Axial Fan Teaching Trainer M7

PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL
Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 1 / 31
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL..........................................................................................2
7.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT ............................................................................................... 2

7.1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 2
7.1.2 Description ................................................................................................................................................. 3
7.1.3 Practical possibilities .................................................................................................................................. 6
7.1.4 Specifications ............................................................................................................................................. 6
7.1.5 Dimensions ................................................................................................................................................. 7
7.1.6 Required services........................................................................................................................................ 7
7.2 THEORY ................................................................................................................................... 8

7.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 8
7.2.2 Axial fans ................................................................................................................................................... 9
7.2.3 Basic definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 10
7.2.4. Calculation of the flow with a hole plate .................................................................................................. 12
7.2.5. Test with outlet duct and hole plate .......................................................................................................... 13
7.2.6. Typical curve of fans ................................................................................................................................ 15
7.2.7. Fan output calculation .............................................................................................................................. 17
7.2.8. Non-dimensional relations. Fan scaling ................................................................................................... 17
7.2.9. Error made when disregarding the air compressibility ............................................................................. 19
7.3. LABORATORY PRACTICAL EXERCISES........................................................................ 22

7.3.1. Practical exercise 1: Calculation of the flow on a hole plate .................................................................... 22
7.3.2. Practical exercise 2: Calculation of the flow through a symmetrical seal. Test with outlet duct and
nozzle… .................................................................................................................................................................. 24
7.3.3. Practical exercise 3: Calculation of the fan output ................................................................................... 27
7.3.4. Practical exercise 4: Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up ............................................................. 29
7.4. ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................... 31

7.4.1. Annex I: Fan curve ................................................................................................................................... 31
7 PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL
7.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
7.1.1 Introduction
A fan is a turbo machine in which the impelled flow is a gas (a

compressible flow), to which a power with a specific output is transferred.
These extremely useful devices have many applications, according to their

design. They go from the ventilation of small computer to big devices used in wind
tunnels.
The HVAC/HVAB unit from Edibon S.A. allows the observation and the
working process analysis of an axial-flow fan. Likewise, it allows the possibility of
displaying and controlling the basic variables of the process, which will allow the
user to characterize the ventilation process, as well as its operation and output.
7.1.2 Description
 HVAB unit
7
5 6
1 2 3 4
 HVAC unit
8 9
Benchtop unit that includes:
1. Adjustable axial fan. Range: 0-7000 r.p.m.
2. Straight conduit made of PMMA with an internal diameter of 95 mm. it

has a flow straightener.
3. Orifice plate with pressure takings.
4. Adjustable orifice by three knurled screws.
HVAB unit
5. Differential manometer connected to the tunnel and to the atmospheric

pressure. Range: 0 – 3” H2O.
6. Weather station to measure room temperature, pressure and humidity.
7. Differential manometer connected to the orifice plate. Range: 0 – 3”

H2O.
HVAC unit
8. Pressure sensors.
9. Temperature sensor.

7.1.3 Practical possibilities
1- Flow calculation through the measurement of the static, dynamic and

total pressure.
2- Typical curve of a fan calculation at a constant turning speed according

to the flow used by the adjustable orifice.
3- Fan output calculation.
4- Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up.
7.1.4 Specifications
 Anodised aluminium frame and metallic elements made of stainless

steel.
 Main metallic elements made of stainless steel.
 Diagram in the front panel with distribution of the elements similar

to the real one.
 Axial fan. Range: 0-6000 r.p.m.
 Conduit made of PMMA with internal diameter of 95mm.
 Adjustable orifice.
 Three differential pressure sensors (HVAC) or two differential

manometers (HVAB).
 Weather station, with room temperature, pressure and humidity

measurement to know the conditions of the inlet air (HVAB).
7.1.5 Dimensions
Dimensions: 1.80 x 0.580 x 0.7 m
7.1.6 Required services
- Power supply: 220V / 50Hz.

