Capítulo 1

APLICACIONES
 5. Fans and Blowers
5. FANS AND BLOWERS

Syllabus
Fans and blowers: Types, Performance evaluation, Efficient system operation, Flow
control strategies and energy conservation opportunities

5.1 Introduction
Fans and blowers provide air for ventilation and industrial process requirements. Fans
generate a pressure to move air (or gases) against a resistance caused by ducts, dampers,
or other components in a fan system. The fan rotor receives energy from a rotating shaft
and transmits it to the air.

Difference between Fans, Blowers and Compressors

Fans, blowers and compressors Table 5.1 Differences Between Fans, Blower And Compressor
are differentiated by the method
used to move the air, and by the Equipment Specific Ratio Pressure rise (mmWg)
system pressure they must operate
against. As per American Society Fans Up to 1.11 1136
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
the specific ratio - the ratio of the
discharge pressure over the suction Blowers 1.11 to 1.20 1136 – 2066
pressure - is used for defining the
fans, blowers and compressors (see Compressors more than 1.20 -
Table 5.1).

5.2 Fan Types

Fan and blower selection depends on the Table 5.2 Fan Efficiencies
volume flow rate, pressure, type of Peak Efficiency
material handled, space limitations, and Type of fan
Range
efficiency. Fan efficiencies differ from Centrifugal Fan
design to design and also by types. Airfoil, backward
Typical ranges of fan efficiencies are 79-83
curved/inclined
given in Table 5.2.
Modified radial 72-79
Fans fall into two general categories: Radial 69-75
centrifugal flow and axial flow. Pressure blower 58-68
Forward curved 60-65
In centrifugal flow, airflow changes Axial fan
direction twice - once when entering and Vanaxial 78-85
second when leaving (forward curved, Tubeaxial 67-72
backward curved or inclined, radial) Propeller 45-50
(see Figure 5.1).

In axial flow, air enters and leaves the fan with no change in direction (propeller,
tubeaxial, vaneaxial) (see Figure 5.2).

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 5. Fans and Blowers

Figure 5.1 Centrifugal Fan Figure 5.2 Axial Fan

Centrifugal Fan: Types

The major types of centrifugal fan are: radial, forward curved and backward curved (see
Figure 5.3).
Radial fans are industrial workhorses because of their high static pressures (upto 1400
mm WC) and ability to handle heavily contaminated airstreams. Because of their simple
design, radial fans are well suited for high temperatures and medium blade tip speeds.
Forward-curved fans are used in clean environments and operate at lower
temperatures. They are well suited for low tip speed and high-airflow work - they are
best suited for moving large volumes of air against relatively low pressures.
Backward-inclined fans are more efficient than forward-curved fans. Backward-
inclined fans reach their peak power consumption and then power demand drops off well
within their useable airflow range. Backward-inclined fans are known as "non-
overloading" because changes in static pressure do not overload the motor.

Paddle Blade (Radial blade) Forward Curved (Multi-Vane) Backward Curved

Figure 5.3 Types of Centrifugal Fans

Axial Flow Fan: Types

The major types of axial flow fans are: tube axial, vane axial and propeller (see Figure
5.4.)

Tubeaxial fans have a wheel inside a cylindrical housing, with close clearance between
blade and housing to improve airflow efficiency. The wheel turn faster than propeller
fans, enabling operation under high-pressures 250 – 400 mm WC. The efficiency is up to
65%.
Vaneaxial fans are similar to tubeaxials, but with addition of guide vanes that improve
efficiency by directing and straightening the flow. As a result, they have a higher static
pressure with less dependence on the duct static pressure. Such fans are used generally for

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 5. Fans and Blowers
pressures upto 500 mmWC. Vaneaxials are typically the most energy-efficient fans
available and should be used whenever possible.
Propeller fans usually run at low speeds and moderate temperatures. They experience a
large change in airflow with small changes in static pressure. They handle large volumes
of air at low pressure or free delivery. Propeller fans are often used indoors as exhaust
fans. Outdoor applications include air-cooled condensers and cooling towers. Efficiency
is low – approximately 50% or less.

Tube Axial Vane Axial Propeller

Figure 5.4 Types of Radial Fans

The different types of fans, their characteristics and typical applications are given in
Table 5.3.

