FAQs | Industrial Fans

What is the difference between an axial fan and a centrifugal fan?

Axial fans move air parallel to the fan shaft and are ideal for high-volume, lower-pressure applications like general building ventilation, exhaust, and cooling. Centrifugal fans (blowers) move air perpendicular to the shaft and generate higher pressures, making them suitable for duct systems, process airflow, and applications requiring air to overcome resistance. The right choice depends on your airflow volume, static pressure requirements, and application.

What is the difference between an industrial fan and a regular commercial fan?

Industrial fans are engineered for continuous heavy-duty operation in demanding environments. They are built with heavier-gauge materials, more powerful motors, higher static pressure capabilities, and options for hazardous duty ratings (explosion-proof, spark-resistant). Commercial fans are designed for lighter-duty, intermittent use in office and retail settings and are not rated for the heat, chemicals, or continuous runtime of industrial applications.

What are axial fans used for in industrial settings?

Axial fans are used for general supply and exhaust ventilation, spot cooling of workers and equipment, process cooling, and HVLS (high-volume, low-speed) air circulation in large facilities. They are available in industrial-duty, heavy-duty, and marine-duty configurations to match the demands of specific environments.

What is an HVLS fan and when should I use one?

HVLS (High-Volume, Low-Speed) fans are large-diameter axial fans — typically 7 to 24 feet across — that move massive volumes of air at low rotational speeds. They are ideal for large open facilities like warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and airplane hangars where uniform air circulation is needed at low energy cost. Eldridge’s heavy-duty axial fan line includes HVLS-class fans for these applications.

What is a process fan?

A process fan moves air or gas as part of an industrial process, rather than simply for comfort ventilation. Examples include combustion air fans for boilers and furnaces, conveying fans that move product through pneumatic systems, and forced-draft fans in power generation. Process fans are selected based on exact flow, pressure, temperature, and gas composition requirements.

What is a centrifugal blower used for?

Centrifugal blowers are used in applications that require high static pressure — such as ducted HVAC systems, industrial drying, conveying systems, dust collection, and fume extraction. They are also used in combustion systems and chemical processing, where controlled, pressurized airflow is critical.

What is a fiberglass fan and when do I need one?

Fiberglass fans are constructed with fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) housings and blades, making them highly resistant to corrosion from chemicals, salt air, and moisture. They are the preferred choice for wastewater treatment, chemical processing, marine environments, and food processing applications where metal fans would corrode and fail prematurely.

What does explosion-proof mean for a fan?

An explosion-proof fan is designed and certified to operate safely in environments where flammable gases, vapors, or dust may be present. The motor and electrical components are enclosed to prevent ignition of surrounding flammable materials. These fans are required by code in oil & gas, chemical processing, paint spray booths, and similar hazardous-duty environments. Eldridge specifies explosion-proof fans across multiple product lines.

What is the SolAir fan?

The SolAir is Eldridge’s proprietary solar-powered industrial fan — the first of its class built specifically for heavy industrial applications. It operates entirely on solar energy with no electrical wiring required, making it ideal for remote facilities, rooftop exhaust, and areas where running conduit is impractical or cost-prohibitive. It delivers industrial-grade performance with zero operating energy cost.