7.2 THEORY
7.2.1 Introduction
Despite the fact that there is no agreement adopted all over the world, the
fans can be divided into four big groups, classified according to the pressure they
have to work with:
- Flow pressure fans: up to a pressure about 200 mm of a water column

(mmca) (These are the “fans” strictly speaking).
- Medium pressure fans: between 200 and 800 mmca (known as

“blowers”.
- High-pressure fans: between 800 and 2500 mmca (turboblowers).
- Very high-pressure fans: higher than 2500 mmca (turbocompressors).
On the other hand, a classification of all these fans can be made, according
to the flow outlet direction. Thus:
- Radial flow fans (centrifugal).
- Semi-axial flow fans (helicocentrifugal).
- Axial flow fans.

Fans types depending on the flow direction
7.2.2 Axial fans
The blades of the fans get the flow to be moved in a parallel direction to the
axis, on which they turn, and are less noisy than their radial “competitors”.
Three main types of axial fans can be mentioned: helicoidal, tubular and
tubular with guide vanes.
- The helicoidal fans are used to move air with little load loss, and its
more common application is the ventilation in general. They are
manufactured with two types of blades: disc blades, for fans without
any duct, and narrow blades, which should overcome low resistances
(less than 25 mmca). Their performances are very influenced by the
resistance presented by the airflow. A small pressure increase makes an
important reduction of the flow.
- The tubular fans hold a helix with narrow blades and constant section or
with an aerodynamic side-view (lift wing) mounted in a cylindrical
casing. They do not have usually any mechanism to rectify the airflow.
The tubular fans may move the air by moving moderate resistances (less
than 50 mmca).
- The tubular fans with guide vanes have got an helix of blades with a
aerodynamic side-view, mounted on a cylindrical casing that normally
holds airflow fan blades on the helix impulse side. Those have a higher
output, compared with other types of axial fans and may develop
pressures over 200 mmca. They are limited to the cases in which the
work is made with clean air. The guide vanes have as performance to
eliminate the rotation existent or acquired by the flow in the equipment,
at the inlet of the runner or when passing through the latter. These guide
vanes may be put at the inlet or at the outlet of the runner, even if there
are mobile ones. The guide vanes have to be calculated properly
because they produce an additional pressure loss that may make
conditional on the rest of the equipment, although they achieve better
airflow characteristics making that the fan works in better conditions.
Besides, they may be counterproductive when there are important
changes of the design flow.
7.2.3 Basic definitions
 Flow (Q).
The flow of a fan is the air mass that it can move in a time unit. It is usually
represented in m3/h.
 Dynamic pressure (Pd).
It is the force per surface unit produced by the movement of air and it
moves in the same direction as the one of that air. Dynamic pressure corresponds to
kinetic energy at the outlet. Dynamic pressure is always positive.
1
Pd  *  S * VS2
2
 Static pressure (Pe).
Static pressure is the pressure done by the air over the walls of the conduct
in a perpendicular direction to these.
Pressure is positive when is higher than the atmospheric one and negative
when it is lower. Static pressure corresponds to gage pressure at the fan outlet.
Pe  PS  Patm
 Total pressure (Pt).
It is the addition of dynamic and static pressures.
Pt  Pe  Pd
The units of pressure normally used in fans are mm of water column

(mmH2O).
1mmH2O = 9.80665 Pa
7.2.4. Calculation of the flow with a hole plate
In order to measure the flow, the equation of Bernoulli is used:
2 2
V1 P V P
Z1   1  Z2  2  2
2g  2g 
Where  =  * g is the specific weight.
But for the measurer of orifice plate: Z1=Z2, so that the basic equation of
Bernoulli is simplified to:
P1  P2 V2  V1
2 2

 2g
Because of the continuity of the flow:
A1  V1  A2  V2
A1
V2   V1
A2
Q  CD  A 2
1
 2g 
P1  P2 
A 
2

1   2 
 A1 
The value attributed to CD = 0.63 for an orifice plate.
In order to calculate the hole area starting from a determined pressure fall
(P) and a flow (Q), we clear A2 from the previous equation:
1
A 2  K  A1 
A12  K 2
Q
K
P
C D  2g

