Types of Industrial Fans
There is ample use of industrial fans and blowers in factories. Manufacturing units are the areas where there is a need for continuous circulation of air. Their main work is to provide a good flow of air in various parts of the building or place where they are installed. This movement is achieved by rotating blades which are connected to a hub and shaft driven by a motor. The airflow rate of industrial fans may vary between 200 cubic feet (5.7 m3) to 2,000,000 cubic feet (57,000 m3) per minute. There are different types of industrial fans, but in this blog, we will be focusing on the two most popular variants.
Use of industrial fans:
They find myriads of uses, here are some of the common ones:
1. The continuous flow of air or gas
2. Ensuring proper ventilation in the place of their use
3. Ensures removal of hazardous gases and heat
Common places of use of industrial fans:
They are used in the following industries:
1. Power
2. Pollution control
3. Metal manufacturing unit
4. Mining
5. Food processing
6. Cement production
7. Cryogenics
8. Petrochemicals
Types of Industrial fans:
As mentions above, there are two main types of industrial fans:
1. Centrifugal
2. Axial
These are further subdivided into different types:
Centrifugal:
Radial
Forward curved blades
Airfoil type
Backward curved blades
Similar Axial fans are subdivided into the following types:
Propeller
Vena-Axial
Tube –Axial
Now let's understand the difference between the Axial and Centrifugal fans:
Axial Fans- In these fans, the flow of air is in the liner direction. There can be no change in the direction of flow of air. The size of axial fans varies based on the operating condition and place where you have installed them. Of the various types of axial fans available in the market, the aerofoil one comes in different shapes and is considered to be the most effective ones. They have a lower noise level and are more efficient.
Places of application- Axial fans are commonly used in the following industry:
- Paper
- Cement
- Steel industry
Centrifugal Fans- In this type of fans, the flow of the air changes twice. It changes the first time when it was entering and the second time when it was leaving. When the air enters the impeller of the fan changes it by 90° because of the centrifugal force, and then it gets discharged in a radial direction, and that’s how it changes the flow twice. These have a three-drive shaft mechanism.
They come in different blade configurations like a curved belt, backward-curved, airfoil, radio, etc. In order to receive the desired change in the flow of direction, these fans have louvers, dampers, and guided vanes —sometimes the parallel arrangement of the fan is done to achieve the desired change in the flow of air.
Applications: The centrifugal fans are used in places where there is a requirement of continuous movement of air. Here are some of the commonplaces of application:
- Steel
- Cement
- Chemical
- Thermal power
Key features to consider before buying industrial fans:
If you are planning to buy industrial fans, then you need to take into account the following features:
1. Type of fans- Since there are different variations of the fans, you need to choose the one which will match your requirement and place of application.
2. Blades - There are different types of blades like curved, linear, etc. So choose the one accordingly
3. Flow capacity - You must check the airflow capacity of the fan, if you have to install them in a larger area, you would need a fan with bigger flow capacity.
Make sure you invest in a good quality fan to ensure longevity and durability. Don’t forget to check the accreditations and safety certifications before making a purchase.
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