C H A P T E R T H I RT Y-T W O

FANS

ans are volumetric machines that move quantities of air (or other gases), overcoming resistance to flow by supplying the energy necessary for continued motion. Fans are similar in many respects to pumps and compressors. All three are turbomachines that transfer energy to a flowing fluid. While fans are easily distinguished from pumps (which handle liquids), distinctions between fans and compressors are not so clearly defined. Historically, distinctions have been made on the basis of compression ratio or density change. For most purposes, low-pressure-rise machines may be classified as fans and high-pressure-rise machines may be classified as compressors. A broad distinction is that the function of a compressor is generally to increase pressure, whereas fans are generally used to propel the air or gas.

FAN COMPONENTS
Fans typically include the following components: The impeller is the rotating element that transfers energy to the fluid. Impellers may be referred to as wheels, rotors, or, in certain designs, squirrel cages or propellers. The blades, or vanes, are the principal working surfaces of the impeller. The housing, also referred to as the casing or stator, is the stationary element that guides the air or gas across the impeller. The inlet, which may be referred to as the eye or suction, is the opening through which air enters the fan. The outlet, or discharge, is the opening through which air leaves the fan. Stationary vanes may be used to guide the flow. Vanes before the impeller are referred to as inlet-guide vanes. Vanes after the impeller are referred to as discharge-guide, or straightening, vanes.

cross-flow fans. Axial-flow fans produce flow in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotation, while radial-flow (or centrifugal) fans produce a flow that is parallel to the radius of rotation. The axial-flow fan most commonly used is the disk or propeller fan, which consists of a propeller or a disk wheel placed within a ring casing or plate. It is the simplest type of fan and is best adapted to applications with high flow against low frictional resistance (through-wall building exhaust fans are an example). Figure 32-2 is a cutaway view illustration of an axial-flow fan. When an axial-flow fan is placed in a cylindrical drumtype housing equipped with stationary directional vanes, it is called a vane-axial-flow fan. Vanes straighten discharge airflow that would otherwise follow a spiral path. If vanes are not part of the assembly, the fan is called tube-axial. Axialflow fans operate at good efficiencies and satisfactory sound emission levels if properly selected for air delivery and system

FAN TYPES
Figure 32-1 illustrates the aerodynamic classification of fans. If fans are classified according to the direction of the flow through the impeller, there are four distinctive types: axial-flow and radial-flow fans (the types normally encountered in general service), mixed-flow fans, and

Fig. 32-1 Aerodynamic Classification of Fans. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

Copyright 2003 by The Fairmont Press.

Combined Heating, Cooling & Power Handbook: Technologies & Applications

Fig. 32-2 Cutaway View Illustration of Axial-Flow Fan. Source: Babcock and Wilcox

Fig. 32-3 Cutaway View of Vane-Axial Fan. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

resistance. Figure 32-3 shows a cutaway view of a vaneaxial fan. Radial or centrifugal fans are typically selected for airflows having higher frictional resistance. The impeller is mounted in a scroll-type housing, with the air entering the impeller parallel to the axis of rotation and leaving radially.

The scroll formation of the fan housing converts the kinetic energy of the discharge air into potential energy in the form of static pressure. Figure 32-4 is an exploded-view of a centrifugal fan. Figure 32-5 illustrates the various blade designs for centrifugal fans. Fans are classified according to blade configuration as follows: Radial-blade types can achieve high static pressure at high rotational speed, but have relatively low airflow capacity. These are rugged units that offer moderate efficiency. Forward-curved blade types develop high airflows at lower rotational speeds and are smaller and quieter. Input power requirement and delivered static pressure rise rapidly (allowing motor overloading) as airflow is increased under free-delivery conditions. Backward-curved or backward-inclined blade types typically develop lower airflows with higher delivered static pressure. These types have a non-overloading power characteristic, with input power and static pressure falling as airflow is increased under freedelivery conditions. Backward-curved fans operate at high efficiency, although with high sound emission levels. When the backward-curved blades are manufactured with an airfoil cross-section, there are measurable gains in stability, performance, and efficiency. Airfoil centrifugal fans are also relatively quiet. Whether a forward- or backward-curved blade is used depends on sound emission limitations, efficiency, and desired performance characteristics. The maximum mechanical efficiencies obtainable for the listed fan types are not widely different, although there are marked differences in the way power and static pressure vary with changes in airflow. Centrifugal fans usually have a minimum sound emission level near the point of maximum efficiency. If a fan is noisy, it is often running at high speed to meet an excessive static pressure requirement or is undersized for the application.

