Industrial fans and ventilation systems are integral for many facilities. Choosing the right fans for your application is necessary for reducing overall costs for maintenance, repairs, and replacements. Fan failure can bring your operations to a halt and lead to costly downtime for your facility in addition to the price of repairing or replacing failed fans. Therefore, it’s important to work with a ventilation specialist to choose the right types of fans to use for your ventilation system. In this article, we’ll discuss some common types of industrial fans that may suit your ventilation needs.
Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Common Types of Fans
There are two basic types of industrial fans you may use in your facility’s ventilation system: axial and centrifugal. In many cases, you will have both types of fans throughout your industrial ventilation systems. Axial and centrifugal fans are different in many ways. Axial and centrifugal industrial fans also come in different designs to serve different applications. Let’s discuss these different types of industrial fans.
Axial Fans
Axial fans move air along the axis of the fan. This design helps them move large volumes of air with lower static pressure. Therefore, they are generally used for general ventilation and comfort cooling in environments with lower concentrations of contaminants. Axial industrial fans are often mounted on ceilings and walls because they are lightweight and compact. Axial fans also typically cost less than centrifugal fans. However, these fans are often noisier than centrifugal fans and are generally unsuited for “dirty” air with higher levels of contaminants, such as dust and moisture. Also, while axial fans frequently use less energy than centrifugal blowers, they also tend to be less energy efficient than their centrifugal counterparts.
Three of the most common types of axial fans include:
- Propeller fans
- Tubeaxial fans
- Vaneaxial fans
Axial Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Propeller Fans
Propeller fans are some of the most common types of fans. You can find this simple fan design in a wide range of applications, including ceiling fans you might find in your home. However, industrial propeller fans are engineered to stand up to harsher environments to provide air flow throughout industrial facilities. Propeller industrial fans offer high air flow and low pressure. If you are looking for inexpensive industrial fans and ventilation for general purposes, propeller fans may be the ideal option for your facility. They are great for moving high volumes of air for cooling and general ventilation of clean air.
Axial Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Tubeaxial Fans
Tubeaxial fans are essentially propeller fans mounted inside a cylinder to increase air flow. These industrial fans offer better energy efficiency and higher static pressure compared to propeller fans. They work well for medium pressure, high volume applications. Most facilities use these fans in general ventilation applications. For instance, moving air contaminated with exhaled carbon dioxide, small amounts of smoke, or heat load through the ventilation system.
Axial Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Vaneaxial Fans
Vaneaxial fans have a similar design to tubeaxial fans, but utilize outlet vanes to help straighten and direct air streams. Vaneaxial fans are often the most energy-efficient options for axial industrial fans. They work well for moving high volumes of air with medium to high pressure. Just like other axial fans, they are great for cooling and general ventilation in your facility. However, they also act well in emergency industrial ventilation systems. They offer quick air supply and removal for things like heat, smoke, and fumes. However, if you’re dealing with high levels of particulates like dust, you might need to look at centrifugal fans instead.
Centrifugal Fans
Centrifugal fans, also commonly known as blowers, draw air into the center of the fan and utilize impellers to move air radially through the fan before exhausting at a 90° angle. These types of industrial fans are typically quieter and more efficient than axial fans of similar capacities. They also offer a steadier flow of air and work well for high pressure needs, such as moving air through ductwork. Many centrifugal fans work well in air streams with particulates and other contaminants. Ventilation specialists may recommend centrifugal fans for efficient cooling and ventilation as well as exhausting contaminated air. Different blowers use different blade designs to serve different purposes.
Some common centrifugal fans include:
- Forward curved bladed fans
- Radial bladed fans
- Radial tip bladed fans
- Backward inclined bladed fans
Centrifugal Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Forward Curved Blade
Blowers with forward curved blades are an efficient option for general ventilation purposes. They are ideal for moving low to medium air volumes at higher pressures. They offer a compact design with lower operating speed. Forward curved centrifugal fans are also incredibly quiet. However, these fans are best for clean air applications, as material can build up on the short curved blades. Generally these types of industrial fans are used in applications where static pressure is too high for vaneaxial fans.
Centrifugal Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Radial Blade
Radial blade centrifugal blowers use straight blades that move radially inside the fan. These fans offer low to medium volume air flow at high pressures. The blade design in these fans help limit material building, making them ideal for many heavy-duty applications. Many facilities use radial blade centrifugal fans for moving process materials. They are also capable of moving air with higher concentrations of particulates. Radial blade fans work well in high temperature and even corrosive applications.
Centrifugal Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Radial Tip Blade
When you need efficient fans that can still handle some dust and particulates, radial tip bladed fans may be a great solution. Many people view them as the middle ground between forward curved and radial centrifugal fans. These industrial fans work well with air streams moderately contaminated with smaller particulates or high moisture levels. Radial tipped blades aren’t built for heavy-duty material handling. However, they can work well in environments with low to medium concentrations of contaminants. Therefore, with these fans you get a hybrid of the efficient forward curved fan and the durable, particulate-handling radial fan.
Centrifugal Industrial Fans and Ventilation: Backward Inclined Blade
Backward inclined blades in centrifugal fans are some of the most efficient fans available and are also extremely quiet during operation. Backward inclined centrifugal fans offer medium to high airflow at lower pressures. However, the blades can be prone to material buildup. They may also be more susceptible to erosion than other types of centrifugal fans. Therefore, you’re generally better off using these in clean air environments.
Industrial Ventilation Specialists at Eldridge
At Eldridge, we specialize in industrial fans and ventilation systems. Our experts offer superior solutions for ventilation design, installation, and equipment supply. In addition to addressing all your ventilation needs, our team also offers experienced noise control solutions. Our team’s commitment is creating a successful environment for your people, products, and processes. We are one of the nation’s top air ventilation companies offering comprehensive services for a wide range of industries. We are proud to celebrate 75 years of service to our customers through custom-engineered ventilation solutions. Get a quote today for your ventilation and noise control needs.