As far as industrial applications are concerned, industrial fans provide high-end systems for a variety of purposes, like cooling, exhausting heat, handling materials, collecting dust, etc. There are several factors that you need to consider while choosing an industrial fan for your industrial process. Generally, there are two types of fans, axial fans, and centrifugal fans. However, they differ in design, the direction of airflow, and functionality. Here, we will talk about a few things you need to keep in mind while choosing an industrial fan for your purpose.
Types of Industrial Fans
Industrial blowers are classified based on their flow rate and air pressure. Basically, there are two broad types:
Axial fans: This kind of fan directs air in a linear manner. The air is forced across the fan’s axis in the same direction in which the shaft is rotating. The flow of air does not change in direction. Its major components are a propeller, a wall-mounted duct, guided vanes, and blades. The size of the fan that you choose depends on the location of the installation and the conditions in which you are going to operate it. The most common types of these industrial fans include the propeller, vane axial, and tube axial. These fans need less energy to operate, they are very efficient, and they can run at high pressures as well. If you require air in large volume but at low pressure, then an axial fan would be an ideal option for you, particularly for wood, paper, steel, cement, and pharmaceutical industries.
Centrifugal fans: These fans have an impeller that increases the speed of the air entering inside. The air enters the impeller in the axial direction and then changes direction due to the centrifugal force applied to it. You can choose a fan as per the pressure required and the rate of volume flow. These fans have guided vanes, dampers, and louvers to change the flow of air. These fan types are widely used in cement, chemical, thermal power, and steel industries where constant movement of air is extremely necessary. They are highly effective in handling material, collecting dust, ventilating, cooling and drying, controlling pollution, recirculating air, etc.
Attributes to Consider
Depending on your industrial application, you need to choose industrial fans depending on the following factors
1. Type of blower
The most common blower types include rotary vane, leaf blowers, roots, rotary lobe, centrifugal and positive displacement.
2. Blade
Orientation of the fan’s blades makes a huge difference in your final selection. Blades with a forward curve can move huge quantities of air, while blades with a backward bend have higher efficiency. Radial blades do not have any curve, due to which they stay clean and handle dirt effectively.
3. The capacity of flow
The capacity of a blower is usually measured in cubic feet per minute. You will need high capacity if you need to increase the evaporation rate in your setting or create an air knife to scrape items.
4. Operating pressure
The operating pressure of the fan is another significant attribute that you need to consider while selecting an industrial fan for your application.
5. Port design
The flange and duct apply to both the outlet and inlet ports of the industrial fans. These are the ports where blowers get connected with the piping or the ductwork. If you already have a fan installed in your facility and you are considering replacing it, then you need to choose a fan that has a design that matches your existing ports.
Now that you know the different types of industrial fans and the different factors you need to consider while choosing one, apply this knowledge practically and make an informed decision you can be proud of.