CENTRIFUGAL FAN,

BLOWERS AND
COMPRESSORS
 INTRODUCTION

Centrifugal Fans, Blowers, and Compressors are all

devices that move fluids across an adverse pressure
difference, i.e., from a region of lower pressure to a
region of higher pressure. The fluid may require the
higher pressure to overcome frictional losses in
subsequent piping, to participate in a high-pressure
operation. Or the objective may lie on the inlet side
of the device where it is desired to maintain vacuum
in some region, in which case the pressure on the
outlet side may simply be atmospheric. In any of
these cases there may or may not be a change in net
velocity.
THEORY BEHIND CENTRIFUGAL FAN,
BLOWERS AND COMPRESSORS
Centrifugal Fan, Blowers and Compressors are
machines used to transport gasses, and change their
fluid properties, especially the properties related to
pressure. In many industrial applications, these
devices can be found because air or some other gas is
used as the working fluid, and it needs to be
transported from one component to another and may
need an increment in the pressure too.

Any HVAC system, turbine engine, or a system

operating on a cycle using a gas as the working fluid
uses compressors, such as turbine engines.
 CENTRIFUGAL FAN

Centrifugal Force

•A centrifugal fan is a mechanical device for moving

air or other gases. These fans increase the speed of
air stream with the rotating impellers. Centrifugal
fan use a rotating impeller to move air first radially
outward towards by centrifugal action, and then
tangentially away from the blade tips.
•Gas stream moves perpendicular to the axis of
rotation.
 HOW CENTRIFUGAL FAN WORK

Air enters a centrifugal fan impeller axially, then passes through

the impeller radially, the airflow is then collected in the volute
casing and discharged at right angles to the inlet flow. As the
impeller rotates, the air contained within the blade passage is forced
outwards due to the centrifugal force. This process happens
continually producing a continuous flow through the impeller.
 CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER

•Centrifugal Blower are high-speed rotary

devices (using either positive displacement
or centrifugal force) that develop a
maximum pressure of about 2 atm.
•Centrifugal Blower provide a steady
volume of air to supply energy-efficient
pressure or vacuum.
 HOW CENTRIFUGAL BLOWER WORK

Air enters at the center of a spinning impeller, and is divided

between the impeller’s vanes. As the impeller turns, it
accelerates the air outwards using centrifugal force. This high-
velocity air is then diffused and slowed down in the
surrounding blower housing to create pressure.  The pressure
or vacuum offers a wide range of volumetric flows possible due
to the geometry of the open impeller.
 CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR

•Increase the kinetic energy of the gas with

a high-speed impeller and then convert this
energy into increased pressure in a
divergent outlet passage called the diffuser.
Centrifugal compressors are particularly
suited for compressing large volumes of gas
to moderate pressures.
HOW CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR
WORK

Air is drawn into the center of a rotating impeller

with radial blades and is pushed toward the center by
centrifugal force. This radial movement of air results
in a pressure rise and the generation of kinetic
energy. Before the air is led into the center of the
impeller, the kinetic energy is also converted into
pressure by passing through a diffuser and volute.
Centrifugal Centrifugal
Fan Blower

Centrifugal
Compressor
PERFORMANCE OF
CENTRIFUGAL FAN,
BLOWERS AND
COMPRESSORS
 PERFORMANCE OF CENTRIFUGAL FAN
Centrifugal fans use one of 4 basic fan blade types: Radial, Forward Curve,
Backward Curve and Airfoil.

Each type has its own application range and limits. Modifications of theses basic
types include radial tip, mixed flow and tangential flow.

With a centrifugal fan, air is generally turns at least one corner as it provides work to
the airstream. However, there are exceptions, such as transverse blowers and inline
centrifugal.
Centrifugal fans are designed and used to several unit of pressure.
PERFORMANCE PRINCIPLE

The centrifugal fan uses the centrifugal power supplied from the rotation of
impellers to increase the kinetic energy of air/gases. When the impellers rotate, the
gas particles near the impellers are thrown-off from the impellers, then moves into
the fan casing. As a result, the kinetic energy of gas is measured as pressure because
of the system resistance offered by the casing and duct. The gas is then guided to the
exit via outlet ducts. After the gas is thrown-off, the gas pressure in the middle
region of the impellers decreases. The gas from the impeller eye rushes in to
normalize this. This cycle repeats and therefore the gas can be continuously
transferred.
 PERFORMANCE OF CENTRIFUGAL
BLOWERS
Blowers are mechanical or electro-mechanical devices used to induce gas flow through
ducting, electronics chassis, process stacks, etc. wherever flow is needed for exhausting,
aspirating, cooling, ventilating, conveying, and so on.

