CENTRIFUGAL FAN

Presentation
By
ABHIJIT KASATKAR
 INDEX

1. Introduction
2. Types of Fan
3. Basic Definitions
4. Application-Centrifugal Fan
5. Components of Centrifugal Fan
3. Fan Laws
5. Understanding Centrifugal fan curves
9. Surge, Stall & Instabilities in Fans
10. Temperature, Altitude effect on Fans
11. Arrangement, Rotation, Discharge & Motor Position- Centrifugal Fan
12. Advantages & Disadvantages of Fan Arrangements
11. Flow Control methods
13. API-673 (Specific Clauses)
Cont….

14. Fan Accessories & Instrumentation

15. Shaft Sealing System
16. High Temperature Fans
18. Spark Resistance Fan Construction
19. Enquiry
20. Typical Vendors
1. Introduction

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) uses the specific ratio, which is the ratio
of the discharge pressure over the suction pressure, to define fans, blowers and compressors.

Equipment Specific Ratio Pressure Rise (mmWG)

Fan Up to 1.11 1136
Blower 1.11 to 1.20 1136 - 2066
Compressor More than 1.20

1
Introduction Cont……

Fans are mainly classified into two categories

1. Axial Flow Fan
2. Centrifugal Flow Fan

Axial Flow Fans are usually considered for low resistance applications
because of their ability to move large quantities of air at low pressure.
Axial Flow fans are generally classified as Tube Axial & Vane Axial Fans.

Centrifugal Flow fans are used for job requiring a greater head, where
moving air encounters high frictional resistance.
2. Basic Definitions

1. Static Pressure is that portion of the air pressure which exists by virtue
of the degree of compression only.
2. Velocity Pressure is that portion of the air pressure which exists by
virtue of the rate of motion only.
3. Total Pressure is the air pressure that exists by virtue of the degree of
compression and the rate of motion. It is the algebraic sum of the
velocity pressure and the static pressure at a point.
4. Fan Total Pressure (Pt) is the difference between the total pressure at
the fan outlet and the total pressure at the fan inlet.
Pt =Pt2 – Pt1
5. Fan Velocity Pressure (Pv) is the pressure corresponding to the average
velocity at the specified fan outlet area.
Pv = Pv2
Basic Definitions……

6. Fan Static Pressure (P,) is the difference between the fan total pressure and
the fan velocity pressure. Therefore, the fan static pressure is the difference
between the static pressure at the fan outlet and the total pressure at the fan
inlet.
Ps = Pt-Pv = Pt2-Pt1-Pv2 = Ps2+ Pv2-Pt1-Pv2 = Ps2-Pt1
7. Fan Static Pressure Rise (is the static pressure at the fan outlet minus the
static pressure at the fan inlet.
The difference between fan static pressure and static pressure rise is the
inlet velocity pressure.
Basic Definitions……
3. Applications……….

Centrifugal Fans are used in many commercial & Industrial applications.

For the commercial market Centrifugal Fans are providing supply, exhaust
& return air in Hospitals, schools, stores and large office buildings.

Industrial duty fans handle applications like filtration systems, fume

exhaust, fluid pressurization, combustion air, and material handling, as
well as supply and exhaust. Many of these applications are in corrosive
and abrasive high temperature on high pressure environments
Typical Industrial Applications of various types of fans

Applications Tube Vane Axial Radial Forward- Backward Airfoil

Axial Curved Curved
Conveying Systems X X
supplying air for oil X X X X X X
& gas burner or
combustion
furnaces

Boosting Gas X X X
Press.
Ventilating Process X X X X
Plant
Boilers Forced Draft X X X

Boilers Induced X X
Draft
Typical Application cont……

Applications Tube Vane Axial Radial Forward- Backward Airfoil

Axial Curved Curved
Kiln Exhaust X X
Kiln Supply X X X
Cooling Tower X
Dust collector & X X
electro static
precipitators
Process Drying X X X X X

Reactor off gases or X X

stack emission
4. Components of Centrifugal fan

3
4

5
Types of Centrifugal Fan

Centrifugal fans are classified as per blade configuration

1. Radial Curved – “Steel plate” or “Paddle Wheel” are two of the common names for Radial
blade fans. The Impeller are generally narrower, deeper & heavier than forward & backward
inclined blades. A radial blade impeller usually comprises of six to twelve equally spaced flat
blades extended radially from center of the hub. These are the medium speed fans and are used
to deliver low air volumes at medium to high pressure.
The main advantage of radial blade fan lies in its simple but rugged construction. They are
ideal for high static pressure application and for handling air stream containing a high level of
particulate.
Cont….

