FANS AND

BLOWERS
WHAT IS A FAN?
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 "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.
FANS, BLOWERS AND COMPRESSORS
-Fans, blowers and compressors are differentiated
by the method used to move the air, and by the
system pressure they must operate against.
Fan Components

Provide air for ventilation and

industrial processes that need air flow

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:

Axial Flow: Air flows through the impeller parallel 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 which may range
from 300 to 900. The pressure rise is partially by
direct blade action and partially by centrifugal
action

CrossFlow: air enters the impeller at one part of

the outer periphery flows inward and exits at
another part of the outer periphery
TYPES OF FANS AND
BLOWERS
Types of fans
Centrifugal
Axial
Types of blowers
Centrifugal
Positive displacement
CENTRIFUGAL FANS
APPLICATIONS OF CENTRIFUGAL FANS:
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
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

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)
APPLICATIONS:
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 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

Axial Flow Fans Centrifugal Fans

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

Cp = Pitot tube constant, 0.85

(or) as given by the
manufacturer
2. Measure air velocity and calculate average
p = Average differential
pressure

= Density of air or gas at test

condition

3. Calculate the volumetric flow in the duct

4. Measure the power drive of the motor
5. Calculate fan efficiency
Fan mechanical efficiency

Fan static efficiency

 HOW TO CALCULATE FAN PERFORMANCE

flow in kg/sec x total head developed in meters of air column x 9.81

Air kW = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000
where:
head developed in meters of air column
head developed in meters water column x density of water in kg/m3
= ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
density of air in kg/m3

Air kW
Combined Efficiency = ------------ x 100
Input kW
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
OPPORTUNITIES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES

1. Choose the right fan

2. Reduce the system resistance
3. Operate close to BEP
4. Maintain fans regularly
5. Control the fan air flow
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES

1. 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!

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
1. Choose the Right Fan
Avoid buying oversized fans
Do not operate at Best Efficiency Point
Risk of unstable operation
Excess flow energy
High airflow noise
Stress on fan and system
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES

2. Reduce the System Resistance

Increased system resistance
reduces fan efficiency

Check periodically
Check after system
modifications
Reduce where
possible
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES

3. Operate Close to BEP

Best Efficiency Point = maximum

efficiency
Normally close to rated fan capacity
Deviation from BEP results in
inefficiency and energy loss
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
Peak efficiency or Best Efficiency
Point (BEP)
Airfoil Peak
Efficiency
Backward Type of Fan
Range
Centrifugal fans:
Efficiency

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

4. Maintain Fans Regularly

Periodic inspection of all system
components
Bearing lubrication and replacement
Belt tightening and replacement
Motor repair or replacement
Fan cleaning
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
a) Pulley change
b) Dampers
c) Inlet guide vanes
d) Variable pitch fans
e) Variable speed drives (VSD)
f) Multiple speed drive
g) Disc throttle
h) Operating fans in parallel
i) Operating fans in series
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
a) 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
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

Disadvantage: high costs

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
e) Variable frequency drives
Change motors rotational speed by
adjusting electrical frequency of power
Advantages
Effective and easy flow control
Improved efficiency over wide operating range
Can be retrofitted to existing motors
Compactness
No fouling problems
Reduced energy losses and costs
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES
5. Control the Fan Air flow
f) Multiple speed drive
Changes fan speed from one speed to
other speed
Advantages
Efficient control of flow
Suitable if only 2 speeds required

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!