Mapua University

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

ME144L-2

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 2

Experiment #3

CENTRIFUGAL FAN

Cordova, Martin Sydney V. Date Performed: Sept 14, 2023

2021101326 Date Submitted: Sept 21, 2023

ME144L-2/B20

Group 1

Engr. Teodule A. Valle

Professor
 Table of Contents
Objectives 1

Theories and Principles 1

List of Apparatus 2

Procedures 5

Set-up of Apparatus 6

Final Data Sheet 7

Computation 8

Test Data Analysis 9

Question with answers / Problem with solution 10

Conclusion 11

References 12

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OBJECTIVES

 To learn the principles and operation

 To determine the efficiency when subjected to varying discharge.

THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES

Centrifugal fans are constant displacement or constant volume devices, they will pump a
constant volume of air rather than a constant mass at a constant fan speed. This indicates that
even while the mass flow rate through the fan is not fixed, the air velocity in a system is. Positive
displacement devices do not include centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fans and positive-
displacement blowers both have several benefits and drawbacks to consider. One of the most
popular types of fans is the centrifugal fan. The most common type of fan utilized in the HVAC
business today is a centrifugal fan. They are typically easier to build and less expensive than
axial fans. It is utilized in building ventilation systems as well as the transportation of
commodities or gas. They are frequently utilized in central heating and cooling systems as well.
They are also suitable for industrial operations and systems that reduce air pollution. It features a
fan wheel made up of many ribs or fan blades positioned around a hub. The hub rotates on a
driveshaft that goes through the fan housing, as seen in the animated picture. The gas enters the
fan housing from the side of the fan wheel, spins 90 degrees, and accelerates as it passes over the
fan blades thanks to centrifugal force.
Typically, centrifugal fans and blowers feature one of eight different types of wheels that
suck air into the blower housing's inlet, past the wheel, and expel it through the housing's outlet
at a 90-degree angle. Pressure and volume centrifugal blowers are the two most used varieties.
Pressure blowers, which are measured in static pressure water gauge (SPWG), are intended to
pull, or push air at high pressures. Volume Blowers have a lower static pressure than Pressure
Blowers and are made to pull or push bigger quantities of air, measured in cubic feet of air per
minute (CFM). Stainless steel, cast aluminum, or manufactured steel are the most common
materials used to make centrifugal blowers.
The formulas used in this theory are:

1
 heat
TAP=Q∗γ∗PT Q=Velocity of flow rateγ =weight density PT =total V = √ 2 g hair
pressure air
h w∗ρ w Patm
h air = ρair =
ρair Rair ∗T inlet

LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Centrifugal fan

2. Air Tunnel

3. Electric Motor (Single phase, direct coupled)

2
4. H₂O Manometer

5. Pitot tube
6. Tachometer

7. Amprobe
3
8. Set of orifices
9. Thermometer

10. Stopwatch

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PROCEDURE

1. Inspect and familiarize the different parts of a centrifugal fan.

2. Place the orifice with a diameter of 2 ½ inches at the end of the tunnel.
3. Start the motor by switching the main plug to the main AC source.
4. Take the manometer readings of velocity head and static head.
5. Measure current using amprobe, suction and discharge temperatures using digital
thermometer, and the speed using tachometer.
6. Repeat the process for another two trials using the next orifices with the diameter of 4%½
inches and 7 inches respectively.
7. Compute the necessary requirements to complete the data.

5
SETUP OF APPARATUS

6
FINAL DATA SHEET

Trial Orifice Speed Orifice Pressure Ts Td Current FSP TAP Eff %

Diamete (rpm) (°C) (°C) (amp) (W) (W)
Static Velocity
r (cm)
(cm (cm
H2O) H2O)
1 11.43 1630 3.4925 3.81 32 32 3.4 685.8 186.80 Fan =
29.38%
OA =
25.04%
2 16.51 1755 2.54 2.2225 31.7 32.2 3.4 635.8 194.03 Fan =
30.52%
OA =
26.01%

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SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

π 2 π 2 2
A o= D = ( 11.43 ) =102.6082645 c m
4 4
Patm 101.325 kPa kg
Pair = = =1.1575 3 6985 3
( )
RT kPa∗m
3
m
0.287 ( 32+273 ) K
kg K

( )(kg m
)
γ air =(P¿¿ air) ( g )= 1.157536985 3 9.81 2 =11.35543782 3 ¿
m s
N
m

h s=
P (
( water ) ( st )
h
=
)( kg
1000 3 3.4925
m
cm∗1 m
)
100 cm
=30.17182211m
Pair kg
1.157536985 3
m

h v=
(
( P water ) ( h v t )
=
)( kg
1000 3 3. 81
m )
cm∗1m
100 cm
=3 2.91471503 m
Pair kg
1.157536985 3
m
PT =hs + hv =30.17182211+ 32.91471503=63.0865714 m