0.3 p 24  f 24  pd 4
f 24  0.015  1.26R e  0.95R e 0.12
Where: Q is measured in (m3/s), Z height in (m), A surface in (m2), V

speed in (m/s), g =gravity acceleration is 9,8 m/s 2 and P pressure in (N/m2 = Pa).
7.2.5. Test with outlet duct and hole plate
In this test, the measurement is not made with a Pitot tube, but with static
pressure measurements. Thus, an orifice plate is needed to seal in order to measure
the pressure falls. Therefore the calculations will be something different, because the
expandability coefficients and the flow coefficient must be taken into consideration
The coefficients are given by the ratio between truncated cone nozzles.
0.986  0.196 4.5

 Flow coefficient
1   
4 0.5
0.5
 
  1  rpd y 
y 1
 y  rpd
2/ y
  1  4
    Expandability
 y  1   1   4  rpd
2/ y   1  r 
     pd

The relationship of them is:
    0.96
0.2
    1  0.5R e
For 20 000<Re<300 000 For Re>300 000
In this test, an areas straightener is used, which has a relationship between

the friction coefficient and the pressure fall due to the above-mentioned straightener.
This relationship is different from the cells straightener one:
0.3
f 24  0.015  1.26R e  0.95R e 0.12 p 24  f 24  pd 4
7.2.6. Typical curve of fans
The typical curve of a fan is the graphic union of some flow axes and the
static pressure for the different trials. This curve will represent the totality of possible
working points of the fan.
In any typical curve, we can observe how the flow Q, represented at the x-
axis, decreases as static pressure increases (Pe) at the y-axis, being the maximal flow
when the static pressure is 0, what is called free discharge. In this way, we can
observe that the curve of the fan provides us, in a graphical way, the flows that the
fan can generate according to the chosen pressure.
Figure 4: Curve Pressure vs flow
The typical curves of a fan are similar to those on a pump, but they are
usually expressed as P according to Q. Its form depends specially, as in the pumps
case, on the type of machine and the design of the actuator or runner. It is rather
usual to see centrifugal fans of high pressure with a curve in chair-shape (a relative
minimum). A typical curve is shown of this type is shown on the figure.
An important part of the pressure supplied by the fan is not dynamic

pressure, Pd, because the outlet speed of the fluid is usually higher than the pump one.
In this way, the total pressure jump supplied by a fan is the addition of the
dynamic pressure jump and the static jump:
PPdPe
In the case of an installation in which a fan aspirates from the atmosphere

and propels air through a conduct as the one indicated in the figure, the static and
dynamic pressure jumps can be easily calculated.
The static, dynamic and total pressure ratio that can exist on a fan,
changing the flow with the seal can be represented with some typical graphs. The
absorbed power can also be represented regarding the flow as follows:
Typical curve of the fan

7.2.7. Fan output calculation
The fan output can be measured from the power generated by the fan itself
and its ratio of the efficacy. This one can be calculated easily as follows:
Pf  Q  p t
Power generated by a fan:
PF Q  p t
E  
PA pA
Total output of a fan: it is the ratio between the generated power and the
absorbed one. The fan static output can be also calculated:
p 
e  E  e 
 pt 
7.2.8. Non-dimensional relations. Fan scaling
Even assuming that air viscosity effects on a fan are despicable, the power
and pressure increase generated by this device depend on the gas density, on the
flow, on the angular speed of the fan and finally, on the runner diameter of such
device.
The dimensional analysis supplies the following adimensional parameters,

which correspond to the energy exchange on a fan:
P
Cp 
  n  D2
2
Q
CQ 
n  D3
W
CW 
  n 3  D5
Where: P is the pressure, W the power,  the density, n the revs per second
at which the runner turns, Q the flow, D the runner diameter, Cp the pressure
adimensional coefficient, CQ the flow adimensional coefficient and CW the power
adimensional coefficient.
The non-dimensional parameters allow drawing the fan curve for different
rotation speeds. The adimensional parameters allow knowing how the fan behaviour
with a similar geometry will be. However, it will be with a different runner diameter,
with a different rotation speed, or with a different flow density.
2 2
 n  D 
P2  P1  2   2    2 
1  n 1   D 1 
7.2.9. Error made when disregarding the air compressibility
The difference between a fan and a turbocompressor lies in the magnitude

order of the pressure changes inside a fan. In a fan, the changes are so small that the
gas may be considered almost uncompressible.
The dividing line between a fan and a turbocompressor can be considered

