FANS & BLOWERS

Presented By
Pranav
11MTFTFE009
Food Engineering

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Fans & Blowers
Introduction
Types of fans and blowers
Assessment of fans and blowers
Energy efficiency opportunities
Fans
Fans generally add only a small amount of pressure to a gas.
Fluid compressibility can be ignored in the calculations.
They pull air from the atmosphere and discharge to a space
that is slightly above atmospheric pressure..
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Blowers
Blowers impart significant positive pressure to gases.
In these devices it is necessary to take account of change in
density with pressure and also the heat evolved by work (P dV)
done on the gas.
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Fan & Blower-Differences
Equipment Specific Ratio Pressure rise
(mmWg)
Fans Upto 1.11 1136
Blowers 1.11 to 1.20 1136-2066
Compressors More than 1.20 -
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Fans & blowers are differentiated by the method
used to move the air, and by the system pressure they
must operate against.
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Introduction-Fan Components
Outlet
Diffusers
Baffles
Heat
Exchanger
Turning Vanes
(typically used on short
radius elbows)
Variable Frequency Drive
Motor
Centrifugal
Fan
Inlet
Vanes
Filter
Belt Drive
Motor
Controller
Provide air for ventilation and industrial
processes that need air flow
System Resistance
Sum of static pressure losses in system
Configuration of ducts, pickups, elbows
Pressure drop across equipment
Increases with square of air volume
Long narrow ducts, many bends: more resistance
Large ducts, few bends: less resistance
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Static pressure
Static pressure is the potential energy put into the system
by the fan. It is given up to friction in the ducts and at the
duct inlet as it is converted to velocity pressure.
At the inlet to the duct, the static pressure produces an
area of low pressure.
Velocity pressure
Velocity pressure is the pressure along the line of the
flow that results from the air flowing through the duct.
The velocity pressure is used to calculate air velocity.
Total pressure
Total pressure is the sum of the static and velocity
pressure.
Types of Fans & Blowers
Types of fans
Centrifugal
Axial
Types of blowers
Centrifugal
Positive displacement
Centrifugal Fans

Rotating impeller increases air
velocity
Air speed is converted to
pressure
High pressures for harsh
conditions
High temperatures
Moist/dirty air streams
Material handling
Categorized by blade shapes
Radial
Forward curved
Backward inclined

.
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Centrifugal Fans Radial fans
Advantages
High pressure and temp
Simple design
High durability
Efficiency up to 75%
Large running clearances

Disadvantages
Suited for low/medium airflow rates
only
Radial blades
The most common fan found in
industry
Wide range of applicability
Can handle significant amounts of
particulates
Relatively low rpm
Stable throughout its range
Power increases with flow
Least efficient but still acceptable
.
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Forward curved
blades
Runs more slowly and quietly
Used for medium volumes at low
pressure rise
Power increases with flow
Theoretically pressure increases with
flow but practically these fans are
designed and used with a falling
pressure curve
.
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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%
Backward
inclined blades

Best mechanical efficiency
Quietest
Nonoverloading power characteristic
.
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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
Work like airplane propeller:
Blades create aerodynamic lift
Air is pressurized
Air moves along fan axis
Popular with industry: compact, low cost and light weight
Applications
Ventilation (requires reverse airflow)
Exhausts (dust, smoke, steam)
Axial Fans Propeller fans
Advantages
High airflow at low pressure
Little ductwork
Inexpensive
Suited for rooftop
ventilation
Reverse flow
Disadvantages
Low energy efficiency
Noisy
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%
Axial Fans Vane axial fans
(Canadian Blower)
Advantages
Suited for medium/high pressures
Quick acceleration
Suited for direct motor shaft connection
Most energy efficient 85%
Disadvantages
Expensive
Blowers
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

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Assessment of fans and blowers
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
Fan performance curve
Graph of different pressures and corresponding required
power
Supplier by manufacturers
Fan Efficiency and Performance
Methodology fan efficiency
Before calculating fan efficiency
Measure operating parameters
Air velocity, pressure head, air stream temp, electrical motor
input
Ensure that-
Fan is operating at rated speed
Operations are at stable condition
Step 1: Calculate air/gas density


Step 2: Measure air velocity and calculate
average


Step 3: Calculate the volumetric flow in the
duct
t = Temperature of air/gas at
site condition

Cp = Pitot tube constant, 0.85
(or) as given by the
manufacturer

p = Average differential
pressure

= Density of air or gas at
test condition
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Fan Efficiency
Step 4: Measure the power drive of the motor

Step 5: Calculate fan efficiency
Fan mechanical efficiency


Fan static efficiency

Difficulties in Performance Assessment
Non-availability of fan specification data
Difficulty in velocity measurement
Improper calibration of instruments
Variation of process parameters during tests
Energy Efficiency Opportunities
Choose the right fan
Reduce the system resistance
Operate close to BEP
Maintain fans regularly
Control the fan air flow
Choose the Right Fan
Considerations for fan selection
Noise
Rotational speed
Air stream characteristics
Temperature range
Variations in operating conditions
Space constraints and system layout
Purchase/operating costs and operating life
Systems approach most important!
Reduce the System Resistance
Increased system resistance reduces fan
efficiency
Check periodically
Check after system modifications
Reduce where possible
Control the Fan Air flow
Pulley change
Dampers
Inlet guide vanes
Variable pitch fans
Variable speed drives (VSD)
Multiple speed drive
Disc throttle
Operating fans in parallel
Operating fans in series
Control the Fan Air flow
Pulley change: reduce motor/drive pulley size
Advantages
Permanent speed
decrease
Real energy reduction
Disadvantages
Fan must handle capacity change
Only applicable if V-belt system or motor

Control the Fan Air flow
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

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References:

Bureau Of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Government Of India. Energy
Efficiency Guide Book, Chapter 5, P 93-112. 2004
Canadian Blower. Industrial Fans And Blowers,
Www.Canadianblower.Com/Blowers/Index.Html
Fanair Company, Product Presentation. Www.Fanair.Com/Products.Pdf
Ganasean, Indian Institute Of Technology. Fans, Pumps And Compressors
Northern Industrial Supply Company (NISCO), Products Fans And
Blowers, New York Blowers. Www.Nisco.Net/Nyb.Html
US Department Of Energy (US DOE), Energy Efficiency And Renewable
Energy, 1989. Improving Fan System Performance A Sourcebook For
Industry.
www1.Eere.Energy.Gov/Industry/Bestpractices/Pdfs/Fan_Sourcebook.Pdf

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Fans & Blowers

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