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Characteristics of Centrifugal Blower and Its Effective Use in High Static Pressure Area
Characteristics of Centrifugal Blower and Its Effective Use in High Static Pressure Area
1. Introduction
With small fans, selecting the right fan (air flow method)
that fits its purpose is extremely important from the
standpoint of energy efficiency, noise reduction, and weight
reduction. However, there are a great number of types of
small fans. In addition, their purposes range widely from
cooling, air blasting, and ventilation. Therefore, we must
select a fan that most fits its purpose. Here, we introduce one
small fan type, the Sirocco fan. We will explain its
characteristic of high efficiency and low noise in a high static
pressure environment and its appropriateness for cooling
recent high density mounting equipment.
Fan Type
Propeller
Fan
(Axial)
Sirocco Fan
(Centrifugal
with multiple
blades)
Cross Flow
Fan
(Through
flow, Cross
flow)
Air Flow
Air Flow
Air Flow
RENGA No.162
ORIENTAL MOTOR
Maximum Total Pressure Efficiency max [%]
w1
c1
w2
u1
c2
u2
90
80
70
Turbo Blower
Radial Fan
Axial Fan
Turbo Fan with Streamlined
Stator Vanes
60
Fan with Multiple Vanes
50
8 100
5 6
8 1000
3 4000
Specific Speed ns
Q1
=
Q2
( )
D1
D2
P1/( 1 g)
=
P2/( 2 g)
N1 ....................................................(1)
N2
( )( )
D1
D2
N1
N2
............................... (2)
Q : Airflow
D: Runner diameter
: Density
P : Static pressure
N : Rotational speed
g : Gravitational acceleration
A
400
Q11/2
Q11/2
= N2
N1
3/4
[P1/( 1 g)]
[P2/( 2 g)]3/4
.......... (3)
MB1255-B
100(V)50(Hz)
MB1040-B
100(V)50(Hz)
200
MRS16-BUL
100(V)50(Hz)
MRS18-BUL
100(V)50(Hz)
Specific Speed ns, = 2000
Maximum Efficiency for Propeller Fan
100
ns = N
Q11/2
[P1/( g)]3/4
........................................ (4)
B
0
0
6
Air Flow [m3/mn]
10
12
ORIENTAL MOTOR
This is because while centrifugal-flow sirocco fans are
suitable for increasing pressure, axial-flow propeller fans are
suitable for increasing airflow.
The characteristics of sirocco fans MB1040-B and
MB1255-B, and that of propeller fans MRS16-BUL and
MRS18-BUL are also shown in the Figure 6.
Sirocco fans show high static pressure characteristics and
propeller fans shows high airflow characteristics. In other
words, both fans show characteristic that agrees with what we
saw with the optimum specific speed ns.
The intersection of the airflow-static pressure characteristic
curve with curve A and B is the optimum operating point. The
area shown with oval around the point is the recommended
operation zone.
2.3 Input
Airflow-Input characteristic of sirocco fan MB1255-B
and propeller fan MRS16-BUL is shown in the Figure 7.
120
Sirocco Fan
MB1255-B
100(V)60(Hz)
Input [W]
100
Propeller Fan
MRS18-BUL
100(V)60(Hz)
80
80
40
0
10
12
14
Chamber
Aperture
1m
Microphone
Sound Absorbing
Material
Outlet
RENGA No.162
60
Sirocco Fan
MB1255-B
100(V)60(Hz)
70
Propeller Fan
MRS18-BUL
100(V)60(Hz)
60
50
0
6
8
3
Air Flow [m /mn]
10
12
14
3. Fan Selection
3.1 Fan Selection Procedure
There are several methods to select a fan. A fan shall be
selected with the following procedure.
1. Find required ventilation flow rate and airflow from
the upper limit of the temperature rise in the system,
generated calorie, and required passing air speed.
2. Find pressure loss (resistance curve) of the system.
3. Calculate required airflow of the fan from the step 1
and 2, and select the best fan.
ORIENTAL MOTOR
Here we skip step 1, supposing that these values are known
and describe from step 2. See (1), (2), and (3) in the
bibliography for the step 1 and other selection examples and
methods.
3.2 Pressure Loss (Resistance Curve)
If an object is placed in the air current, the object acts as
resistance that blocks the air current.
For example, when ventilating inside the enclosure, internal
components, flow path, and the shape of outlet act as
resistance. If a fan is to be used for cooling, the object to be
cooled and ducts connected act as resistance.
The loss caused by such resistance is called pressure loss
and represented by static pressure [Pa].
Pressure loss is almost proportional to the square of air
speed or airflow and therefore, it can be expressed with
quadratic curve. If airflow doubles, the pressure loss
quadruples.
The curve that plots the relationship between airflow and
pressure loss is called resistance curve. This resistance is
inherent in each system.
The pressure loss (resistance curve) of 35 mm and 60
mm square straight pipe (1000 mm in length) is shown in the
Figure 10.
Auxiliary Blower
Nozzle
Chamber A
Ps
Chamber B
Manometers
600
400
300
200
100
0
0
3
3
Air Flow [m /mn]
ORIENTAL MOTOR
4.1 Selection Conditions
Here is an example where a fan is to be selected for the
model that supplies air via square duct (Figure 12). The duct
is equipped with a square gate valve to adjust outlet air speed.
Gate Valve
Air Flow
Figure 13 Nozzle
600
600
Resistance Curve
CFD
500
500
Static Pressure [Pa]
Actual Measurement
400
300
200
MB1255-B
100(V)60(Hz)
400
300
200
100
100
Required Characteristic
3
Air Flow [m3/mn]
RENGA No.162
8
10
Air Flow [m3/mn]
Figure 16 Selection
12
14
16
ORIENTAL MOTOR
The characteristic of MB1255-B, a sirocco fan, is given
in the Figure 16.
We can see that this fan gives the required characteristic.
2. Selecting a propeller fan
Installing two units of MRS18-BUL in serial meets the
required characteristic (Figure 16).
4.4 Comparison
Table 2 shows the comparison of input, noise level, size,
and weight of the selected sirocco fan and propeller fans.
5. Conclusion
Along with miniaturization and technical advantages of
recent systems, the pressure loss of the system where a fan is
to be used tends to be higher and higher.
Sirocco fans have characteristics of higher efficiency and
lower noise level at higher static pressure. And we found that
sirocco fans are more advantageous than propeller fans in
terms of efficiency, noise level, and weight if the pressure loss
is great and operating point is in high static pressure area.
When selecting a fan, finding pressure loss (resistance
curve) of the system and defining the operating point is
essential.
Table 2 Difference in Input and Noise Level between the Fans Selected
Input W
Fan
Selected Fan
Sirocco Fan
MB1255-B
MRS18-BUL
Propeller Fan
2 units in serial
Mass
kg
68
105
62
72
3.2
152
146
76
59
4.6
Writer
Masayuki TAKAHASHI
TMS Company
RENGA No.162 (Japanese Original Edition): Published in October 2002
Copyright 2004 ORIENTAL MOTOR CO., LTD.
RENGA No.162