FAN FORMULAS

AND

AFFINITY LAWS

Fig. 32-4 Exploded View of Centrifugal Fan. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

In fan engineering, standard air is considered to be air with a density of 0.075 lbm/ft3 when English units are used and 1.2 kg/m3 when SI units are used. Commonly applied industry values for standard air are shown in Table 32-1. For moist air, it is common to assume a humidity of 50% and a temperature of 68F (527.7R) in English units and 20C (293.2K) in SI units. Flow rates may be considered on a mass or volumetric basis. On a mass basis, the flow rate is the mass of the

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(in.) of water (the pressure exerted by a column of water 1 in. high) or in. of mercury (Hg) for higher ranges at 60F (15.55C). One in. of water equals 0.036 psi and 1 in. of mercury equals 13.6 in. of water. In SI units, 1 millimeter (mm) of Hg equals 13.6 mm of water and 0.133 Pa. Head (h) is the ratio of pressure (p) and fluid density (), expressed as follows: h = p (32-1)

If fluids other than Hg or water are used for measuring pressure, the conversion is based on the relationship: h1 p1 = h2 p2 (32-2)

where the subscripts 1 and 2 denote the fluids under consideration. Fan total pressure (Pt ) is the difference between the total pressure at the fan outlet and the total pressure at the fan inlet. Total pressure is expressed as: P t= P t2 P t1 If the fan draws directly from atmosphere: P t1 = 0 If the fan discharges directly to atmosphere:
Fig. 32-5 Blade Design for Backward, Radial, and Forward Tips. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

(32-3)

Pt2 = Pv2 Fan velocity pressure (Pv ) is the pressure that corresponds to the average velocity at the fan outlet. This is expressed as: q /A 2 a Pv = v2 2 (32-4) 1,097

Table 32-1 Commonly Applied Industry Values for Standard Air Condition Property Dry Air Pressure Temperature Humidity Density English Units 29.921 in. Hg 70F (529.7R) 0% 0.075 lbm/ft3 SI Units 101.325 kPa 21C (294.2K) 0% 1.2 kg/m3

or, as: Pv =

fluid passing through the fan per unit of time. Since air or gas is compressible, the volumetric flow rate will vary depending on the location at which it is measured. The volumetric flow rate at the fan inlet is equal to the mass flow rate divided by the gas density. The same static and dynamic head or pressure components that exist with pumps are present in compressible flow applications. Pressure gauges are calibrated in inches

v 1,097

(32-5)

Where: Pv = Fan velocity pressure (in wg) qv = Volumetric flow rate at fan outlet (in cfm) A = Flow area at fan outlet (in ft2) a = Fan air density at fan outlet (in lbm/ft3) v = Velocity (in ft/min)

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In SI units, when Pv is in kPa, a is kg/m3 and v is in m/s, Equation 32-5 becomes: Pv = av 2 2 (32-5a)

t s

Pt

(32-11)

For air at standard density, fan velocity pressure can be expressed as: pv =

( )
v K

(32-6)

where K is a dimensionless compressibility factor defined as the ratio of fan total pressure that would be developed with an incompressible fluid. Fan static pressure (Ps ) is the difference between fan total pressure and fan velocity pressure and, therefore, the difference between the static pressure at the fan outlet and the total pressure at the fan inlet. Thus: Ps = Pt Pv = Ps 2 Pt1 Fan power output (HO) is expressed as: P t qK HO = Cq (32-7)

(32-8)