as:
P
Cp 
  n  D2
2
On low-power fans, a conventional dividing line can be considered on 800

mm c a.
As far as high-quality and high power modern fans are concerned, the
conventional dividing line is established by the regulation VDI 2044 in 300 mm c a.
The gas pressure can be calculated to find out the magnitude of the error
made when disregarding the compressibility effects, and when supposing that its
incompressibility exists or that it does not. The gas changes according to the ideal
adiabatic-reversible process. For a compressible flow, when a net null change of
kinetic and potential energy is admitted through the device, the useful work supplied
by each mass unit is evaluated using the formula:
 1
 
P2
 P1  P2  
 1
1
Yc   dp    
     P 
1 1  1 
P1
 
That, when it is supposed to be an incompressible one, the result is:
P
YI 

Nevertheless, the previous term p 2/p1 can be defined according to the

pressure increase as:
P2 P
1
P1 P1
In order to develop in series the square bracket of the previous expression.

Once some lower order terms have been substituted and eliminate, the result is:
   1 
  1 2 
 P1   1  P   P  P  1 P 
YC        ...  1   
  1 1    P1 2  1
P   P1  2  P1 
  
  
Therefore, the error in parts per one coming from the incompressible
approximation is:
YC  Y1 1
 1
YC 1 P
1 
2 P1
That can be represented according to the pressure increase supplied by the

fan.
Error made when disregarding the compressibility.

7.3. LABORATORY PRACTICAL EXERCISES
7.3.1. Practical exercise 1: Calculation of the flow on a hole plate
7.3.1.1. Objective
Study of the airflow obtained in an orifice plate.
7.3.1.2. Practical development
1. Switch on the unit and select the fan speed to the maximum, 100%.
2. Close the adjustable orifice and record the value of the pressure drop in
the plate.
3. Use the following equation and calculate the flow.
Q  CD  A 2
1
 2g 
P1  P2 
A 
2

1   2 
 A1 
Where: CD is the discharge coefficient, equal to 0.63; A2 is the transverse

area of the orifice; A1 is the inside area of the pipe through which air flows; g is the
gravity acceleration and  is the specific weight of air.
7.3.1.3. Tables and results
Write down the results on the following table:
Test P (Pa) Q (m3/s)
7.3.1.4. Conclusions and comments
In order to calculate the surface of the pipe and orifice plate, it is necessary
to measure inner diameters with a calliper.
7.3.2. Practical exercise 2: Calculation of the flow through a symmetrical seal.

Test with outlet duct and nozzle
7.3.2.1. Objective
Study of the flow obtained in an adjustable orifice.
The fan inlet must have no obstacles.
Configuration corresponding to an outlet duct and orifice plate
1. Switch on the unit and set the pump speed to the 100%.
2. Close little by little the flow regulation orifice and measure the pressure
drop.
3. Apply the equations described according to the test to obtain the volume,
the flow speed and the different pressures: total, dynamic and static.
4. In the same way, for each flow datum, the output and power absorbed by
the fan should be obtained.
About ten different data must be taken in order to measure different flow
ranges. The first datum must be zero flow (orifice 100% closed) and the maximum
flow (orifice completely open) that would be the one corresponding to the outlet or to
the free inlet.
The user must be careful, since as soon as the orifice is open enough,
pressures do not change, so the opening is the maximum at that moment.
7.3.2.3. Tables y results
Fill in the following table with the obtained data. It is necessary to create
one table depending on which one of the four tests is performed.
Test Pe4/Pa P/Pa Pd/Pa Q /m3/s PE/W ηE ηe
10
The relationship between the total, static and dynamic pressure must follow
the relationships described before. A fan curve equivalent to the one described in the
annex must be obtained.
7.3.3. Practical exercise 3: Calculation of the fan output
7.3.3.1. Objective
The objective of this practical exercise is to calculate the power transmitted

by the fan at each working point and to compare it with the fan electricity
consumption, so that the fan efficiency can be calculated.
1. Operate following the same procedure from the practical exercise 1,

changing the fan speed.
2. Calculate the power supplied and the efficacy using the formulas
previously indicated for the following equation:
p 
e  E  e 
 pt 
PF Q  p t
Pf  Q  p t E  
PA pA
3. Calculate the output for each point according to the following equation:
P

Pe
7.3.3.3. Results and tables
Fill in the next table with the obtained data.

