Industrial Fans 101
An industrial fan is used for many functions that range from ventilation to food processing, cooling of electrical equipment, airborne debris collection, and more. Each application and industry faces unique challenges that will require unique solutions.
Industrial fans vary from commercial or residential options in several ways, the most crucial being their size and durability. Industrial fans use durable materials, more rugged welding, and more powerful motors for a solution designed to last many years with minimal maintenance. Powerful motors also provide industrial fans and blowers with much higher volume and pressure than standard HVAC (heating, ventilation, and cooling) systems can handle, allowing for heating and cooling of much larger spaces.
With all of the options out there, you may not know where to start when replacing your industrial fan or purchasing one for the first time. This guide will help you ask the right questions and understand the basics of each type of fan and its ideal applications.
What to Know When Choosing Your Industrial Fan
When it’s time to choose your industrial fan(s), it’s crucial to know how you will use the fan and the environment where the fan will be used. Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself as you begin your search:
- What is the volume of air (CFM) that will be required?
- What is the static pressure resistance throughout the system (in WG)?
- Will the air inside the fan be clean and dry?
- Will the air inside the fan contain moisture?
- What is the temperature of the air going through the fan?
- Is the fan being used as part of a dust collection system? If so, how large is the debris?
Having clear answers to the above questions will help guide you in your journey to finding the right industrial fan to meet your needs.
Types of Industrial Fans and Blowers
At Baghouse America, we offer a variety of fans to meet your every industrial need.
Centrifugal Fans
Centrifugal fans provide high volumes of air at low to moderate pressures, making them ideal for HVAC and general industrial uses. In addition, because they are designed for applications that require large volumes and lower pressure, centrifugal fans are an energy-efficient option.
The blades used in centrifugal fans can be designed with unique shapes and positioning to provide higher performance and tackle projects that have more demanding requirements.
Ideal Applications:
- HVAC
- Cooling and heat reduction
- Drying
- General industrial uses
Radial Bladed Fans
A radial bladed fan is a centrifugal fan that uses blades “radial” to the fan shaft, positioned to keep them clean of any particulates or mess. The positioning of the blades also allows radial bladed fans to produce high pressure. These two factors make radial bladed fans ideal for more “dirty” airflows with a low volume and high static pressure.
Often dubbed “workhorses,” radial bladed fans are commonly seen in more demanding and harsh environments.
Ideal Applications:
- Dust collection systems
- High pressure, high-temperature systems
- Sticky applications
Radial Tip / High-Efficiency Fans
Radial tip fans are rugged like radial blade fans but are more efficient. The blades are radial to the fan shaft at the outer edge of the impeller but then slope gradually toward the direction of the wheel rotation.
This unique blade design provides some of the rugged and self-cleaning features of the radial bladed fan while allowing for higher efficiency.
Ideal Applications:
- Erosive applications
- Recirculation of dust-laden gases
- Exhaust and corrosive applications
Pressure Blowers
Pressure blowers typically use radial fan blades to provide a high pressure over a low volume, allowing them to tackle some of the most demanding applications.
Ideal Applications:
- Particulate-laden airstreams (sawdust/wood chips)
- Saturated air
Your Next Industrial Fan
We understand – having so many options available for industrial fans can make the process of choosing your next industrial fan seem daunting. Let our team at Baghouse America take some of the work off your plate. With more than 20 years of experience, we are a trusted source for new industrial fans and non-proprietary replacement parts.
Contact us for a quote today, and learn how a low-cost, long-lasting industrial fan from Baghouse America can help you reach your goals.
