipment

Increases with
square of air volume

06a

Long narrow ducts,

many bends: more
resistance

Large ducts, few bends:

less resistance

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

28

System Resistance Curve

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

PEMP
RMD 2501

29

PEMP
RMD 2501

Fan Characteristic Curve

The fan curve is a graphical representation of a number of inter-related
parameters under a specific set of conditions

Typically a curve
will be developed
for a given set of
conditions
di i
usually
ll
including: fan
volume, system
static pressure,
pressure fan
speed, efficiency
and BHP required
to drive the fan
under the stated
conditions

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

30

Impeller Types and Performance

Non
overloading
power
characteristic.
(i.e. power
input does not
peak at either
free flow or
no flow)

Efficiency
limited to 60%
to 70% at most.
Steeply rising
power
characteristic

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

31

Centrifugal Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

Schematic sketch of a typical centrifugal fan wheel with ten backward-curved airfoil blades
d1 = blade inner diameter
d2 = blade outer diameter
b = blade width
i
l = blade length

= blade angle
U = blade velocity
W = relative air velocity
V = Absolute air velocity

1 is usually
10o to 30o

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

32

Scroll Casing

PEMP
RMD 2501

Schematic
S
h
i sketch
k h off typical
i l scroll
ll housing
h i assembly
bl for
f
a 36.5 inch centrifugal fan with airfoil, backward curved
blades for general ventilation

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

33

Airflow versus Blade Width

PEMP
RMD 2501

Airflow versus blade width for a centrifugal fan with airfoil blades
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

34

Blade Angles and Diameter Ratios

PEMP
RMD 2501

Tipp angles
g 2, as a function of the inlet blade angle
g 1 and of the
diameter ratio d1/d2 for straight blades
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

35

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

Speed change by pulley change

Dampers
Inlet guide vanes
V i bl pitch
Variable
it h fans
f
Variable speed drives (VSD)
Multiple speed drive
Disc throttle
Operating
p
g fans in pparallel
Operating fans in series

Flow control
dampers

I l t vane dampers
Inlet
d
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

PEMP
RMD 2501

Pulley Driven

I l t guide
Inlet
id vanes
36

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

Pulley change: reduce motor/drive pulley
size

PEMP
RMD 2501

Speed Change

Permanent speed
p
decrease
Real energy reduction
Fan must handle capacity change
Only applicable if V-belt system or motor

Dampers: reduce flow and increase

upstream pressure
Inexpensive
E
Easy
to install
i
ll
Limited adjustment
Reduce flow but not energy consumption
Higher operating and maintenance costs
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Dampers
37

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

PEMP
RMD 2501

I l t guide
id vanes
Inlet
Create swirls in fan direction
Reduce angle air and fan blades
Lowering fan load, pressure, air flow
Improve efficiency: reduced load and airflow
Cost effective at 80-100% of full air flow
Less efficient at <80% of full air flow

Variable pitch fans: changes angle incoming

airflow and blades Axial fan only
High efficiency at range of operating conditions
No resonance p
problems
No stall problems at different flows
Applicable to axial fans only
Risk of fouling
fo ling problems
Reduced efficiency at low loads
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Lets look at this

in detail in
subsequent
slides

38

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

PEMP
RMD 2501

Variable speed drives (VSDs): reduce fan speed and air flow
Two types; Mechanical VSDs and Electrical VSDs
((includingg VFDs))
Most improved and efficient speed control
Speed adjustments over continuous range
high costs
Variable frequency drives (Change motors rotational speed
by adjusting electrical frequency of power)
Effective and easy flow control
Improved efficiency over wide operating range
Can be retrofitted to existing motors
Compactness
No fouling
g pproblems
Reduced energy losses and costs
06a

M.M.S.
S. Ramaiah
School
of Advanced
Studies, Studies
Bangalore
Ramaiah
School
of Advanced

39
39

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

PEMP
RMD 2501

Multiple speed drive (Changes fan speed from one to other)

Efficient control of flow
Suitable if onlyy 2 speeds
p
required
q
Need to jump from speed to speed
High investment costs

Disc throttle (Sliding throttle that changes width of impeller

exposed to air stream)

06a

Simple design
Feasible in some applications only
Operate fans in series
Lower average duct pressure
Less noise
Lower structural / electrical support required
Not suited for low resistance systems
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

Fans in series
40

Control of Fan/Blower Airflow

PEMP
RMD 2501

Operate more fans in parallel (instead of one large fan)

High efficiencies at varying demand
Less expensive
p
and better performance
p
than one large
g fan
Risk of downtime avoided
Can be equipped with other flow controls
O l suited
Only
i d for
f low
l resistance
i
system
Comparing Fans in
Parallel and Series

Comparing the
impact of
different types
of flow control
on power use

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

41

Solidity Axial Flow Fans

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

PEMP
RMD 2501

42

Blade Pitch (angle) Setting

Adjustment using pitch plates

PEMP
RMD 2501

Adjustment using pitch markings

Performance control is achieved by altering speed, adjusting

06a

impeller blade pitch angle or adjusting variable inlet guide vanes

Performance is enhanced by installation of inlet cone, inlet or outlet
guide vanes, tail fairings, and diffusers
On-load or off load blade pitch adjustment is possible
M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

