What Is a Fan and Blower?

 Fans and Blowers are both mechanical devices that are meant to circulate
the air.
 A fan is an electrical device, while a blower is a mechanical device.
 Fans can move large amounts of air/gas at low pressure. The components
of a fan are a rotor (impeller) to which the blades are attached. Fans have
blades that help to creates a continuous airflow and circulate the air around
in every direction, even at a minor change in the pressure. Fans have a
specific pressure ratio of 1.1.
 Blowers, on the other hand, has impellers which comprises of a wheel
attached with small blades and a casing that channel the air in a specific
direction towards a particular location and can move large volumes of
air/gas at a moderate pressure setting. The pressure ratio of blowers is 1.1
to 1.2.
 Fans push out the air axially, that is, the direction of airflow is along the axis
of the rotor. Blowers use centrifugal force to blow out the air radially along
the impellers .
 Fans are usually smaller in size compared to blowers

Types of Fans and Blowers

Fans can be classified into two primary types:
Axial Fans
In an axial fan, the rotating blades force the air to move in a parallel direction to the
shaft about which they rotate. The air comes out of the fan in the same direction as it
went it. They are a type of a compressor that creates a massive amount of airflow by
increasing the pressure of the air passing through them. Usually, they require less
power to operate.
Since axial fans produce a high volume of airflow at lower pressures, they are ideal for
general uses. For instance, cooling cramped up rooms, offices, or confined casings as
in a computer.
Centrifugal Fans
Centrifugal fans consist of a fan wheel and blades attached to a circular hub. As the
impeller moves, it creates a kinetic energy which allows these fans to increase the
volume airflow. Centrifugal fans move the air radially and change the direction of the
airflow by 90 degrees. Since in these fans the air passes through an arrangement of
ducts, dampers, and other components, the resultant pressure is higher than that of an
axial fan.
They are best suited for high-pressure applications, for example, drying and air
conditioning systems.
Like fans, blowers can also be classified into two types.

Centrifugal Blowers

A centrifugal blower uses high-speed impellers that produce an airflow of high velocity.
There are three types of blade orientation for these blowers – radial, backward curved,
and forward curved. While most blowers are powered by electric motors (belt and
sheave arrangement), some blowers may have with direct-coupled drive motors.
Although using dampers is the most commonly used method for adjusting the speed in
centrifugal blowers, it can also be altered either by resizing the sheaves or by using
variable speed drives.

Positive Displacement Blowers

Positive Displacement blowers utilize mechanical force to squeeze to increase the

pressure of airflow. The rotary lobe comprised of two counter-rotating lobed rotors is
commonly used in these blowers. These rotating rotors move the air through the blower.
Usually, positive displacement blowers are driven by direct-coupled electric motors.

Types of Fans

Fans can be classified into centrifugal or axial based on how they establish airflow. In
turn, there are several subtypes in each category, and choosing a fan that matches the
application is critical for a high-performance HVAC installation.

The following table summarizes the main types of centrifugal fans: radial, forward
curved, backward curved and airfoil type.
FAN TYPE DESCRIPTION

-High pressure and medium flow

Radial -Tolerates dust, moisture and heat, making it suitable for industrial use
-Power consumption increases significantly along with airflow

-Medium pressure and high flow

-Suitable for HVAC systems with relatively low pressure, such as packaged roofto
Forward curved
-Tolerates dust, but is not suited for harsh industrial settings
-Power consumption increases significantly along with airflow

-High pressure and high flow

-Energy efficient
Backward curved
-Does not experience a dramatic increase in pressure with airflow
-HVAC and industrial applications, also forced draft systems

-High pressure and high flow

Aerofoil -Energy efficient
-Designed for applications with clean air

On the other hand, axial flow fans are classified into propellers, tube axial and vane
axial.

FAN TYPE DESCRIPTION

-Low pressure and high flow, low efficiency

-Suited for moderate temperatures
Propeller
-Airflow is reduced drastically if static pressure increases.
-Common applications include exhaust fans, outdoor condensers and cooling towers
 -Medium pressure and high flow
Tube axial -Cylindrical housing and small clearance with fan blades to enhance airflow
-Used in HVAC, exhaust systems and drying applications

-High pressure and medium flow, high efficiency

Vane axial -Physically similar to tube axial fans, integrating guide vanes at the intake to improve effi
-Common uses include HVAC and exhaust systems, especially where high pressure is r

With such a wide selection of fans, there is a solution for almost any application.
However, variety also means there is higher chance of selecting the wrong fan without
proper guidance. The best recommendation is to avoid “rule of thumb” decisions, and
instead get a professional design that meets the needs of your project.

