PART 1

FANS AND BLOWERS

 Are machines that moves air or gases under moderate pressures. They are
significant and important component in all industrial plants specifically if there is a
need of supplying, circulating and removing air in a space in order to provide comfort
and safety. They are utilized for heating, ventilating, air conditioning and pollution
control of industrial plants.
Note:
 Fans works at low pressures from 1 psig
 Blowers ( also known as turbo-blowers) works up to 35 psig
 Compressors starts at 35 psig
TYPES OF FANS
1. CENTRIFUGAL FANS
It moves air radially thru the impellers. Air is drawn at the center of a revolving
wheel, connected to a rotating shaft, and then it enters the spaces of the wheel blades. The air
is then thrown out perpendicularly to the impeller’s axis of rotation at high velocity and static
pressure. They are widely used in comfort applications because it’s quite, efficient and
operates at relatively high pressure heads.
2. AXIAL FANS
It moves air in a helical-type flow pattern that is parallel thru the impeller. This
type of fan moves large amount of fluid and develops small pressure heads. They are
widely used in applications where noise levels are of secondary considerations.

Axial fans are classified as:

1. Propeller
Propeller fans consist of two or more blades and are widely used for general
ventilation systems which require large volume of air at low pressure heads. It is used as
exhaust systems for indoor applications and for air-cooled condensers and cooling towers
for outdoor applications.
2. Tubeaxial
Tubeaxial fans are axial flow fans that are fabricated in a tubular
casing. They are widely used in ducted ventilating applications that
require medium pressure heads and where air flow pattern in
downstream of the fan are not primary consideration, such as fume
exhaust systems, drying ovens, and paint spray booths.

3. Vaneaxial
Vaneaxial fans are tubeaxial fans with guide vanes, They operate
in medium to high pressure heads and are widely used when good
stream air distribution is needed.
Note: The general advantages of axial fans are in terms of its simplicity in its
installation, small space requirements and economy. They are widely used in applications
where high volume of air is needed against a low pressure heads and noise is not a
primary consideration.

FAN FUNDAMENTALS

AIR POWER, AP
Air power is the energy added by the impeller of the fan to air or gasses to move
it
Air power is referred to as “total air power”, when total pressure head, HT is used.
Air power is referred to as “static air power”, when static pressure head, Hs is
used.
TOTAL AIR POWER
AP = Q γa HT
Where: γa = ρa [go/gc]
= ma/Va [go/gc]
AP = ma [go/gc] HT
Where: AP = Total air power, kw or hp
Q = V = Volume flow rate, m3/sec or ft3/sec
γ a = Specific weight of air
Note : For air at standard condition at 21oC and 101.325 Kpa:
SI units = 0.0118 KN/m3
English units = 0.075 lbf / ft3
ma = mass flow rate of air, kg/sec or lbm/sec
STATIC AIR POWER
APStatic = Q γa hs
 
hStatic = Static pressure head of the fan,
Meters or feet of air
 
The Total Fan Pressure Head, HT
Total fan head, the total amount of work needed by the fan (usually measured
in meters or feet ) per specific weight of air flowing the fan.
It is the sum of the velocity head and static pressure head.
HT = ( Velocity head + Static pressure head )
= hv + hs
= ( V22 – V12 )/ 2go + ( P2 – P1 )/ γa
Velocity Head, hv
Velocity head is the energy possessed by air because of its velocity. This has a
significant effect in fan performance and must be considered in calculation.
= ( V22 – V12 )/ 2go
 
Static Pressure Head, hs
Static pressure head is the energy required to overcome resistance.
= ( P2 – P1 )/ γa
Note: We can also express the pressure difference (P2 – P1) in terms of the pressure
head of water in the manometer.
= (P2 – P1)/γa = γwhw/γa = hwρw/ρa
Where: ρ = density of water
Density at standard condition = 1000kgm/m3
= 62.4 lbm/ft3
ρa = density of air
Density of air at standard condition at 21oC and 101.325 Kpa
= 1.2 kgm/m3
= .075 lbm/ft3
FAN EFFICIENCY