Where: q = Volumetric flow rate pt = Total fan pressure K = Compressibility factor Cq = Dimensional constant When HO is expressed in hp, Pt in in. wg, and q in cfm, Cq is 6,354. When HO is expressed in kW, Pt in kPa, and q in m3/s, Cq is 1.0. Fan power input (HI) is a function of the fan power output and the fan total efficiency, t. This is expressed as: HI = Pt qK
tCq

HO
t

(32-9)

Total input power to a fan will also depend on the drivers efficiency (D ). Fan total efficiency (t) is the ratio of fan power output to fan power input, considering losses due to skin friction, turbulence, leakage, and mechanical friction. From Equation 32-9, it is expressed as:
t=

The actual power transmitted to the fluid and the actual head developed will both differ from the ideal due to various losses that affect head, power, or flow rate. Hydraulic efficiency is the ratio of the actual head to the ideal head. Head losses depend on the design of flow passages and result from skin friction and change of direction or velocity in the machine. Friction losses generally vary as the square of the velocity and, therefore, of flow rate. Volumetric efficiency is the ratio of the net volume flow rate handled by the machine to the volume flow rate handed by the impeller. Leakage flow passes through the clearance spaces between the rotating and stationary parts to recirculate through the impeller. Mechanical efficiency is the ratio of the power transmitted to the fluid to the power that is applied to the shaft. Mechanical losses include power loss due to disk friction and other losses in bearings, seals, etc. The term slip refers to the fact that the impeller does not develop the full ideal head, nor transmit the full ideal power because the fluid leaves the impeller at a small angle to the tangential direction. Slip differs from other losses in that it will occur even with an ideal fluid. Figure 32-6 shows calculated centrifugal fan performance characteristics for radial, forward curved, and backward-inclined blades. Head (H) and power (P) are Ideal head and power are indicated versus flow rate (Q). indicated with subscript E. For radial-tip fans, the theoretical power is directly proportional to the flow rate. However, for forwardly curved tips, the theoretical power rises much more rapidly and, for backwardly curved tips, much less rapidly, even to the point where it may fall off with increasing flow rate. The fan laws summarized in Table 32-2 correspond to pump laws discussed in the previous chapter. Following are a series of examples designed to show the relationship of fan law variables.

1. Effect of Speed Variation

For a given fan size, duct system configuration, and air density: Airflow capacity varies directly as the speed ratio Pressure varies as the square of the speed ratio Input power varies as the cube of the speed ratio For example, given a fan that delivers 25,000 cfm (708 m3/m) at a static pressure of 2 in. H2O (51 mm

HO HI

(32-10)

Fan static efficiency (s ) is the product of total fan efficiency and the ratio of fan static pressure to fan total pressure. It is expressed as:

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H2O), speed of 900 rpm and draw of 15 bhp (11.2 kW), the capacity, static pressure, and power at 1,200 rpm are:
Capacity: (25,000)(1,200/900) Static pressure: (2.0) (1,200/900)2 Power: (15) (1,200/900)3 = 33,333 cfm (944 m3/m) = 3.6 in. H2O (91 mm H2O) = 35.6 bhp (26.5 kW)

Capacity: Speed: Power:

(25,000)(3/2) 0.5 (900) (3/2)0.5 (15) (3/2)3/2

= 30,619 cfm (867 m3/m) = 1,102 rpm = 27.6 bhp (20.6 kW)

3. Effect of Fan Size Variation

For a constant pressure, density, point of rating, and fan type: Airflow capacity and input power vary as the square of the wheel diameter Speed varies inversely as the wheel diameter For example, if the fan in the first example has a wheel diameter of 48 in. (122 cm), the capacity, pressure, and power for a similar fan with a wheel diameter of 60 in. (152 cm) running at the same rpm is:
Capacity: Static Pressure: Power: (25,000) (1/1) (60/48)3 = 48,828 cfm (1,383 m3/m)

2. Effect of Pressure Variation

For a given fan size, duct system configuration, and air density: Airflow capacity and speed vary as the square root of the pressure. Input power varies as the pressure ratio (3/2). For example, given the fan in the example above, the capacity, speed, and power if the static pressure is increased to 3 in. H2O (76 mm H2O) are:
Forwardly-Curved Tip
H'E

