Technical Bulletin TBN007.

0/1998

FAN TYPES
In order to cover a wide range of applications, fans are manufactured in a variety of type. They can be classified under three general types : (a) Centrifugal, (b) Axial and (c) Mixed flow. Table 1 compares the typical characteristics of some of the most common fan types. CENTRIFUGAL FAN A fan in which the air enters the impeller axially and is discharge radially into a volute-type casing. Centrifugal fans are divided into four general classifications: Forward Curve (FC), Backward Inclined (BI), Radial Blade, and Tubular Centrifugal. The speed for a given type centrifugal fan impeller is determined by the tip speed necessary to produce the required absolute particle velocity (Fig.1). This absolute particle velocity vector relative to ground (S) has two components, one radial (r) and the other tangential (t) to the wheel. The velocity of the air relative to the blade is indicated by the blade vector (B) which is nearly tangential to the blade though some slip occurs. The length of the tip speed vector (R) as shown in the diagram, indicates the relative wheel RPM to produce a given capacity. By examining the relative length of the R vector, it can be seen that the FC fan requires the lowest tip speed for a given

Fig. 1

Centrifugal Fan Wheels

capacity, while the BI requires the highest tip speed. Forward Curve Centrifugal Fan The forward curve centrifugal fan travels at a relatively slow speed and generally is used for producing high volumes at low static pressure.

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 Typical operating range of this type of fan is from 30% to 80% wide-open volume (Fig. 2). The maximum static efficiency of 60-68% generally occurs slightly to the right of peak static pressure. The horsepower curve has an increasing slope and is referred to as an overloading type. The FC fan will surge but the magnitude is typically less than for other types. Advantages of the FC fan are low cost, slow speed which minimizes shaft and bearing size and wide operating range. The disadvantages are the shape of its performance curve which allows the possibility of paralleling, and an overloading of the motor may occur if system static pressure decreases. Also, it is not suitable for material handling because of its blade configuration. It is inherently weak structurally. Therefore, forward curved fans are generally not capable of the high speeds necessary for developing higher static pressures. Backward Inclined Fan Backward inclined fans travel about twice the speed of the forward curved fan as previously indicated by the velocity vector diagram. The normal selection range of the backward inclined fan is approximately 40-85% of wide open CMH. (See Fig. 3). Maximum static efficiency of about 80% generally occurs close to the edge of its normal operating range. Generally, the larger the fan the more efficient for a given selection. The magnitude of surge for a BI fan is greater than for an FC fan. Advantages of the BI fan are higher efficiency and nonoverloading power curve. The power curve generally reaches a maximum in the middle of the normal operating range, thus overloading is normally not a problem. Inherently stronger design makes it suitable for higher static pressure operation.

Fig. 2

Characteristic Curve For FC Fan

Fig. 3

Characteristic Curve For BI Fan

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 The BI fans disadvantages include first, the higher speed which requires larger shaft and bearing sizes and places more importance on proper balance, and secondly, unstable operation occurs as block-tight static pressure is approached. This fan is also unsuitable for material handling. A refinement of the flat-blade, backward inclined fan makes use of airfoil shaped blades. This improves the static efficiency to about 86% and reduces noise level slightly. The magnitude of surge also increases with the airfoil blades. Characteristic curves for airfoil fans are shown in Fig. 4. reason why they are not used for air conditioning duty. The radial blade fan is well suited for handling low volumes at relatively high static pressures and for material handling. Absence of surge and a nearly straight power curve with linear relationship with CMH are its other advantages. This proportional relationship allows capacity control to be actuated from motor power input. Disadvantages of this type of fan are higher cost and lower efficiency.

Fig. 4

Characteristic Curve For Airfoil Fan

Fig. 5

Characteristic Curve For Radial Blade Fan

Radial Blade Fans Radial blade fans (Fig. 5) are generally narrower than other types of centrifugal fans. Consequently, they require a larger diameter wheel for a given capacity. This increases the cost and is the main

Tubular Centrifugal Fans Tubular centrifugal fans, illustrated in Fig. 6, generally consist of a single width airfoil wheel arranged in a cylinder to discharge air radially against the inside of the cylinder. Air is then