Common Blower Types

Blowers can achieve much higher pressures than fans, as high as 1.20 kg/cm2. They are
also used to produce negative pressures for industrial vacuum systems. Major types are:
centrifugal blower and positive-displacement blower.
Centrifugal blowers look more like centrifugal pumps than fans. The
impeller is typically gear-driven and rotates as fast as 15,000 rpm.
In multi-stage blowers, air is accelerated as it passes through each
impeller. In single-stage blower, air does not take many turns, and
hence it is more efficient.
Centrifugal blowers typically operate against pressures of
2
0.35 to 0.70 kg/cm , but can achieve higher pressures. One
characteristic is that airflow tends to drop drastically as system pressure

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 5. Fans and Blowers
Table 5.3 Types of Fans, Characteristics, and Typical Applications

Centrifugal Fans Axial-flow Fans

Typical Typical
Type Characteristics Type Characteristics
Applications Applications

Radial High pressure, Various Propeller Low pressure, high Air-circulation,

medium flow, industrial flow, low efficiency, ventilation,
efficiency close to applications, peak efficiency close exhaust
tube-axial fans, suitable for to point of free air
power increases dust laden, delivery (zero static
continuously moist pressure)
air/gases

Forward- Medium pressure, Low pressure Tube-axial Medium pressure, HVAC, drying
curved high flow, dip in HVAC, high flow, higher ovens, exhaust
blades pressure curve, packaged efficiency than systems
efficiency higher units, suitable propeller type, dip in
than radial fans, for clean and pressure-flow curve
power rises dust laden air / before peak pressure
continuously gases point.

Backward High pressure, high HVAC, Vane-axial High pressure, High pressure
curved flow, high various medium flow, dip in applications
blades efficiency, power industrial pressure-flow curve, including
reduces as flow applications, use of guide vanes HVAC
increases beyond forced draft improves efficiency systems,
point of highest fans, etc. exhausts
efficiency

Airfoil Same as backward Same as

type curved type, highest backward
efficiency curved, but for
clean air
applications

increases, which can be a disadvantage in material conveying systems that depend on a

steady air volume. Because of this, they are most often used in applications that are not
prone to clogging.

Positive-displacement blowers have rotors, which "trap" air and push it through housing.
Positive-displacement blowers provide a constant volume of air even if the system
pressure varies. They are especially suitable for applications prone to clogging, since they
can produce enough pressure - typically up to 1.25 kg/cm2 - to blow clogged materials
free. They turn much slower than centrifugal blowers (e.g. 3,600 rpm), and are often belt
driven to facilitate speed changes.

5.3 Fan Performance Evaluation and Efficient System Operation

System Characteristics
The term “system resistance” is used when referring to the static pressure. The system
resistance is the sum of static pressure losses in the system. The system resistance is a
function of the configuration of ducts, pickups, elbows and the pressure drops across

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Basics Concepts: Casings & Impellers
When you boil them down to the most fundamental components, pumps are made up of
two components:

• An impeller which creates velocity through rotation,

• And a casing which converts velocity into pressure.

There are different types of impellers and different types of casings. The way that
different types of impellers and casings are combined produces all of the different types
of pumps.

Types of Pump Casings

There two basic types of pump casings: volutes and diffusers.

Whether we’re talking about volutes or diffusers, what all casings have in common is
that they are designed to take energy in the form of velocity and convert it into pressure.

Volutes

Image from A Brief Introduction to Centrifugal

Pumps

Volutes are designed to capture the velocity of liquid

as it enters the outermost diameter of an impeller and
convert the velocity of the liquid into pressure.

In the picture to the right, notice that the impeller is

not located in the center of the volute. This is
intentional. The portion of the volute that extends
closest to the impeller is called the cutwater.

You will notice, that starting from the cutwater and proceeding in a counter-clockwise
fashion, the distance between the volute and the impeller increases gradually. This has
the effect of causing pressure to build within the volute as the distance increases. Once
the point of greatest separation is reached – directly next to the cutwater moving in
clockwise direction – the pressure is at its greatest, and water is forced out the casing
when it encounters the cutwater.

Diffusers
image from Pump Handbook by Igor Karassik

What a cutwater is to a volute, vanes are to a diffuser.

While volutes only have one (or sometimes two)
points where the edge of the casing approaches the
edge of the impeller in order to begin building
pressure, diffusers often have many vanes. In the case
of the assembly drawing shown the diffuser contains
10 vanes as compared the volute casing which only
has one.