(2.0) (1/1)2 (60/48)2 = 3.13 in. H2O ( 79.5 mm H2O) (15)(48,828/25,000)(3.13/2.0) = (15) (60/48)5 = 45.8 bhp (34.1 kW)

Design Point

Shock Leakage
P P'E

Friction

4. Effect of Simultaneous Fan Size and Speed Variation

For a constant pressure, density, point of rating, and fan type: Airflow capacity varies as the product of speed and the cube of the wheel diameter. Pressure varies as the product of the square of the speed and the square of the wheel diameter. Input power varies as the product of capacity and pressure or the cube of the speed and the fifth power of the wheel diameter.

Head (H)

Radial Tip Shock Design Point

H'E

Friction

Leakage
P P 'E

5. Effect of Varying Inlet Air Density

For constant pressure, the speed, capacity, and input power vary inversely as the square root of the density, i.e., inversely as the square root of the barometric pressure and directly as the square root of the absolute temperature. For constant capacity and speed, the input power and pressure vary directly with the air density, i.e., directly as the barometric pressure and inversely as the absolute temperature. Consider, for example, a fan selected to handle 25,000 cfm (708 m3/m) at 68F (20C) air at 2 in. (51 mm) static pressure, and requiring 15 bhp (11.2 kW). If the speed remains the same but the air temperature drops to 32F (0C), the static pressure and hp are:

Power (P )

Backwardly-Curved Tip Shock Design Point

H'E

Friction

Leakage
P P 'E

Fig. 32-6 Calculated Performance Characteristics for Three Centrifugal Fan Blade Designs. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

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Static Pressure: (2.0) (459.67 + 68) / (459.67 + 32) Power: (15)(459.67 + 68) / (459.67 + 32)

= =

2.15 in. H2O (55 mm H2O) 16.1 bhp (12.0 kW)

Table 32-2 Summary of Fan Laws

Variable Volume When Speed Changes Varies directly with speed ratio When Density Changes Does not change

q2 = q1
Pressure

( )
N1
Varies directly with density ratio

N2

(32-12)

Varies with square of speed ratio

P2 = P1
Power Where: N = Speed of rotation H = Fan power input r = Fan air density q = Fan capacity P = Fan pressure

( )
N1 N2 N1

N2

P2 = P1

( )
1

(32-13)

Varies with cube of speed ratio

Varies directly with density ratio

H2 = H1

( )

H2 = H1

( )
1

(32-14)

FAN SELECTION

AND

CONTROL

Many fan designs are designated based on their typical field of application. Examples include: Ventilating fans, are typically designed for clean-air service at normal temperatures. Heavy-duty ventilating fan designs may be selected for application under severe conditions. Industrial exhausters are typically designed with a focus on simplicity, durability, and the ability to withstand corrosive environments. Pressure blowers are designed to withstand the high tip speeds required to develop high pressures. Mechanical draft fans are designed for the capacities, temperatures, and environmental conditions encountered in a variety of combustion systems. The fan specification should provide the supplier with necessary information regarding performance, service, arrangements, duct layout, size of the connecting ductwork, and any unique site-specific conditions. The fan output must be sufficient to overcome the losses caused by the various system elements. In an open system, differences in kinetic energy between inlet and outlet must also be considered. The effects of leakage, heat transfer, pressurization, and other fans operating in the system

must be taken into account. Factors that affect air or gas density, such as barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity, must be considered, as well as any entrained material such as dust. Fans can operate at any flow rate, from zero to maximum (free air delivery). Performance of a fan in a given application depends on the system characteristics and the fan pressure characteristics. Fan performance rating is a procedure, based on the fans laws, that permits the determination of variables such as flow rate, specific output, gas density, fan size, speed, input power, sound power level, and

Sound Power Level In dB re 10 -12 Watts

100 95 90 85 80 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 .8 .6 .5 .2 0

Sound

Power Level
110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 18

dB Speci fic So 40 lus und Pow s u re e v el P L e r s e r P l Tota re c P ressu Stati

Efficiencies in Percent & Specific Speed in 1000's of RPM

Type BL 36.5 In. Diam. 600 RPM 0.075 LBM/FT3

Specific Diameter in Inches & Pressure in In. WG

d pee ific S Spec Specific D iameter

2 1 0

10

12

14

16

Flow Rate in 1000's of CFM

Fig. 32-7 Typical Fan Test Curves. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

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Power in HP

ncy icie Eff iciency l f a f t To atic E r St owe sep H or

4 3

Fans

34

W.O.