Forward curved Fans - These are sometimes known as “Volume”, “Squirrel Cage” or “
Sirrocco” blower

The concave blade curvature faces the direction of rotation.

These fans operate at relatively low speed & pressure which
permit light construction of the rotor, shaft, bearing and housing.
The advantage of the forward curve fan is its low speed and
quiet operation. The light construction results in a small fan
requiring minimum space, making it ideal for residential &
commercial heating and cooling applications.
Disadvantages are that its high power requirements at or near
free delivery & its construction limits its suitability for most
industrial requirements.
Cont……

Backward Curved Fans – These are called as “load limiting” or “Non overloading” fans.

The impeller blades are larger and heavier than forward curve blades,
usually number from eight to twelve, and are inclined away from the
direction of rotation.
They are standardly offered in three blade shapes:
1. Flat single thickness
2. Curved single thickness
3. Curved airfoil
The backward inclined family of fans has the highest operating speeds
of all the centrifugal fans. While this is a desirable feature for direct
connection to modern “high speed” motor or turbine drives. Their high
operating speed requires heavier construction and precision balancing,
making them fairly expensive compared to forward curve fans. Also,
the close running clearances required to maintain fan performance
makes them unsuitable for material handling. However, in single
thickness blade construction they can be used in light dust and
corrosive air
Cont……

These fans are used primarily in the industrial market for ventilation, clean side of commercial air
cleaning devices, furnace draft and large commercial heating and cooling units.
Fan Class

 AMCA standard 99-2408-69-R83 categorizes centrifugal fans into three

performance classes.
 Class I
 Class II
 Class III
based on the certain minimum operating criteria.
Cont……

Operating limits for Single

Width backwardly inclined
Centrifugal Fan.
Fan Laws

The fans operate under a predictable set of laws concerning speed,

power and pressure. A change in speed (revolutions per minute or
RPM) of any fan will predictably change the pressure rise and power
necessary to operate it at the new RPM.

1. CFM varies as RPM Q1 / Q2 = N1 / N2

2. SP varies as RPM Square SP1 / SP2 = (N1 / N2)2

3. Power varies as RPM cube KW1 / KW2 = (N1 / N2)3

Understanding fan Curves

Static Pressure Curve, Backward inclined Static Pressure / Horsepower Curve,

Centrifugal Backward inclined Centrifugal
Understanding fan Curves

Fan / System Operating Point

Backward Inclined Centrifugal
Performance Characteristics Of Forward Curve Fan

Performance Characteristics of Forward Curve fans

Performance Characteristics Of Backward Curve Fan

Performance Characteristics of Backward Curve fans

Performance Characteristics Of Radial Blade Fan

Performance Characteristics of Radial Blade fans

Surge, Stall & Instabilities in Fan

 Increase in noise
 Increase in vibration
 Structural fatigue damage to the fan due to continuous loading &
unloading of components
 Damage to the ductwork
 Prevents the fan from performing its intended service
Temperature, Altitude effect on Fan

 The fan industry has adopted a standard density of 0.075 lb/ft3 at 70°F at
sea level and at a barometric pressure of 29.92" Hg. All manufacturers’
ratings are made at, or adjusted to, this standard. Whenever a fan is
operated in a system where any or all of these conditions vary, corrections
must be made in order to obtain accurate results.
Arrangement, Rotation, Discharge & Motor Position

 Fan arrangements and classes are industry standards that have been
determined by AMCA Standard 99-2404-03 (Air Movement and Control
Association) to communicate the operating condition that a fan is capable
of, the location of the bearings, and drive configurations.

 Description Fan Configuration Alternative Fan Configuration

 Arrangement 1 SWSI
For belt or direct drive. Impeller
overhung on shaft, two bearings
mounted on pedestal base.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals, with or
without inlet box.
Cont…..

 Arrangement 2 SWSI
For belt or direct drive. Impeller
overhung on shaft, bearings mounted
in bracket supported by the fan
casing.
Alternative: With inlet box.
Cont…..

 Arrangement 3 SWSI
For belt or direct drive. Impeller
mounted on shaft between bearings
supported by the fan casing.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals with inlet
box and designated as Arr. 3 SI.
 Arrangement 3 DWDI
For belt or direct drive. Impeller
mounted on shaft between bearings
supported by the fan casing.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals with inlet
box and designated as Arr. 3 DI.

6
Cont……

 Arrangement 4 SWSI
For direct drive. Impeller overhung
on motor shaft. No bearings on fan.
Motor mounted on base.
Alternative: With inlet box.

 Arrangement 7 SWSI
For coupling drive. Generally the
same as Arrangement 3, with base
for the prime mover.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals with inlet
box and designated as Arr. 7 SI.
Cont…..