Also, while an impeller is placed in the center of a volute, an impeller generally sits
directly adjacent to a diffuser and pushes water into the diffuser vanes.

The basic function of a diffuser is similar to that of a volute. Diffuser vanes are
positioned such that they begin close to the outer edge of the impeller and then
gradually extend away from the impeller periphery.

Impellers
Impellers are usually classified in two ways:

• Specific Speed (Ns): The relationship between the amount of flow an impeller
produces and the amount of head or pressure generated is called specific speed.
• Physical Design: Details such as whether an impeller is open or enclosed,
whether it is single or double suction, and the way the impeller vanes are
designed can all be used to describe and classify impellers.

Specific Speed (Ns)

Specific speed, also referred to as Ns, describes the relationship between how much
flow an impeller produces and how much head it generates. When the specific speed of
an impeller is calculated, the result is the speed at which a theoretical impeller of the
same geometric design, but only 1″ in diameter, would have to operate to produce a
flow of 1 gallon per minute and 1 foot of total dynamic head.

That sounds pretty confusing doesn’t it? To understand this concept, an example is
called for.

• Impeller No. 1: Used in a flood control pump, this impeller generates a great
deal of flow, but very little pressure.
• Impeller No. 2: Used in a boiler-feed pump, this impeller generates a great deal
of pressure, but not very much flow.
Impeller No. 1 would have a high specific speed. This impeller design generates very
little pressure relative to the amount of flow generated. As a result, a theoretical 1″
impeller of this design would have to operate at a very high speed to produce a flow of
1 GPM and 1 Ft of TDH.

Impeller No. 2 would have a low specific speed. This impeller design generates a great
deal of pressure relative to the amount of flow generates. As a result, a theoretical 1″
impeller of this design could operate at a relatively low speed and produce a flow of 1
GPM and 1 Ft of TDH.

Below is a commonly-available graph that shows this relationship and how it affects
impeller design.

Specific Speed Graph | Source: Wikipedia

As you can see, impellers with lower specific speeds (low-flow but high-head designs)
have very tight clearances. On the other end of the spectrum, you see impellers with
high specific speeds (high-flow but low-head designs). These impellers, which are
commonly called propellers once we reach the axial-flow field, have increasingly large
internal clearances until you reach the axial-flow field in which case the impellers are
completely open with no impeller covering or shroud.

Physical Design

Another way to classify impellers is according to the design. This method of

classification is not unrelated to specific speed, and the specific speed of the impeller
plays a large role in determining the physical design of the impeller.

Open vs. Enclosed

One differentiation in impeller design is the use or lack of a shroud or covering.

Impellers with a top and bottom shroud are said to be enclosed impellers. Impellers
without any shroud at all are said to be open impellers.

There are also single-shroud impellers in some specialty pumps, such as vortex
impellers in solids-handling pumps. Such designs only have a top shroud and the
impeller vanes are completely open to the liquid being pumped. Impellers of the single-
shroud variety are ideally suited for applications where a large number of solids that
might clog a shrouded impeller are present. However, single-shroud vortex impellers
are much less efficient than enclosed impeller designs.

Single vs. Double Suction:

Image from Pump Handbook by Igor Karassik

All of the impellers shown in the specific speed table above

are of the single-suction design. This means that there is a
single portion of the impeller that is designed to take in water.
There are also impellers designed to take suction from both
sides of the impeller. A drawing of this type of impeller can be seen to the right.

A double-suction impeller is a more balanced design than a single suction impeller

because the two-sided design of the impeller balances the axial thrust loads imposed on
the impeller and transmitted through the shaft to the pump bearings.

Vane Design

Some impellers have many vanes and tight internal clearances. These are typically
intended for water service and generally fall between the radial-vane and francis-vane
specific speed fields. Other impellers have just one or two vanes and large internal
clearances. These types are often called solids-handling impellers and generally fall
between the Francis-vane and mixed-flow fields. Still others are designed with a single
vane and no lower shroud, or with vanes that do not extend very far down into product
being pumped. These are called screw and vortex impellers respectively, and are
intended for applications with a high concentration of solids. Finally, there are impellers
will no shroud at all, top or bottom, such as what you see in the axial-flow field.