R.P.M Pe/Pa Pd/Pa Pt/Pa Q /m3/s PE/W ηE ηe
Fan
Plot the power supplied by the fan (W) and the power consumed by the fan
(W).
Plot the output curve versus flow.
In the HVAC unit the software is designed in such a way that the fan
typical curve is represented taking enough data about the flow and the pressure for a
specific speed of the pump.
The efficiency can be obtained through the calculation with the equations
shown.
7.3.4. Practical exercise 4: Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up
7.3.4.1. Objective
Study of the behaviour of fans with the same characteristics working at

different speeds.
Starting from the maximum power, choose different speed levels and
create the pressure-flow curves and the output curves for each speed.
7.3.4.3. Results and tables
The results must be obtained and the tables must be filled in as in the
previous practical exercises.
Once the outputs and the flows have been obtained, the table must be filled
in:
Nº Speed (rpm) Pe/Pa Pd/Pa Pt/Pa Q /m3/s PE/W
10
Check that the pressure increase is proportional to n 2, the flow is

proportional to n and the power is proportional to n 3.
7.4. ANNEXES
7.4.1. Annex I: Fan curve
Curve of the static pressure vs. fan flow

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PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 1 / 31

7 PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL..........................................................................................2

7.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT ............................................................................................... 2

7.2 THEORY ................................................................................................................................... 8

7.3. LABORATORY PRACTICAL EXERCISES........................................................................ 22

7.4. ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................... 31

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 2 / 31

7 PRACTICAL EXERCISES MANUAL

7.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT

A fan is a turbo machine in which the impelled flow is a gas (a

These extremely useful devices have many applications, according to their

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 3 / 31

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 4 / 31

Benchtop unit that includes:

1. Adjustable axial fan. Range: 0-7000 r.p.m.

2. Straight conduit made of PMMA with an internal diameter of 95 mm. it

3. Orifice plate with pressure takings.

4. Adjustable orifice by three knurled screws.

5. Differential manometer connected to the tunnel and to the atmospheric

6. Weather station to measure room temperature, pressure and humidity.

7. Differential manometer connected to the orifice plate. Range: 0 – 3”

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 5 / 31

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 6 / 31

7.1.3 Practical possibilities

1- Flow calculation through the measurement of the static, dynamic and

2- Typical curve of a fan calculation at a constant turning speed according

3- Fan output calculation.

4- Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up.

 Anodised aluminium frame and metallic elements made of stainless

 Main metallic elements made of stainless steel.

 Diagram in the front panel with distribution of the elements similar

 Axial fan. Range: 0-6000 r.p.m.

 Conduit made of PMMA with internal diameter of 95mm.

 Three differential pressure sensors (HVAC) or two differential

 Weather station, with room temperature, pressure and humidity

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 7 / 31

Dimensions: 1.80 x 0.580 x 0.7 m

7.1.6 Required services

- Power supply: 220V / 50Hz.

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 8 / 31

- Flow pressure fans: up to a pressure about 200 mm of a water column

- Medium pressure fans: between 200 and 800 mmca (known as

- High-pressure fans: between 800 and 2500 mmca (turboblowers).

- Very high-pressure fans: higher than 2500 mmca (turbocompressors).

- Radial flow fans (centrifugal).

- Semi-axial flow fans (helicocentrifugal).

- Axial flow fans.

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 9 / 31

Fans types depending on the flow direction

7.2.2 Axial fans

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 10 / 31

7.2.3 Basic definitions

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 11 / 31

 Dynamic pressure (Pd).

 Total pressure (Pt).

It is the addition of dynamic and static pressures.

Pt  Pe  Pd

The units of pressure normally used in fans are mm of water column

Unit ref.: HVAC / HVAB Date: June 2014 Pg: 12 / 31

7.2.4. Calculation of the flow with a hole plate

In order to measure the flow, the equation of Bernoulli is used:

Where  =  * g is the specific weight.

Because of the continuity of the flow: