FANS AND BLOWERS 3.

FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE HEAD (hv) – (or simply Velocity

Head) corresponds to the average velocity determination
FAN – is a machine used to apply power to a gas to increase from the volume of air.
its energy content thereby causing it to flow or move.

BLOWER – is a fan used to force air under pressure which

means resistance to gas flow is imposed upon discharge.
If both static at suction
EXHAUSTER – is a fan used to withdraw air under pressure and discharge are given:
which means resistance to gas flow is imposed upon suction.

BASIC ELEMENTS IN FAN DESIGN

1. Wheel or Impeller – the rotating member 4. TOTAL HEAD (ht) – (or simply Total Head) the rise of the
2. Housing – stationary member provided with an pressure head from fan inlet to fan outlet
intake opening (inlet) and a discharge opening (outlet).

BASIC DIFFERENCE ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY 5. AIR POWER (Pa) – the power output of a fan expressed in
OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (ASME) KW or hp.
A machine which adds energy to a liquid is called a
PUMP. If a fluid being pumped is gaseous, three different
terms are employed:
1. Fan – if the pressure rise is equal to or below 1 psig 6. MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY OF A FAN ( )
2. Blower – if the pressure rise is between 50 and 1 psig
3. Compressor – if the pressure rise is above 50 psig

In general, for low-pressure work, use FAN, for those Where:

that run in middle pressures, use BLOWERS and for high- BP = power input to a fan delivered to its shaft.
pressure work, use COMPRESSOR.
7. STATIC POWER (Ps)
FUNCTIONS OF FANS
1. to move air or gases through distribution systems and
apparatus required for conditioning of buildings.
2. for drying and cooling 8. STATIC EFFICIENCY ( )
3. for pneumatic conveying
4. for dust collection, separation and exhaust
5. for mine and tunnel ventilation
6. for forced and induced draft of steam-generating units 9. FANS LAW:
a. Variable Speed (Constant fan size, constant density)
FACTORS AFFECTING FAN SELECTION
1. quantity of gas (or air) to be moved per unit time
2. estimated resistance and expected variations
3. amount of noise permitted
4. space available for the fan b. Variable Density (Constant fan size and density)
5. economic implications

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN

FAN PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN
1. FAN CAPACITY (Q) – volume handled b a fan expressed in where: d = density of air
cubic feet per minute at fan outlet conditions. P = power
h = head
N = speed

2. FAN STATIC PRESSURE HEAD (hs) – (or simply Static Head)
the total pressure diminished by the fan velocity pressure.
SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. The volume flow of air delivered by fan is 20 cu.meter/sec
and 180 mm water gage. The density of air is 1.185
kg/cu.meter and the power needed to drive the fan is 44 kW.
What is the fan efficiency?

2. A fan has a suction pressure of 30 mm water vacuum with

air velocity of 3 m/sec. The discharge has 150 mm of water
gage and discharge velocity of 7 m/sec. Determine the total
head of fan if air density is 1.2 kg/cu.meter.

If both static at suction 3. At 1.2 kg/cu. meter air density a fan develops a brake
and discharge are given: power of 100 KW. If operates at 98 kPa and 32 ˚C with the
same speed, what is the new brake power of the fan?
(SAMPLE ME Board Exam Problem)

4. A fan whose static efficiency is 40% has a capacity of

60,000 ft 3/hr at 60°F 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 shuld be used to drive the fan?

5. A fan draws 1.42 m 3 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 25°C and 760 mmHg.

6. Find the air horsepower of an industrial fan that delivers 23

m3/sec of air through a 900 mm by 1200 mm outlet. Static
pressure is 127 mm of water gage and air density is 1.18 kg/
m 3.

7. A boiler requires 90,000 m 3/hr of standard air. The

mechanical efficiency of fan to be installed is 65%. Determine
the size of driving motor assuming fan can deliver a total
pressure of 150 mm of water gauge.

8. A 50 KW motor is used to drive a fan that has a total head

of 110 m. If fan efficiency is 70%, what is the maximum
capacity of the fan using standard density of air?

9. A fan using standard air condition can developed a static

pressure head of 310 mm water gauge. If fan will operate at
93°C and 735 mm of Hg, find the new static pressure
required.

10. The total head of fan is 185 m and has a static pressure of
210 mm of water gage, what is the velocity of air flowing if
density of air is 1.15 kg/m 3.

11. 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/ m 3 and the fan delivers
9.45 m 3/sec, what is the fan efficiency when the power input
to the fan is 13.75 KW at the coupling.