Types of Blowers

As previously stated, blowers operate with a pressure ratio of 1.11 to 1.2, which makes
them intermediate between a fan and a compressor. They can produce much higher
pressures than fans, and they are also effective in industrial vacuum applications that
require negative pressurization. Blowers are divided into two main categories:
centrifugal and positive displacement.
Centrifugal blowers have some physical similarity with centrifugal pumps. They normally
include a gear system to achieve speeds well over 10,000 rpm. Centrifugal blowers can
have a single-stage or a multi-stage construction, where the single-stage design offers a
higher efficiency, but the multi-stage design provides a wider airflow range at steady
pressure.

Like fans, centrifugal blowers have applications in HVAC. However, thanks to their
superior pressure output, they are also used in cleaning equipment and automotive
applications. Their main limitation is that airflow decreases rapidly when an obstacle
raises pressure, making them unsuitable for applications with a high chance of clogging.

Positive-displacement blowers have a rotor geometry designed to capture pockets of

air, driving flow in the intended direction at high pressure. Although they rotate at lower
speeds than centrifugal blowers, they can produce enough pressure to blow away
objects clogging the system. Another important difference with centrifugal options is that
positive-displacement blowers are typically driven by belts instead of gears.

Aerofoil Blowers
Propeller Fan

Centrifugal Fan

Vane Axial Fan

Blowers

Differentiate between ‘centrifugal’ and ‘axial flow’ fans?

In centrifugal fans, pressure is developed due to the centrifugal force imparted to air,
unlike axial flow fans where velocity energy is imparted to air, which in turn is converted
to pressure energy at the fan outlet.
Which type of fan is suitable for higher pressure application?
Centrifugal fans are suitable for high pressure applications as compared to axial flow
fans.
Under which conditions of pressure ratios and volumes, low speed fans are preferred?
Low speed fans are preferred for low pressure ratios and large volumes.
Why generally fans operate at very poor efficiency?
A very conservative approach is adopted allocating large safety margins, resulting in
oversized fans, which operate at flow rates much below their design values and
consequently which leads to operate at very poor efficiency.
What are the types of centrifugal fans available?
Radial, forward curved and backward inclined fan
Write the advantages of forward curved fans?
Forward curved fans have the advantage of lower shut off power, which is desirable for
low flow rate operation
Which type of housing is more efficient for better fan performance?
Performance of fans also depends on the fan enclosure and duct design. ‘Spiral
housing’ designs with inducers, diffusers are more efficient as compared to ‘square
housings’.
Name different options available to control the speed of a fan?
a) changing pulley ratio for drive and driven equipment.
b) variable frequency drive
c) variable speed fluid coupling
List at least five energy saving opportunities for a fan application.
1. Change of impeller by a high efficiency impeller along with cone.
2. Change of fan assembly as a whole, by a high efficiency fan
3. Impeller derating (by a smaller dia impeller)
4. Fan speed reduction by pulley dia modifications for derating
5. Option of two speed motors or variable speed drives for variable duty
conditions
6. Option of energy efficient flat belts, or, cogged raw edged V belts, in place of
conventional V belt systems, for reducing transmission losses.
7. Adopting inlet guide vanes in place of discharge damper control
8. Minimizing system resistance and pressure drops by improvements in duct
system
List out main factors to be considered for proper sizing of fans
The following are the factors considered for fan sizing:
a) Flow requirement in m3/hr
b) Pressure drop
c) Power requirement
d) Density of flowing gas at the site condition
What are the factors that affect the fan performance?
The main factors affecting the performance of fans are flow, pressure,
temperature, speed and damper positions on the fan side and the power input in
KW on the motor side.
What are axial fans? Give some examples for its application?
When the flow of air (or) fluid is parallel to the axis of the fan it is called an axial
fan. Application areas of axial fans are: HVAC, drying ovens, exhaust system
What conditions suit for the application of radial type of centrifugal fans?
Radial type of centrifugal fans is used at high pressure, medium flow conditions.
E.g. Dust laden, moist air/gas in textile industry.
What are the merits of ‘backward curved blade centrifugal fans’?
The merits of backward curved blade centrifugal fans are:
a) High pressure generation
b) High efficiency
c) Power reduction with increased flow
List out different capacity control methods for the fans?
Basic capacity (volume) control methods adopted in fans and blowers are as
follows:
1. Changing the rotational speed is the most efficient. If the volume requirement
is constant, it can be achieved by selecting appropriate pulley sizes. If the volume
varies with the process, adjustable-speed drives can be used.
2. Changing the blade angle is a method used with some vane-axial fans.
 3. Restricting the air flow is accomplished with dampers or valves which close off
the air flow at the inlet or outlet. Inlet vanes, which swirl the air entering the
centrifugal fan or blower, are more efficient than dampers or butterfly valves.
4. Venting the high-pressure air, or recirculating it to the inlet, is often used with
positive displacement blowers. It is sometimes used with fan systems, but is the
least efficient method as there is no reduction in the air being moved.
List the parameters to be considered for efficient operation of fan?
The parameters to be considered while fan selection are:
1. Design operating point of fan – volume and pressure
2. Normal operating point – volume and pressure
3. Maximum continuous rating
4. Low load operation
5. Ambient temperature
6. Density of gas at different temperatures
7. Composition of the gas
8. Dust concentration and nature of dust
9. Maximum temperature of the gas
10. Control mechanisms (proposed)
11. Altitude of the plant
12. Highly efficient fan
13.Adjustable speed drives

What are the parameters for the design and selection of Fans?
Precise determination of air-flow and required outlet pressure are most
important in proper selection of fan type and size.
The air-flow required depends on the process requirements; normally determined
from heat transfer rates.
System pressure requirement is usually more difficult to compute or predict.
Detailed analysis should be carried out to determine pressure drop across the
length, bends, contractions and expansions in the ducting system, pressure drop
across filters, drop in branch lines, etc
Once the system flow and pressure requirements are determined, the fan and
impeller type are then selected. For best results, values should be obtained from
the manufacturer for specific fans and impellers.
The choice of fan type for a given application depends on the magnitudes of
required flow and static pressure.
For a given fan type, the selection of the appropriate impeller depends
additionally on rotational speed.
Speed of operation varies with the application. High speed small units are
generally more economical because of their higher hydraulic efficiency and
relatively low cost.
However, at low pressure ratios, large, low-speed units are preferable.

Application of Fans and Blowers

a. Radial blade
The rather sharply rising static pressure curve of the radial blade centrifugal
fan allows for small changes in volume as the resistance of the system changes
considerably. A Fair running static efficiency is 50-70 percent for both the
straight radial blade and radial tip blade.
b. Backward blade This type of blade is well suited to stream line conditions
and is used extensively on ventilating, air conditioning and clean and dirty
process gas streams. The outstanding and important characteristic is the non-
overloading power (kilowatts). It eliminates the need for oversized motors or
other drivers. The usual operating static efficiency range for the regular blade
is 65-80 percent and for the streamlined design is 80-92 percent.
 c. Forward blade This type is usually shallow and operates at slow speed for a
given capacity and usually has low outlet velocity. Its operating characteristics
are poor for many applications, since the power rises sharply with a decrease
in static pressure once the peak pressure for the fan has been reached. The
operating static efficiency range is 55-75 percent.
2. Axial flow fans
The power characteristic is non-overloading. The usual pressure range of
application is 0-76 mm water (0-745 pascals) static pressure. The vane axial
and tube axial can be selected for higher outlet velocities than the centrifugal (
10.2 - 20.3 m/s). The axial fans should be connected to ducts by tapered cone
connection. The peak efficiency range of the tube axial is 30-50 percent and for
the vane axial is 40-65 percent.
3. Propeller fans These fans usually operate with no piping or duct work on
either side, and move air or gas from one large open area to another.
Pressures are usually very low and volumes depend upon size, blade pitch,
number of blades and speed. Static efficiencies run from 10-50 percent
depending on the fan and its installation . With well designed inlet ring and
discharge diffuser the efficiencies may be 50-60 percent.
How to Control Fan Volume?
Fan volume is controlled by the following methods:
1. Variable Speed Drive
This type of control can be accomplished by turbines, DC motors, variable speed
motors or slip-ring motors.
2. Outlet Damper with Constant Fan Speed
The system resistance is varied with this damper. The volume of gas delivered
from the fan is changed as a function of the movement of the damper. It is low in
first cost and simple to operate, but does require more power than other
methods of control.
3. Variable Inlet Vane with Constant Fan Speed
The angle and/or extent of closure of the inlet vanes controls the volume of gas
admitted to the inlet of the wheel. The inlet vane control is more expensive than
the outlet dampers but this can usually be justified by lower kilowatt costs,
especially on large power installations.
4.Fluid Drive
This method allows fan speed to be adjusted 20-100 percent with corresponding
volume changes.