√( m
V air = √ 2 g hv = 2 9.81
s
2 )
( 32.19471503 m )=25.41233379
m
s

( )( )
2 3
2 1m m m
Q= A o V air =102.6082645 c m ∗ 25.41233379 =0.2607515467
100 cm s s

( )(11.35543782 mN ) ( 63.0865714 m )=186.7959544 W

3
m
TAP=Q γ air PT = 0.2607515467 3
s
Pinput =220 V (3.4 A )=748 W FSP=MSP=0.85 ( 748 W ) =635.8W
TAP 186.7959544 W
η fan= = =0.2937967197=29.38 %
FSP 635.8W
TAP 186.7959544 W
ηOA = = =0.25039 67217=25.04 %
P¿ 748 W

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TEST DATA ANALYSIS

The result of the experiment is by doing the experiment twice with different diameter of
orifice with the first orifice diameter in 11.43 cm and the second is 16.51 cm. All the other results
such as the speed, orifice pressure, current, FSP, TAP, and efficiency are different. The
temperature of both is close to each other having 32 degrees Celsius on both the Ts and Td on the
first trial and 31.7 and 32.2 degrees Celsius on the second trial. The speed of the centrifugal fan
with different orifice are 1630 rpm on the first orifice and 1755 rpm on the second. The static and
velocity orifice pressure of the first orifice is 3.4925 and 3.81 in cm H2O and 2.54 and 2.2225
cm H2O on the second. Using the given formula, we can determine the other missing values in
the table such as the FSP, TAP and efficiency.

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QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS / PROBLEM WITH SOLUTION

1. What is a centrifugal fan?

- A mechanical device called a centrifugal fan is used to circulate gas or air in a variety
of industrial and commercial applications. It comprises of an impeller or a group of
rotating blades that induce airflow by generating a difference in pressure.
2. What are the main types of centrifugal fans?
- The three primary varieties of centrifugal fans are radial, forward-curved, and
backward-curved. Each kind has distinct qualities and may be used for various
airflow and pressure needs.
3. How is fan efficiency calculated?
- Fan efficiency is calculated by dividing the fan's useful power output (FSP - Fan
Shaft Power) by the total power input (TAP - Total Air Power) and multiplying by
100 to express it as a percentage. The formula for fan efficiency is Efficiency (%) =
(FSP / TAP) * 100.
4. What are some common applications of centrifugal fans?
- HVAC systems, industrial ventilation, dust collecting systems, air pollution
management, refrigeration, drying operations, and combustion air supply are just a
few of the uses for centrifugal fans. They are also utilized in air handling units,
cooling towers, and other machinery that needs pressurized or moving air.
5. What are the parts of a centrifugal fan?
- The parts of a centrifugal fan are the fan housing, impellers, inlet and outlet ducts,
drive shaft, drive mechanism, fan dampers and vanes, inlet and outlet ducts, fan
blades, and fan discharge casing.

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CONCLUSION

This experiment has provided a comprehensive analysis of centrifugal fans and their
significance in various industrial and commercial applications. Through the examination of key
parameters such as orifice diameter, speed, orifice pressure, temperature, current, fan shaft power
(FSP), total air power (TAP), and efficiency, valuable insights have been gained regarding the
performance and effectiveness of centrifugal fans. The experiment conducted on the centrifugal
fan provided valuable insights into its performance and efficiency characteristics. The results of
the experiment showed how several parameters might affect how well a centrifugal fan performs.
The orifice pressure, temperature, and current were discovered to be significantly affected by
changes in orifice diameter and speed. These results emphasize the need of setting the orifice
diameter and speed with attention in order to obtain the optimal performance and efficiency.

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REFERENCES

Proline. (2020, July 6). What is a Centrifugal Fan? - Complete Guide. Retrieved from Proline

Blog website: https://www.prolinerangehoods.com/blog/what-is-a-centrifugal-fan/

RS. (n.d.). Centrifugal Fans - A Complete Guide. Retrieved from uk.rs-online.com website:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/content/discovery/ideas-and-advice/centrifugal-fans-guide

Yu, J., Zhang, T., & Qian, J. (2011, January 1). 2 - Classification: electric motors, pumps, fans

(J. Yu, T. Zhang, & J. Qian, Eds.). Retrieved from ScienceDirect website:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780857090775500025

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