• Is the ratio of the air power output of the fan over the brake power
input to the fan. It shows how effective the fan in converting brake
power input into the air power.
• Fan total efficiency:
nF = (Air power/Brake power) 100%
Fan static efficiency:
nS = (Static air power/Brake power)100%
EXAMPLES:
1. Find the total air horsepower of an industrial fan that delivers 25 m³/sec of air through a 900mm b
1200mm outlet. Static air pressure is 127 mm of water and air density is 1.18 kg/m³.
Solution:
Q= Area x velocity
25 m³/sec = ( 0.9m x 1.2m ) velocity
velocity = 23.15 m/sec
hv = v²/2g = (23.15 m/sec)²/ 2(9.8 m/sec²)
hv = 27.315 meters
hs = hw (ρ of water/ρ of air)
= 0.127 ( 1000/1.18)
= 107.63 meters
ht ( total fan head ) = hv + hs
ht = 107.63 + 27.315 = 134.94 meters
Air Power (AP) = Q γa HT = (1.18x.00981)(25)(134.94) = 39.052Kw
= 52.35 HP
2. The volume flow of air delivered by the fan is 20 m³/sec and static head is 180 mm
water gage. The density of air is 1.185 kg/m³ and the motor power needed to drive the
fan is 44 Kw. What is the fan efficiency?
hs = 0.18 ( 1000/1.185)
= 151.89 meters

(Static air power)

APStatic = Q γa hs
= (1.185 kg/m³x 0.00981KN/kg)(20m³/sec)(151.89 meters)
= 35.316 KW

Fan static efficiency ( n static ) = 35.316/44 = 80.26 %

3. Air is flowing in the duct with velocity of 7.62 m/s and static pressure of 2.16 cm water gage. The duct diameter is
1.22 meters, the barometric pressure is 99.4 Kpa and the gage fluid temperature and air temperature are 30 deg. C.
What is the the total pressure against which the fan will operate in cm of water? ( ME Board 1996 )
Solution:
hv = v²/ 2g
= (7.62)²/ 2x9.81
= 2.959 meters
ρ(air) = P/RT
= 99.4KN/m²/(0.287KN-m/kg- °K)(30 + 273)
= 1.143 kg/m³
Solving for the velocity head in terms of cm of water
hv = 2.959(1.143/1000)
= 0.0034 m of water
= 0.34 cm of water

htotal = hs + hv
= 2.16 + 0.34
= 2.5 cm of water
4. Find the air horsepower of an industrial fan that delivers 26 m³/s of air through a 1m by 1.2m; pressure is 127 mm
of water; air temperature is 21 deg. C and barometric pressure is 760 mm Hg.
Solution:
V = Q/A = 26/(1)(1.2) = 21.667 m/s
ρ(air) = P/RT
= 101.325/(0.287)(21 + 273)
= 1.2 kg/m³
hv = (v²/2g)
= (21.667²/2(9.81))
= 23.92m
hs = (ρ(water)/ρ(air))(hwater)
= (1000/1.2)(0.127m)
= 105.83 m
htotal = 23.92 + 105.83 = 129.75 m

Air Power =( 1.2 kg/m³)(0.00981KN/kg)( 129.75m)( 26 m³/s)

= 39.71 KW
= 39.71 KW/0.746KW/HP
= 53.23 HP
 FAN SPECIFIC SPEED

• It is a dimensionless parameter used to describe the applications of different

types of fans. It is defined as the revolution per minute at which a given
geometrically similar impeller of a fan would operate if reduced proportionally in
size so as to deliver a rated capacity of 1 cubic feet per minute against a
differential head of 1 –foot of air under standard conditions.

NS = N (Q)1/2 /hS3/4 Where: Ns = Specific speed of fan, rpm

Q = Capacity of fan, cfm

hs = Fan static pressure

head, ft of air

N = Impeller Speed, in rpm

Where: Q = Capacity in gpm h = Total head ( Static or total), feet
BHP = Brake horsepower, hp
N = Fan speed, rpm
Subscript 1 refers to initial condition, subscript 2 refers to final condition
EXAMPLES:
1. At 1.2 kg/m³ air density a fan develops a brake power of 100 KW. It operates at 98 Kpa and 32 deg. C with
the same speed, what is the new brake power of the pump?
Solution:
ρ₁ = 1.2 kg/m³
ρ₂ = P/RT
= 98/(0.287)(32+274)
ρ₂ = 1.1195 kg/m³

BP₂/BP₁ = ρ₂ / ρ₁
BP₂/100 = 1.1195/1.2

BP₂ = 93.29 KW
2. A fan using standard air condition can developed a static pressure head of 310 mm of water gage. If the fan
will operate at 93 deg. C and 735 mm of Hg, find the new static pressure required.

Solution:
ρ₁ = 1.2 (standard air density)
ρ₂ = P/RT
= (735 mm hg x (101.325 Kpa/760 mm Hg) )/(0.287)(93+273)
ρ₂ = 0.933 kg/m³

hs₂/hs₁ = ρ₂ / ρ₁
hs₂/310 = 0.933/12

hs₂ = 241 mm water gage

3. A fan delivers 4.7 m³/s at a static pressure of 5.08 cm of water when operating at a speed of 400 RPM. The power
input required is 2.963 KW. If 7.05 m³/s are desired in the same fan and installation, find the pressure in cm of
water.