 Arrangement 7 DWDI
For coupling drive. Generally the
same as Arrangement 3, with base
for the prime mover.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals with inlet
box and designated as Arr. 7 DI.

 Arrangement 8 SWSI
For direct drive. Generally the same
as Arrangement 1, with base for
the prime mover.
Alternative: Bearings mounted on
independent pedestals, with or
without inlet box.
Cont……

 Arrangement 9 SWSI
For belt drive. Impeller overhung
on shaft, two bearings mounted on
pedestal base. Motor mounted on
the outside of the bearing base.
Alternative: With inlet box.

 Arrangement 10 SWSI
For belt drive. Generally the same
as Arrangement 9 with motor
mounted inside of the bearing pedestal.
Alternative: With inlet box.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Fan Arrangement

 Arrangement 1
Allows versatility, can be direct or belt driven with the motor mounted
on a separate pedestal. Bearings out of the airstream allow for high
temperature operation. The option of using belt drives allows for speed
adjustment in case of a performance deficit. The motor must be mounted
separately or a unitary base is provided.
 Arrangement 2
Same as Arrangement 1, as far as direct or belt driven and speed
adjustment through drive change. In addition, the pedestal bearing is
shorter, which makes a smaller assembly. A shorter pedestal is less
robust at high fan speeds, therefore Arrangement 2 should be used for
low speed fans only. The motor must be mounted separately or a unitary
base is provided.
Cont……

 Arrangement 3
Does not have a pedestal. Bearings are mounted in the inlet and drive,
usually on a bearing bar, so it has a small footprint. Can be direct or belt
driven. Bearings in the airstream. The motor must be mounted separately
or a unitary base is provided. Bearings may be moved out of the airstream
by using inlet boxes but this increases the size of the footprint.
 Arrangement 4
Mounting the impeller on the motor makes a compact assembly, but
restricts airstream temperature. (The airstream temperature will be passed
directly to the motor shaft and bearings.) Generally, Arrangement 4 must
only be used with small fan wheels.
Cont…..

 Arrangement 7
Similar to the Arrangement 3, Arrangement 7 does not have a bearing
pedestal, small footprint, or direct drive, so speed up must be achieved by
using a variable speed device (ie. VFD). Limited to 130° F unless inlet
boxes are used. A motor pedestal may be incorporated in the fan structure.
 Arrangement 8
Offers the same benefits regarding high temperature as Arrangement 1.
The motor pedestal is incorporated into the fan structure.
 Arrangement 9
Speed changes are possible since a belt drive is used. The motor is
mounted on the side of the pedestal to make the fan and driver a compact
unit. Larger motors cannot be mounted in this arrangement or special
provisions must be made.
Cont……

 Arrangement 10
Provides the benefits of belt driven units. The fan and motor are mounted
as a compact unit with the motor inside the bearing pedestal. This
arrangement is usually used with small- to mid-sized fans and motors.
Inlet Box Position for Centrifugal Fan
Cont……

 Notes:
1. Position of inlet box and air entry to inlet box is determined from the
drive side as defined below:
a. On single inlet fans:
The drive side is that side which is opposite of the fan inlet.
b. On double inlet fans:
1. With a single driver: That side with the driver is considered as the
drive side.
2. With multiple drivers: That side with the higher total power is
considered as the drive side. If the total power on each side is equal,
then the side that has the fixed (non-expansion) bearing is considered
as the drive side.
Cont……

2. Position of inlet box is determined in accordance with diagrams. Angle of

air entry to box is referred to the top vertical axis of fan in degrees as
measured in the direction of fan rotation. Angle of air entry to box may be
any intermediate angle as required.
3. Positions 135° to 225° in some cases may interfere with floor structure.
Designation For Rotation & Discharge for Centrifugal Fan
Cont……
Cont……
Cont……
Cont……

 Notes:
1. Direction of rotation and angular reference is determined from the drive
side as defined below:
a. On single inlet fans: The drive side is that side which is opposite of the
fan inlet.
b. On double inlet fans:
1. With a single driver: That side with the driver is considered as the
drive side.
2. With multiple drivers: That side with the higher total power is
considered as the drive side. If the total power on each side is equal, then
the side that has the fixed (non- expansion) bearing is considered as the
drive side.
Cont……

2. Direction of discharge is determined in accordance with diagrams. Angle

of discharge is referred to the top vertical axis of fan and designated in
degrees as measured in the direction of fan rotation. Angle of discharge
may be any intermediate angle as required.