Blowers cool electronic enclosures, induce drafts in boilers, increase airflow on engines,
and are configured in a variety of designs such as centrifugal flow or rotary lobe styles.
Motors usually drive blowers, though they can be powered by other means such as
engines.
APPLICATIONS
 Combustion Air Supplies
 Cooling and Drying Systems
 Fluid Bed Aerators
 Dust Control
 Pneumatic Conveying
 Sewage Aeration
 Filter Flushing
 Gas Boosting
PERFORMANCE PRINCIPLE

Blowers are specified on the basis of pressure and flow rate. As mentioned, the ratio of
system inlet pressure and outlet pressure determines whether a fan or blower should be
picked according to strict definition, although the terms are sometimes used
synonymously. Where higher pressures are needed, a designer may have to select a
positive displacement machine over a centrifugal type. Manufacturers often publish fan
performance curves or similar charts which help the designer to narrow his choice to one
or several models that match requirements.
PERFORMANCE OF CENTRIFUGAL
COMPRESSORS

The centrifugal compressors have a wide range of applications especially for power plants for small
aircraft and helicopters, in process industries, compression of gases and vapours, and refrigeration,
because they can provide high-pressure ratios and large operating ranges with relatively high
efficiencies. Centrifugal compressors are used primarily for their suitability for handling small
volume flows, but other advantages include a shorter length than an equivalent axial flow
compressor, less susceptibility to loss of performance by buildup of deposits on the blade surfaces,
and their suitability to operate over a wide range of mass flow. The efficiency of a centrifugal
compressor is lower than that of an axial flow compressor.
The Principle of Centrifugal Compression: Aero-Dynamics

1. The air reaches the center of the impeller.

2. Air is forced outward by centrifugal force.
3. Diffuser gradually reduces the air velocity.
4. Velocity energy is converted to higher pressure.
PERFORMANCE PRINCIPLE

Compressors are work absorbing device, they need a external agency to do some work…

Before going to the concept of Centrifugal Compressors, we need to have basic

knowledge of fluid and mechanical principles governing the energy transfer used in
centrifugal compressors. There exists vast number of machines which use air, steam and
gas as working mediums.

The density of fluids gets changed with a change in temperature, as well as pressure.
Pressure will be given the main role play in Centrifugal compressors. So the equations of
energy transfer and the equations relating to Pressure, Temperature and Density must be
considered.
TYPES OF COMPRESSOR
 TWO CATEGORIES OF
COMPRESSORS
•Positive Displacement Compressors
-Positive displacement compressors draw in and capture a
volume of air in a chamber, then reduce the volume of the
chamber to compress the air. Reciprocating Piston
Compressors, Rotary Screw Compressors, Rotary Vane
Compressors, and Scroll Compressors are all positive
displacement compressors.
•Dynamic Compressors
-Rather than physically reducing the volume of a captured
pocket of air, dynamic displacement compressors instead speed
up the air to high velocity, and then restrict the air flow so that
the reduction in velocity causes pressure to increase. They are
oil-free by nature, and some are oil-less. Dynamic compressors
include axial and centrifugal types.
 TYPES OF
COMPRESSORS
1.) RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
-A reciprocating compressor is a positive-displacement
machine that uses a piston to compress a gas and deliver it
at high pressure. They are often some of the most critical
and expensive systems at a production facility, and deserve
special attention. Gas transmission pipelines,
petrochemical plants, refineries and many other industries
all depend on this type of equipment.
2.) ROTARY COMPRESSORS WITH
LIQUID SEALS
-Rotary compressors are the another type of compressors.
It uses two Asymmetrical rotors that are also called helical
screws to compress the air.

The rotors have a very special shape and they turn in

opposite directions with very little clearance between
them. The rotors are covered by cooling jackets. Two
shafts on the rotors are placed that transfer their motion
with the help of timing gears that are attached at the
starting point of the shafts/compressor.
3.) ROTARY COMPRESSORS
WITHOUT LIQUID SEALS
-Are compressors built in sizes up to 5000cubic feet per
minute and are suitable for moderate vacua (plural for
vacuum) not less than 15 in. Hg absolute and for moderate
pressures of 5 to 20 psi
4.) CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS
-A centrifugal compressor is a type of dynamic
compressor, or turbo compressor, with a radial design.
Unlike displacement compressors that work at a constant
flow, dynamic compressors work at a constant pressure
and the performance is affected by external conditions
such as changes in inlet temperatures.

So, how does a centrifugal compressor work?

Air is drawn into the center of a rotating impeller with

radial blades and is pushed toward the center by
centrifugal force. This radial movement of air results in a
pressure rise and the generation of kinetic energy. Before
the air is led into the center of the impeller, the kinetic
energy is also converted into pressure by passing through a
diffuser and volute.
5.) AXIAL FLOW COMPRESSORS
-An axial-flow compressor is a type of compressor in
which the working fluid, such as air, is compressed in a
series of stages as it flows axially (parallel with the axis of
rotation), through a decreasing tubular area. Axial
compressors are widely used in gas turbines, such as those
in jet engines, high speed ship engines, and small scale
power stations. They are also used in industrial
applications such as large volume air separation plants,
blast furnace air, fluid catalytic cracking air, and propane
dehydrogenation.
6.) HYDRAULIC JET COMPRESSORS
-Are primarily employed for vacuum pump
service requiring 1 to 4in Hg absolute
pressure and capacities of 1000cubic feet
per minute at suction conditions.
7.) VAPOR JET COMPRESSORS
-Are used for both exhauster and blower
service steam as the usual actuating fluid