Solution:
h₁/h₂ = (N₁/N₂)²
5.08/h₂ = (400/N₂)²

Solving for N₂:

Q₁/Q₂ = N₁/N₂
4.7/7.05 = 400/N₂
N₂ = 600 rpm
Then;
5.08/h₂ = (400/600)²

h₂ = 11.43 cm of water
 FAN SELECTION:

• The following are important items to consider in selecting a fan:

a. The desired flow, Q
b. The static pressure head, hs
c. The characteristic of air to be handled (ex. Dust concentration)
d. Operating temperature
e. The prevailing noise level of the space to be served

FAN INSTALLATION:
• To reduce friction and turbulence, all ducting lines should be short and straight as possible, with minimum elbows,
valves and fittings
• Elbows in ducting should have a large radius
• Both the suction and discharge lines should be supported independently to protect the casing from strains that may
cause distortion to the fan. Flexible ducting system can also be used to isolate the vibration of the fan.
• Install the fan away from any heat source if the fan takes air from the atmosphere so that the air will be cooler
• The suction of the fan should be protected from dust, foreign object, moisture and corrosive elements present that
may damage the fan.
• Silencers may be used if noise level is primary considerations
• The inlet damper positioning should be checked regularly to satisfy the closed and fully open condition of the fan.
Install the fan in a secure location and at the same time, available for inspection and maintenance.
FANS SERIES AND PARALLEL
• FANS IN SERIES
The total pressure is increased at a given capacity
FANS IN PARALLEL
• Installing multiple fan side by side. The capacity is doubled while
maintaining the total pressure.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED :
1. Determine the air horsepower of an industrial fan that delivers 45m³/s of air through a 720 mm x 1050 mm duct if the static
pressure is 160 mm of water gage and air density is 1.12 kg/m³.
2. A boiler requires 100,000 m³/hr of standard air. The mechanical efficiency of the fan to be installed is 75%. Calculate the size
of the driving motor needed assuming that the fan can deliver a pressure head of 165 mm of water gage and the outlet
velocity of 25 m/s.
3. A 55 KW motor is used to drive a fan that has a total head of 130 m at a fan efficiency is 78%. Determine the maximum
capacity of the motor needed if air is available at 100 Kpa and 28 deg. C.
4. A fan operating at a standard air condition registered a total static head of 230 mm of water gage. If the static efficiency is
65% and the fan efficiency is 80%, determine the velocity of air if the volume of air delivered is 6 m³/s. ( Let the velocity head
to be 35% of the static head).
5. Calculate the required motor capacity needed to drive a forced draft fan serving stoker fired boiler using coal as fuel.
Combustion data includes the following:
Atmospheric air 101.325 Kpa; 20°C
Weight of fuel burned per hour 10 tons
Ultimate Analysis of fuel:
Carbon – 78% Nitrogen – 8%
Hydrogen – 3% Sulfur – 1%
Oxygen - 3% Ash - 7%
Excess air - 30%
Fuel bed and air resistance – 18 cm water gage
Fan efficiency - 60%
6. A fan initially operating at a speed of 380 rpm at air temperature of 26 deg. C. If the speed is
increased to 460 rpm with 55 deg. C, determine the new head in mm of water gage for an initial
head of 190 mm of water gage.

7. The rating of fan is 610 m³/s when running at 360 rpm and requires 8 KW motor to drive it. If the
fan speed is increased to 620 rpm and the air handled becomes 60 deg. C instead of 30 deg. C,
determine the power in KW.

8. A fan with a suction static pressure of 45 mm of water vacuum and air velocity of 6 m/s has a
discharge of 165 mm of water gage at a discharge velocity of 9 m/s. Determine the total head of
fan, in mm water gage if air density is 1.18 kg/m³.

9. At 1.190 kg/m³ of air density, a fan can develop a brake power of 110 KW. If it will operate at 100
Kpa and 36 deg. C, what will be the new brake power needed?
NOTE:
1. Solutions should be handwritten using black ink.
2. For every page, write your name in the middle part and affix your
signature using red ink.
3. Picture your paper and send it to my email ad;
melch8888@yahoo.com , not later than May 15, 2020
4. Hard copies will be submitted anytime after the covid19 pandemic.
5. Part II will be given after complying part I
6. If you have some questions, ask it in the group chat so that
everybody will know.
GOOD LUCK & KEEP SAFE….