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 deflected parallel with the fan shaft to provide straight-through flow. Vanes are used to recover static pressure and straighten air flow. Characteristic curves are shown in Fig. 7. The selection range is generally about the same as the scroll type BI or airfoilblade wheel, 50-85% of wide open volume. However, because there is no housing of the turbulent air flow path through the fan, static efficiency is reduced to a maximum of about 72% and the noise level is increased. Frequently, the straight-through flow results in significant space saving. This is the main advantage of tubular centrifugal fans. AXIAL FANS Axial fans are divided into three groups propeller, tubeaxial, and vaneaxial. The propeller fan (Fig. 8) is well suited for high volumes of air at little or no static pressure differential. Tubeaxial and vaneaxial fans (Fig. 9), are simply propeller fans mounted in a cylinder and are similar except for vane type straighteners on the vaneaxial. These vanes remove much of the swirl from the air and improve efficiency. Thus, a vaneaxial fan is more efficient than a tubeaxial and can reach higher pressures. Note that with axial fans the BkW is maximum at block-tight static pressure. With centrifugal fans the BkW is minimum at block-tight static pressure. Advantages of tube and vaneaxial flow fans are the reduced size and weight and straight-through air flow which frequently eliminates elbows in the ductwork.The maximum static efficiency of an industrial vaneaxial fan is

Fig. 6

Tabular Centrifugal Fan

Fig. 7

Characteristic Curve For Tabular Centrifugal Fan

Fig. 8

Characteristic Curve For Propeller Fan

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 approximately 85%. The operating range for axial fans is from about 65% to 90%. The disadvantages of axial fans are high noise level and lower efficiency than centrifugal fans. In recent years, more sophisticated design of vaneaxial fans has made it possible to use these fans at pressures comparable to those developed by the airfoil backward inclined fans, with equal overall efficiency. These fans have variable pitch blades which can be activated by an external operator. For large-size fans requiring motor power above 75 kW, it is comparatively simple to change the fan characteristics by using either a manual or pneumatic controller. The disadvantage of these fans is their high noise level; sound traps are generally required both upstream and downstream. Despite this added acoustical requirement, the initial cost of these fans compares favorably with the airfoil BI fans MIXED FLOW FANS This type of fan has an airpath through the impeller which is between that of the axial and centrifugal types. It is capable of being constructed to provide either axial or radial discharge and produces more head than a comparable flow fan. (Fig.10 )

Fig. 9

Characteristic Curve For Vaneaxial Fans (high performance)

Fig. 10

Mixed Flow Fan

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 Table 1

TYPE IMPELLER DESIGN
Highest efficiency of all centrifugal fan designs. 10 to 16 blades of airfoil contour curved away from direction of rotation. Deep blades allow for efficient expansion within blade passages. Air leaves impeller at velocity less than tip speed. For given duty,has highest speed of centrifugal fan designs. Efficiency only slightly less than airfoil fan. 10 to 16 single-thickness blades curved or inclined away from direction of rotation. Efficient for same reasons as airfoil fan.

Types of Fans
HOUSING DESIGN
Scroll-type design for efficient conversion of velocity pressure to static pressure. Maximum efficiency requires close clearance and alignment between wheel and inlet.

AIRFOIL

CENTRIFUGAL FANS

BACKWARDINCLINED BACKWARDCURVED

Uses same housing configuration as airfoil design.

Higher pressure characteristics than airfoil, backward-curved, and backward-inclined fans. Curve may have a break to left of peak pressure and fan should not be operated in this area. Power rises continually to free delivery.

Scroll. Usually narrowest of all centrifugal designs. Because wheel design is less efficient, housing dimensions are not as critical as for airfoil and backward-inclined fans.

RADIAL

Flatter pressure curve and lower efficiency than the airfoil, backward-curved, and backward-inclined. Do not rate fan in the pressure curve dip to the left of peak pressure. Power rises continually toward free delivery. Motor selection must take this into account. Low efficiency Limited to low-pressure applications. Usually low cost impellers have two or more blades of single thickness attached to relatively small hub. Primary energy transfer by velocity pressure.

FORWARDCURVED

Scroll similar to and often identical to other centrifugal fan designs. Fit between wheel and inlet not as critical as for airfoil and backward-inclined fans.

AXIAL FANS

PROPELLER

Simple circular ring, orifice plate, or venturi. Optimum design is close to blade tips and forms smooth airfoil into wheel.

TUBEAXIAL

Somewhat more efficient and capable of developing more useful static pressure than propeller fan. Usually has 4 to 8 blades with airfoil or singlethickness cross section. Hub usually less than transfer by velocity pressure.

Cylindrical tube with close clearance to blade tips.

Good blade design gives medium- to high-pressure capability at good efficiency. Most efficient of these fans have airfoil blades. Blades may have fixed, adjustable, or controllable pitch. Hub is usually greater than half fan tip diameter. Performance similar to backward-curved fan except capacity and pressure are lower. Lower efficiency than backward-curved fan. Performance curve may have a dip to the left of peak pressure.

