ONE VERSION of the FAN LAWS

(a subset of a more general set called Affinity Laws)

These laws are limited to geometrically similar fans, called a homologous series, which
are operating at the same "point of rating", (i.e., at the same efficiency).

This particular version treats speed, diameter, and gas density as independent variables,
and flow rate, pressure rise, and horsepower as dependent variables.

1 3
 Q2  

N2   D2 
Flow Rate   = 
  x   x 1
 Q1  

 N1   D1 

2 2 1
 TP2  

N2   D2   ρ2 
Total Pressure   = 
  x   x  
 TP1  

 N1   D1   ρ1 

2 2 1
 SP2  

N2   D2   ρ2 
Static Pressure   = 
  x   x  
 SP1  

 N1   D1   ρ1 

2 2 1
 VP2 


N2   D2   ρ2 
Velocity Pressure   = 
  x   x  
 VP1  

 N1   D1   ρ1 

3 5 1
 HP2  

N2   D2   ρ2 
Horsepower   = 
  x   x  
 HP1  

 N1   D1   ρ1 

    ρ 
Sound Power PWL2 = PWL1 + 50 log  N2  + 70 log  D2  + 20 log  2 
 N1   D1   ρ1 

Notes: 1 = original point of rating; 2 = new point of rating;

N = RPM; Q = volumetric flow rate; D = wheel diameter; ρ = gas density;

PWL = sound power level in db.

Example: If a fan delivers 20,000 ft3/min of standard air at a static pressure of 3.0 in Wg
at a fan speed of 500 rpm and a power input of 18 hp, what speed , input power and static
pressure are required if the flow rate is increased to 28,000 ft3/min by increasing the
rotational speed?

Given:
• Q1 = 20,000 cfm
• N1 = 500 rpm
• SP1 = 3.0 “ Wg
• P1 = 18 hp
• Q2 = 28,000 cfm

Assumptions:
• The system connected toi the fan is unchanged
• Fan efficiency is unchanged
• Fixed air density
• Fixed fan geometry

Find: N2, SP2, & P2

3
 Q2   N2   D2 
  =   x   x 1
 Q1   N1   D1 

N2 = N1 x ( Q2 / Q1 ) = ( 500 rpm ) * ( 28,000 cfm / 20,000 cfm ) = 700 rpm

2 2
 SP2   N2   D2   ρ2 
  =   x   x  
 SP1   N1   D1   ρ1 

SP2 = SP1 x ( N2 / N1 )2 = ( 3.0 “Wg) x ( 700 / 500 )2 = 5.88 “Wg

3 5
 HP2   N2   D2   ρ2 
  =   x   x  
 HP1   N1   D1   ρ1 

HP2 = HP1 x ( N2 / N1 )3 = ( 18 hp) x ( 700 / 500 )3 = 49.4 hp

Comments: The fan laws are among the most important tools for the ventilation system
designer. It is important to understand their applications while keeping in mind the
limitations described earlier.