UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

EXPERIMENT # 1
DETERMINATION OF THE PERFORMANCE
OF A FORCED DRAFT FAN TRAINING UNIT

Name: Basiano, Ryn Andrew P. Date Performed: August 27, 2023

Student No.: 20171120255 Date Submitted: August 29, 2023

Subject and Section: NME 4106 – 4ME – 1A

ENGR. EDWIN S. BAUTISTA

FACULTY-IN-CHARGE
I. TITLE: Determination of Performance of a Forced Draft Fan
II. OBJECTIVES
 To determine the operating parameters of a forced draft fan training unit at different
volume flow rates.
 To determine the correlation of variable volume flow rates to the fan efficiency.
 To determine whether there is a significant effect to the efficiency if the volume flow
rate is changed or varied.

III. APPARATUS

 Anemometer - is an instrument used to

measure the speed or velocity of air (gases)
either in a contained flow, such as airflow in a
duct, or in unconfined flows, such as
atmospheric wind. This device detects change in
some physical property of the fluid or the effect
of the fluid on a mechanical device inserted into
the flow to determine the air velocity.
Fig II-a: Anemometer

 Forced Draft Fan Training Unit – provides a

positive pressure to a system. Variety of
industries uses its basic concept. In boiler
industry FD fans were frequently used, these
fans are most often associated with the supply
of combustion air to boilers, particularly in
power generation where the forced supply of
oxygen increases the heat transfer rate and
enables a smaller boiler to produce more heat.
Fig II-b: Force Draft Fan Training unit

 Ruler - a smooth-edged strip (as of wood or metal)

that is usually marked off in units (such as inches)
and is used as a straightedge or for measuring
 Fig II-c: Ruler

 Vernier Caliper - is defined as a measuring device that is used for the measurement of
linear dimensions. It is also used for the measurement of diameters of round objects
with the help of the measuring jaws.

Fig II-d: Venier Caliper

IV. THEORY: (For improvement)

A forced-draft (FD) fan is a type of pressurized fan that gives off positive pressure within
a system. It is mainly used in industries that employ boiler systems in order to promote boiler
efficiency, but it has a wide range of applications.
Typically, outlet and inlet dampers are utilized in order to maintain the pressure in the
system. A common FD fan has a wheel at the center that hangs on a shaft along with integrated
inlet boxes.
Draft, in the context of boilers, is defined as the difference between the pressure within
the boiler and the atmosphere. In some cases, it is also described as the pressure difference in
combustion chambers that leads to air flow and flue gas movement.
Forced draft occurs when flue gases or air are retained beyond atmospheric pressure.
Generally, this is achieved by using tools like a forced-draft fan. This type of fan can be used in
various industries and processes such as:
 Energy
  Cement
 Chemical/petrochemical
 Pharmaceutical
 Control of air pollution
 Extraction of dust
 Incineration of steel parts
 Mining
 Ventilation
 Handling of fire gas

V. PROCEDURE
1. Measure the discharge diameter of the forced draft fan training unit by using a tape
measure or a ruler.

2. Check the adjusting valve if it is working or can be adjusted into ¼, ½, ¾, and full opening.
Check also the diameter inside the discharge pipe if its varying when the valve is adjusted.
After checking, connect the plug of the force draft fan training unit to an electric outlet.

Fig IV-a: Checking the Adjusting Valve

3. Check the anemometer if it is working properly. It will be used to measure the discharge
velocity of the unit. To check it, turn the upper part of the anemometer to the left to stop
the rotation reading and to the right to start the rotation. Make sure that the anemometer
will be set to zero before using.

4. Adjust the valve to ¼ opening then turn on the forced draft fan training unit.
5. Put directly the anemometer in front of the discharge pipe in order to get the
displacement which is used to get the velocity. Set 15 seconds specified time in measuring
the discharge velocity.

Fig IV-b: Placing the anemometer in

front of the discharge pipe
6. After the set time elapsed, measure the change in height displayed by the manometers
located at the front of the unit using a ruler. The 1 st manometer from the left side displays
the pressure in the suction pipe, the 2 nd manometer in the middle shows the pressure
before the diameter is changed by the adjusting valve, and the 3 rd manometer in the right
shows the pressure at the discharge pipe. Measure the height in S.I. Read the voltage (V)
and current (I) displayed at the front side of the FDF unit.

Fig IV-c: Reading the manometers

change in height

7. After measuring, turn of the FDF unit then record all the data that you gathered.
 Fig IV-d: Recording Gathered Data

8. Repeat steps 2 to 5 trials and set the valve into ½, ¾, and full opening without changing
the time.

IX. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION:

The experiment's purpose was to establish the operational characteristics of examine the
effects of a forced draft fan training device at various volume flow rates. If the volume flow rate
is altered or adjusted, the efficiency will be affected. In this experiment, the anemometer
readings and the air volume flow rate were regulated by modifying the valve into ¼ opening, ½,
¾, and full opening without changing the time. The adjustment of the fan's velocity provides
one of the effective approaches for checking the air regulation.

VALVE v Q ∆ P1 ∆ P3 ∆ PTotal P¿ Pout η

OPENING ( m/s ) ( m3 / s ) (kPa) (kPa) (kPa) (kW) (kW) (%)

1 0.1471 0.2648 0.171 0.001146 0.853

4.92 0.005521 -0.11772
4 5 7 25 2 7

1 0.5984 0.180
9.95 0.011166 -0.0981 0.5003 0.006682 3.69
2 1 84

3 0.6965 0.8044 0.183 0.011133

12.33 0.01384 -0.10791 6.80
4 1 2 48 2
0.7063 0.7946 0.183
Full 11.97 0.01343 0.08829 0.01067 5.82
2 1 48

Above is the summary table of all the data gathered that represents the operating parameters
of the fan at different adjustment of the opening of the valve. We were able to compute for the
parameters with the used of the displacement which is used to get the velocity. Looking from
the data listed, the change in height in 1st manometer reading gives off a negative value such
the suction provides a negative initial pressure for 1⁄4 to full opening of valve, - 117.7 Pascal to -
107.9 Pascal respectively. Contrarily with the 3rd manometer reading since FDF’s role is to
maintain a steady discharge of air pressure, the reading at discharge pipe gives off a higher
value of positive output.
As a result, the efficiency and air volume flow rate are directly proportional. Although, there
may be some factors that could still affect the varying condition for its efficiency. In this
experiment the students have learned that FDF’s give off positive air pressure at the discharge
pipe likewise this promotes the increase in boiler’s efficiency.

X. CONCLUSION
Based on the data acquired, it was easy to see from this experiment the crucial function,

working principle, and its performance at various volume flow rates. At the same time, it is

confirmed that altering or varying the volume flow rate has a considerable impact on efficiency.

The efficiency of the fan increases as the air volume flow rate rises. As a result, their

relationship is proportional in all ways. Once more, the efficiency percentage disparity was not

particularly large.

In addition to the positive air pressure in the discharge pipe, FDF focus on the pressure and

volume they produce for the system. FDFs maintain effective and constant air pressure in

addition to controlling air flow in a system. Although it was anticipated that the device would

provide a high value in anemometer measurement at the valve's full opening, there could still

be

a few elements that impact the improvement in fan efficiency.

Thus, forced draft fans can be used to regulate air flow in both large and small companies more

effectively. FD fans are essential industrial tools because they are resistant to corrosion, impact,

and slippage.

XI. REFERENCES
Boilers, T. (2018, December 26). What is forced draft fan? Medium. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from

https://medium.com/@thermodyneboilers/what-is-forced-draft-fan-981f7668d58e