VANEAXIAL

Cylindrical tube with close clearance to blade tips. Guide vanes upstream or downstream from impeller increase pressure capability and efficiency.

SPECIAL DESIGNS

TUBULAR CENTRIFUGAL

Cylindrical tube similar to vaneaxial fan, except clearance to wheel is not as close. Air discharges radially from wheel and turns 90 to flow through guide vanes.

POWER ROOF VENTILATORS

Low-pressure exhaust systems such as general factory, kitchen, warehouse, and some commercial installations. Provides positive exhaust ventilation, which is an advantage over gravity-type exhaust units. Centrifugal units are slightly quieter than axial units. Low-pressure exhaust systems such as general factory, kitchen, warehouse, and some commercial installations. Provide positive exhaust ventilation, which is an advantage over gravity-type exhaust units.

CENTRIFUGAL

Normal housing not used, since air discharges from impeller in full circle. Usually does not include configuration to recover velocity pressure component.

Essentially a propeller fan mounted in a supporting structure. Hood protects fan from weather and acts as safety guard. Air discharges from annular space at bottom of weather hood.

AXIAL

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Technical Bulletin - TBN007.0/1998 Table 1

PERFORMANCE CURVES*

Types of Fans (Concluded)

APPLICATIONS
General heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning applications. Usually only applied to large systems, which may be lowmedium- or high-pressure applications. Applied to large, clean -air industrial operations for significant energy savings. Same heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning applications as airfoil fan. Used in some industrial applications where airfoil blade may corrode or erode due to environment.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Highest efficiencies occur at 50 to 60% of wide open volume. This volume also has good pressure characteristics. Power reaches maximum near peak efficiency and becomes lower, or self-limiting, toward free delivery.

Similar to airfoil fan, except peak efficiency slightly lower.

Higher pressure characteristics than airfoil and backwardcurved fans. Pressure may drop suddenly at left of peak pressure, but this usually causes no problems. Power rises continually to free delivery.

Primarily for materials handling in industrial plants. Also for some high-pressure industrial requirements. Rugged wheel is simple to repair in the field. Wheel sometimes coated with special material. Not common for HVAC applications.

Pressure curve less steep than that of backward-curved fans. Curve dips to left of peak pressure. Highest efficiency to right of peak pressure at 40 to 50% of wide open volume. Rate fan to right of peak pressure. Account for power curve, which rises continually toward free delivery, when selecting motor. High flow rate, but very low-pressure capabilities. Maximum efficiency reached near free delivery. Discharge pattern circular and airstream swirls.

Primarily for low-pressure HVAC applications, such as residential furnaces, central station units, and packaged air conditioners.

For low-pressure, high-volume air moving applications, such as air circulation in a space or ventilation through a wall without ductwork. Used for makeup air applications.

High flow rate, medium-pressure capabilities. Performance curve dips to left of peak pressure. Avoid operating fan in this region. Discharge pattern circular and airstream rotates or swirls.

Low- and medium-pressure ducted HVAC applications where air distribution downstream is not critical. Used in some industrial applications, such as drying ovens, paint spray booths, and fume exhausts.

High-pressure characteristics with medium-volume flow capabilities. Performance curve dips to left peak pressure due to aerodynamic stall. Avoid operating fan in this region. Guide vanes correct circular motion imparted by wheel and improve pressure characteristics and efficiency of fan. Performance similar to backward-curved fan, except capacity and pressure is lower. Lower efficiency than backward-curved fan because air turns 90. Performance curve of some designs is similar to axial flow fan and dips to left of peak pressure. Usually operated without ductwork; therefore, operates at very low pressure and high volume. Only static pressure and static efficiency are shown for this fan.

General HVAC systems is low-, medium-, and highpressure applications where straight-through flow and compact installation are required. Has good downstream air distribution. Used in industrial applications in place of tubeaxial fans. More compact than centrifugal fans for same duty. Primarily for low-pressure, return air systems in HVAC applications. Has straight-through flow.

Low-pressure exhaust systems, such as general factory, kitchen, warehouse, and some commercial installations. Low first cost and low operating cost give an advantage over gravity flow exhaust systems. Centrifugal units are somewhat quieter than axial flow units. Low-pressure exhaust systems, such as general factory, kitchen, warehouse, and some commercial installations. Low first cost and low operating cost give an advantage over gravity flow exhaust systems.

Usually operated without ductwork; therefore, operates at very low pressure and high volume. Only static pressure and static efficiency are shown for this fan.

* These performance curves reflect general characteristics of various fans as commonly applied. They are not intended to provide complete selection criteria, since other parameters, such as diameter and speed, are not defined.

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