FANS AND BLOWERS

Definition of Terms
1. Fan – a machine which is used to apply power to a gas in order to cause
movement of the gas
2. Blower – a fan which is used to force air under suction, that is, the
resistance to gas flow is imposed primarily upon the discharge
3. Exhauster – a fan which is used withdraw air under suction, that is, the
resistance to gas flow is imposed primarily upon the inlet
4. Capacity of fan – volume flow rate measured at the outlet
Types of Fans
1. Propeller Fan
2. Tubeaxial Fan
3. Vaneaxial Fan
4. Centrifugal Fan
Formulas:

1. Static Head (hs)

hs = hwdw/da
where: hw = manometer reading, meters of water
dw = density of water = 9.81 kN/m3
da = density of air, kN/m3
If both static head at suction and discharge are given,
hs = (hwd – hws)dw/da
2. Velocity Head (hv)
hv = vo2/2g
Where: vo = outlet velocity, m/s
g = 9.81 m/sec2 = 32.2 ft/sec2
If both velocity at suction and discharge are given,
hv = (vd2 – vs2)/2g
Formulas:
3. Total Head (h)
h = hs + hv
4. Air Power, Pa
Pa = daQh, KW
Where: Q = fan capacity, m3/sec
da = density of air, KN/m3
h = total head, m
5. Fan Efficiency, nf
nf = Air Power/ Brake Power
6. Static Power, Ps
Ps = daQhs
7. Static Efficiency, ns
ns = Static Power/ Brake Power
Formulas:
8. Fan Laws:
a. Variable Speed (constant fan size, constant density)
Q1/Q2 = N1/N2
h1/h2 = (N1/N2)2
P1/P2 = (N1/N2)3
b. Variable density (constant fan size, constant speed)
Q1 = Q2
h1/h2 = d1/d2
P1/P2 = d1/d2
Where: d = density of air
P = power
h = head
N = speed
Sample Problems

1. A fan whose static efficiency is 40% has a capacity of 60,000 ft3/hr at 60oF
and barometer of 30 in Hg and gives a static pressure of 2 in of water
column on full delivery. What size of electric motor should be used to drive
the fan?
2. A fan draws 1.42 m3 per second of air at a static pressure of 2.54 cm of
water through a duct 300 mm diameter and discharges it through a duct of
275 mm diameter. Determine the static fan efficiency if total fan mechanical
is 70% and air is measured at 25oC and 760mmHg.
Homework
1. Air enters a fan through a duct at a velocity of 6.3 m/s and an inlet static
pressure of 2.5 cm of water less than atmospheric pressure. The air leaves
the fan through a duct at a velocity of 11.25 m/s and a discharge static
pressure of 7.62 cm of water above the atmospheric pressure. If the
specific weight of the air is 1.20 kg/m3 and the fan delivers 9.45 m3/s, what
is the fan efficiency when the power input to the fan is 13.75 kW at the
coupling?
2. Calculate the air power of a fan that delivers 1200 m3/min of air through a
1 m by 1.5 m outlet. Static pressure is 120 mm WG and density of air is
1.18.
3. A fan described in manufacturers tale is rated to deliver 500 m3/min at a
static pressure (gage) of 254 cm of water when running at 250 rpm and
requiring 3.6 KW. If the fan speed is changed to 305 rpm and the air
handled were at 65oC instead of standard 21oC, find the power in kW.