43

Blade Pitch (angle) Setting

Adjustment
j
usingg a protractor
p

PEMP
RMD 2501

Variable pitch blades

Impellers without markings require the use

of a protractor to set the appropriate angle

Each setting has a different performance

characteristic

Some manufacturers specify the blade pitch angle in terms of the tip chord. Those
who refurbish fans often incorrectly set these angles as the at the blade root rather
than the tip of the blade.
blade Depending upon the twist of the blade this could be as
much as 30 resulting with the fan performance less than expectations
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

44

Start Up Single Fan Variable Speed

On start up the fan goes

from standstill to full speed

Will follow path 1,2,3,4 if

equilibrium is reached
instantaneously

Will follow path 11, 2

2, 2
2,
4 if equilibrium is not
established instantaneously

In any case all points are

on the negative part of the
curve and therefore stable

PEMP
RMD 2501

Single fan - variable speed

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

45

Start Up Single Fan Damper Control

Dampers set to open when a

predetermined pressure is
reached (i.e no flow until
operating pressure is reached)

Fan must follow the parabola

over the hump and the fan may
become unstable during this
stage

It is
i found
f
d by
b experience
i
that
th t
fans with long lengths of lay-flat
duct reduces excessive power
d
draw
andd prevents the
h fan
f from
f
shaking violently

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Single fan Damper Control

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

46

Start Up Two Fan in Series

If started simultaneously they will

act in the same manner as a single
fan

If one fan is started the operating

fan sees a higher resistance
caused by the non
non-operating
operating fan

At the start-up of the second fan

the system resistance is lowered
andd th
the first
fi t fan
f comes down
d
the
th
curve whilst the second fan
moves from a free flow (air from
the
h first
fi fan)
f ) situation
i
i until
il both
b h
fans are at the same speed and
contributing to the combined fan
curve

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Two fans in series

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

47

Start Up Two Fan in Parallel

If started simultaneously they will act

in the same manner as a single fan

When one fan is started it will run up

and settle on the system

The second fan (no flow) will start

and when acceleration is sufficient it
will move to the right at the same
time that the first fan is moves up its
curve until
til both
b th fans
f
are att the
th same
speed and contributing to the
combined fan curve

Note that the second fan must move

over the hump and could cause
serious instability if the curve has a
dip as well as a hump

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Two fans in parallel

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

48

Merits of Axial and Centrifugal Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

Axial fans offer better efficiency over a wider range of duties whereas
the centrifugal fans can have a higher efficiency, albeit over a smaller
range, on a single performance curve.

The performance of a single speed axial fan can be altered simply by

adjustment to the impeller blade pitch angle.

The
Th performance
f
off a single
i l speedd centrifugal
t if l fan
f requires
i the
th
installation of variable inlet vanes.

Axial fans are ggenerallyy considered to be more easilyy accessible for

maintenance.

Axial fans generally run faster than centrifugal as a consequence are

much
h noisier.
ii

Axial fan impellers are generally manufactured from aluminum in an

effort to keep weight to a minimum. As a consequence the potential for
erosion is greater, particularly if there is water in the shaft.
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

49

Merits of Axial and Centrifugal Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

The light material used in the blades along with the high rotational speed
of axial fans make them prone to erosion, and even in good (dry)
conditions it is reasonably expected that this erosion will have
significantly reduced the fan performance within five years.

Centrifugal fan impellers are fabricated from plate and are generally
hollow. As a consequence when there is water in the shaft the nose of
the blade is prone to pitting allowing water to enter the hollow section.
Sufficient water in this section will cause the impeller
p
to become
unbalanced, and if allowed to continue it will result in high vibration and
eventual failure of the impeller shaft.

Centrifugal
C
if l fans
f
traditionally
di i ll require
i the
h construction
i off large
l
concrete
foundations for the motor and ductwork. The cost of these foundations
significantly increases the capital cost of the fan.
06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

50

Merits of Single and Multiple Fans

PEMP
RMD 2501

Single fan installations are generally less expensive than multiple fan
installations.
installations

Multiple fan installations have the advantage of airflow redundancy,

i.e. a percentage of airflow will always be available whilst a fan is off
line for maintenance or component change out.

Single fan options do not provide any capacity for redundancy

airflow. The purchase of spares (motor,
airflow
(motor impeller
impeller, shafts
shafts, bearings
bearings,
blades etc) is good management and should be included as upfront
capital expenditure.

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

51

Session Summary

06a

PEMP
RMD 2501

Various types of axial and centrifugal fans and blowers have

been described
described.

Fans and blowers are low speed machines with low pressure
rise, and the flow through them is treated as incompressible.

Fan / blower characteristics have been discussed.

Fan starting characteristics have been explained.
explained
Fans and blowers follow affinity laws which help in scaling of
the machines.

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

52

PEMP
RMD 2501

Thank you

06a

M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

53