3. A fan inverted for ceiling suspension or rotated for side wall mounting
will have its direction of rotation and angle of discharge determined when
fan is located as if floor mounted.
Motor Positions for Belt Driven Centrifugal Fans

Location of motor
is determined by
facing the drive
side of the fan and
designating the
motor position by
letters W, X, Y,
or Z as the case
may be.
API – 673 (Specific Clauses)

The specific clauses from API 673 are listed below

D:\ABHI TECH REF\Centrifugal Fan\API 673 HIGHLIGHTS.doc

Fan Accessories & Instrumentation

Centrifugal fan package shall include the following accessories

1. Drivers 7
2. Couplings & Guards
3. Belt Drives 8
4. Mounting Plates
5. Controls & Instrumentation
6. Piping
7. Inlet Trash Screen
8. Silencers
9. Space Heaters
10. Fan Dampers
11. Inlet Guide Vane
12. Insulation & Jacketing
13. Turning Gear
14. Instrument & Control Panel
  
Cont……  
 
 
 Coupling Guard & Belt Guard  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
      
          
          
  
Cont……

 Fan Assembly with silencer

                                                                                                                                                   

                
Cont……

 FAN SILENCER

                                                                                                                                                

                                     
Cont……

 Rain hood

                                                                                                                                                   

       
Cont……

 Unit Heaters
Cont……

Inlet Box Damper Outlet Volume control Dampers

Cont……

 Inlet Guide Vanes

Internal Guide Vanes External Guide Vanes

Sealing system

 Shaft seals, including labyrinth, floating bushing, felt or cloth, or

honeycomb types, shall be provided to minimize leakage from or into the
fans
 For hazardous applications dry gas seals are also used in fans.

 When the seal is specified to be in toxic, high pressure, or flammable

service, provision for a centralized buffer gas injection and or eductor
system shall be supplied to minimize leakages.
Types of Flow Control

An installed fan operates at a constant speed. But some situations may

require a speed change, for e.g. more airflow may be needed from the fan
when a new run of duct is added.

Type of Flow Control Advantages Disadvantages

1. Pulley Change- Change the  Permanent  Fan must be able to handle
pulley size.  Real energy reduction. capacity change.
 Fan must be driven by V-
belt system.
2. IGV- Create swirls in the fan  Improve fan efficiency  Less efficient at airflows
direction thereby, lessening  Cost effective at airflows lower than 80% full flow.
the angle between incoming between 80-100% of full flow
air & fan blades & thus
lowering fan load, pressure &
air flow
Cont……
Type of Flow Control
3. Dampers- Reduce the
amount of flow & increases
the pressure, which reduces
fan output.
4. Variable Pitch Fan – Change
the angle between incoming
air flow and blade by tilting
fan blades thereby reducing
both the motor load and air
flow.
Advantages
 Inexpensive
 Easy to install
 Can keep fan efficiency
high over a range of
operating conditions.
 Avoid resonance problem
as normal operating speed is
maintained.
 Can operate from no flow
to full flow condition without
stall problem.
Disadvantages
 Provide limited amount of
adjustment
 Reduce the flow but not the
energy consumption
 Higher operating &
maintenance cost
 Applicable to some axial fan
types only
 Fouling problem
 Operating at low loads for
long period reduces the power
factor & motor efficiency.
Cont……
Type of Flow Control
5. Variable Speed Drive
 Mechanical VSD
 Electrical VSD
6. Operate fans in series-
Using multiple fans in a push
pull arrangement.
Advantages Disadvantages
 Most improved & efficient  Mechanical VSD’s have
flow control fouling problem
 Allow fan speed  Higher investment cost
adjustment over a
continuous range
 Lower avg duct pressure.  Not suited for low resistance
 Lower noise generation system
Lower structural &
electrical support
requirements
 Suited for system with long
ducts, large pressure drops
across system components,
or higher resistance.
Cont……
Type of Flow Control
7. Operate fans in parallel-
Two or more fans in parallel
instead of one large fan.
Advantages
 High efficiencies across
wide variation in system
demand.
 Lower the risk of downtime
 Less expensive
Disadvantages
 Should only be used when
the fans can operate in low
resistance almost in a free
delivery condition.
Spark Resistance Fan Construction

 Introduction
 Where is SRC used?
 How is SRC defined? (As per AMCA 99-0401-86)
Type C Spark
Type B Spark
Type A Spark
High temperature Fans

 Wheel Design
 Shaft, Bearing & Bearing Lubrication
 Shaft Cooler
 Modifications to Motor / Bearing pedestals
 Housing Design
vendors
Design Guideline

 API 673 – Centrifugal fan For Petroleum, Chemical and Gas Industry Services
 BS 848
 AMCA
 PTC-11- Performance Test Code for Fan
END

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