It is also sometimes called vapor

compression distillation (VCD). If
compression is performed by a
mechanically driven compressor or blower,
this evaporation process is usually referred
to as MVR (mechanical vapor
recompression). In case of compression
performed by high pressure motive steam
ejectors, the process is usually called
thermocompression or steam compression.
COMMON USES OF FANS,
TYPES OF FAN AND FAN IN
PARALLEL/SERIES DATA CONNECTION AND DETAILS
 SERIES
The series operation is defined as using
two or more fans in series.
An additional fan in series increases the
volume flow in a higher static pressure
enclosure.
In series operation, the best results are
achieved in systems with high resistance.
In series operation, fans are installed in series
close to each other like in push-pull
arrangement, so that the first fan in series
supplies air pressure into the inlet of the
second fan. If the fans have the same system
resistance, then together they produce a
greater pressure difference.
In series operation, each fan will have
different inlet pressures. Since the first fan
pressurizes the gas before supplying it to the
inlet of the second fan, there is an increase in
the specific weight of the gas at the inlet of the
second fan.
PARALLEL
The parallel operation is defined as using
two or more fans side by side.
If the parallel fans are applied to the
higher system resistance situation. The less
increase in flow results with parallel fan
operation.
This type of application is only recommended
for the low system resistance situation
Unlike in series operation where typically two
fans are involved, parallel operation use
multiple fan systems arranged together side by
side. In parallel arrangement of two fans, each
fan is selected for half of the design flow rate.
Parallel configurations are feasible for systems
with large changes in air / gas moving
requirements. When fans are in parallel, the
combined performance of fans will result in
increase in the volume of airflow.
FANS IN SERIES OPERATION
(CONTINUED)
The air pressure doesn't simply double when two fans with the same capacity are operated in
series arrangement. However, by arranging two fans in series, the static pressure capability of a
given airflow can be increased. Since the individual performance of each fan is not the same,
the fans will handle the same mass flow of air but not volumetric flow rate. Series arrangement
is suitable to high resistance systems, that have long ducts or large pressure drops across system
components. When fans are coupled in series, it is not advisable to run one fan with the other
off as the pressure drop across it will make the other fan inefficient.

FANS IN PARALLEL OPERATION

(CONTINUED)
The higher the system resistance, the lesser will be the gain in airflow rate. Hence, parallel
configurations are generally not recommended for high-resistance systems. Parallel
arrangements are suitable for applications where fans can operate in a low resistance almost in
a free delivery condition. To achieve better efficiency, fans in parallel system must be properly
sized, should start simultaneously and brought up to speed at the same rate. For controlling the
airflow requirement, fans in parallel can utilize additional equipment such as dampers, variable
speed drives or variable inlet vanes.
 TYPES OF
FANS
Propeller fan
Propeller fans may have many different blade shapes and
number of blades. They generally have relatively small hubs.
They may or may not have a housing. Housings are in the form
of a panel with an orifice in it. The panel is mounted in a wall
so that air does not re-circulate from the discharge back to the
inlet. Pressures are normally less than one inch of static
pressure with very high flow rate. These fans are best suited for
circulating air, supplying and exhausting clean ambient air
from/to large spaces
Centrifugal fan

These fans are the most efficient of the centrifugal designs.

Static efficiencies peak at around 80 percent and occur around
60 percent of free delivery. Their performance characteristic
curve is stable over a wide range. The fan horsepower curve is
non-overloading. The fan design is suitable for all forms of
control methods.
Forward curved centrifugal fan

This fan is generally wider with shallow scooped blades making

it well suited for handling high flow rates at low pressures. The
design is limited primarily to lower speeds and temperatures
due to stress levels. Some designs incorporate internal struts for
added stiffness during starts and stops.
Vane axial fan

These fans are well suited for high flow rates at low to moderate
pressures up to six inches of water. There are several blade
variations as to shape, numbers and whether they are fixed,
adjustable or controllable blade pitch. The fans are
characterized with large hubs and straightening vanes. The
airflow is straight through, saving space
Mixed flow inline fan

The wheel design is a combination of axial and centrifugal

components. It operates most efficiently in the range between a
vane axial and a centrifugal satisfying applications for moderate
flow rates and moderate pressures. The housing is similar to a
vane axial incorporating guide vanes and straight through flow
thus saving space. The fan’s main advantages are its lower
sound levels and high operating efficiencies.
Radial tipped fan

These fans have efficiencies in the 60 to 75 percent range and

have a higher pressure characteristic than most fans. The
horsepower curve rises constantly from shut-off to free delivery.
Due to turbulence and the blade shape, these fans can handle
contaminants in the air stream. Wheels often incorporate wear
protection for longer life. These fans can be modified or
designed to accommodate high temperature