TTM-08: Back to basics – fan impeller characteristics

If you want to move air, there is a variety of fan types to choose from, like axial fans, backward curved fans and forward curved fans.
The selection very likely depends on your application, the direction of air flow you would like to achieve and most importantly the duty
point for the fan. But it is important to know that each of these fan types come with its specific performance characteristics.

2 Axial fans

As the name suggests, axial fans move air in an axial direction. Looking at the rotor, they can either push air away from you (V-flow) or
towards you (A-flow).

Axial fans are typically used for high air volume, low pressure applications. With this fan type it is recommended to use a housing with
full inlet nozzle as it provides the best aerodynamic performance. Not using a housing with full inlet nozzle can result in performance
losses of 10-15%, a reduction in efficiency and an increase in noise (see Figure 1).

Fig. 2: Effects of axial position in fan housing

Fig. 3: Effects of width of air gap between fan housing and impeller tip

ebm-papst offers axial fans that are already fitted in a housing with inlet nozzle and therefore provide the best possible performance. If a
customer wishes to design and use their own housing, consideration needs to be given to the position of the fan in the housing, the
geometry of the housing and the gap between impeller tip and housing and resulting effects on air performance, efficiency and noise
behaviour of the fan (see Figs. 2 and 3).

Further effects on the performance are caused by the guard grille (reduction in performance and increase in noise) and the mounting
position of the fan in the customer unit.
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Performance characteristics

Even though there is a wide variety of axial fans on the market, with different shapes and materials of impellers and different types of
motors, the main characteristics of an axial fan are always the same:
 - Input power increases with increasing pressure
 - Speed decreases with increasing pressure (unless fan has constant speed control feature).
This typical air performance characteristic can be seen in Figure 4, which is the performance of an 800mm 6-pole axial fan.
Figure 5: saddle point of axial fan.

Performance curves in data sheets for axial fans often begin at a certain air volume which is different to 0m3/h or 0l/s. This is done to
show only the usable part of the performance curve. All axial fans have a so-called saddle point which limits the usable part of the curve.
The saddle point is a small dip in the performance curve. Operation of the fan “left” of the saddle point means operating it outside its
designated operating range. This will result in detrimental effects on performance, for example noise and vibration, and reduced life
time.

An example of a saddle point can be seen in Figure 5 which is the performance curve of a 2-pole 300mm axial fan.

3 Backward curved fans

Fig. 6: Air Flow Direction of a backward curved fan

Backward curved fans have a free-running impeller and do not need a scroll housing. The air intake of a backward curved fan runs in
parallel with the shaft. The air flow is then diverted by 90° in the impeller and discharged in a centrifugal direction.

Backward curved fans are typically used for applications with medium air volume and medium to high back pressure. It is always
recommended to use backward curved fans with inlet rings. Not using inlet rings has negative effects on performance, efficiency and
noise (see Figs. 7 and 8). When using inlet rings, consideration needs to be given to the performance implications of the shape and
diameter of the inlet ring and its position in the impeller. ebm-papst offers products with the inlet ring already incorporated at its ideal
position which eliminates the risk of incorrect positioning.

Figure 9: Effects of installation space and hydraulic diameter

Installation space, which is the available space around the impeller, plays a very important role for backward curved fans. Typically, the
less installation space there is for the fan, the higher the negative effects on its performance. To evaluate suitability of installation space
in an application, the formula for hydraulic diameter can be considered (see Fig. 9).
 Performance characteristics

Performance characteristicsAll backward curved fans have the same performance characteristics independent of impeller material and
style and motor type.
 - Input power and efficiency are at their highest in the middle of the performance curve
- Speed is at its lowest in the middle of the performance curve (unless fan has constant speed control feature).
Figure 10 shows the performance curve of a 133mm EC backward curved fan, indicating the typical performance characteristics of a
backward curved fan.

Due to the characteristic that maximum input power is in the “middle” of the performance curve where efficiency is also at its highest, it
is not possible to overload a backward curved fan based on duty point alone.

4 Forward curved fans

Figure 11: Single inlet fan and double inlet fan (from left)

In contrast to backward curved fans, forward curved fans must have a scroll housing for optimum air flow. The housing can either have
single inlet, meaning air intake only from one side, or double inlet, with air intake from 2 sides. Due to the requirement of a housing and
air direction, forward curved fans are often also called forward curved blowers. They often have a flange on the air outlet to allow easy
connection to a duct system or opening in wall.

Figure 12: Effects of air intake obstruction

Forward curved fans are typically used for medium air volume, medium to high pressure applications, similar to backward curved
fans.When installing forward curved fans, it is important to allow sufficient space at the air intake side. The less space available, the
higher the reduction in air performance, as Figure 12 shows.

Performance characteristics
 Figure 13: Air Performance Characteristic of forward curved fans

All forward curved fans also have typical performance characteristics, independent of impeller shape and material or motor type.
 Input power increases with decreasing pressure. This means that some forward curved fans have a requirement for minimum back
pressure.
 Speed decreases with decreasing pressure.
These performance characteristics can be seen in Figure 13, which shows the air performance of a 146mm EC forward curved fan.

5 Other fan types

Additional to the fan types discussed here, there are other fan types like diagonal or mixed flow fans which are a hybrid between axial
fan and backward curved fan or tangential blower which is basically a very long forward curved fan in a different style of housing or
many other. All these types also have their specific characteristic.

6 Summary
All fan types have their own performance characteristics, independent of their specific impeller shape, impeller material or motor type.
Depending on individual design, performance characteristics can be more or less pronounced. It is important to know that axial fans can
be overloaded and pushed above the saddle point when the back pressure gets too high, whereas forward curved fans can potentially be
overloaded when the back pressure is too low. Backward curved fans on the other hand cannot be overloaded based on duty point alone.