12

14

Pi

FAN OD
Fig. 32-9 Power Savings Potential with Outlet Damper Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

Fig. 32-8 Family of Fan Performance Curves. Source: Babcock and Wilcox

32-9, some power reduction accompanies the capacity reduction as the damper position is changed from wide-open to 3/4 to 1/2 to 1/4 open. Note that this is only true if the basic power characteristic of the fan is of the type shown which has a positive performance slope. In some cases, particularly with axial-flow and propeller fans, the fans power characteristic will have a negative slope over part of the range and there will be a

efficiency. Figure 32-7 shows a typical base performance test curve that relates several performance characteristics to airflow rate. For a given fan, performance values can be changed by varying the operating speed (rpm) to yield a family of curves. Figure 32-8 shows a family of fan performance curves over an operating range of 860 to 1,160 rpm. The curves show static pressure and shaft hp versus flow output. Fan capacity must often be controlled to meet varying system airflow requirements. The impact on performance of alternative control methods can be determined using the fan laws. Following is a discussion of various methods of control, along with an illustration of power requirement versus flow under varying load conditions. Outlet damper control is a throttling method that decreases air volume at constant speed by adding some resistance to the system. The maximum turndown rate is determined by the leakage rate at the fully closed position, although, in some cases, fan operation may be unstable under very low load. As shown in Figure

34

W.O.

12

Pi
14

IBD

FAN

Fig. 32-10 Power Savings Potential with Inlet Box Damper Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

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power increase rather than a power reduction if the fan is throttled with an outlet damper. Fan performance at 100% capacity is typically reduced slightly due to pressure losses across the dampers in the wide-open position. Inlet box damper (IBD) control decreases air volume at constant speed with a resistance effect, as well as a flow-modifying effect. Like outlet dampers, the maximum turndown rate is limited by leakage through the damper at the fully closed position. As shown in Figure 32-10, some power reduction can be achieved when inlet box dampers are applied to a fan with a positively sloping power characteristic. The spin produced by the IBD also provides a greater reduction in input power than is achieved using outlet box dampers. Variable inlet vanes (VIV) are designed to spin the air in the direction of fan rotation, providing better fan efficiency at lower flow rates than simple damper control. Like inlet box dampers, VIVs can be considered to have a resistance effect as well as a flow-modifying effect, although VIVs are more effective as they are usually placed close to the impeller. As shown in Figure 32-11, VIVs usually save more power than do IBDs. Variable blade pitch control is used for axial-flow fans. Flow is controlled at constant speed by varying the blade angle of the fan to create the optimal

W.O.

Pi

34

12 14

VP

FAN

Fig. 32-12 Power Savings Potential with Variable Blade Pitch Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

aerodynamic configuration at each point of operation. As the blade angle is adjusted from minimum to maximum, the change in flow is nearly linear. Variation in pitch can be achieved in various ways, including manually and automatically using pneumatic or hydraulic systems. For a properly designed

W.O. W.O.
34

Pi

Pi
14

12 34

12

0 0

14

FAN VIV FAN VS

Fig. 32-13 Power Savings Potential with Variable Speed Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

Fig. 32-11 Power Savings Potential with Variable Inlet Vane Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

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fan with variable-pitch capability, the power savings can be significant, as indicated by Figure 32-12. Variable speed operation is usually the most efficient means of capacity control for centrifugal fans. As indicated by Figure 32-13, power savings are significant and predictable according to the fan laws, and stable

OD IBD VIV Pi VSi

operation occurs at all speed settings for the given system. Lower sound levels are also achieved under partial load. The turndown ratio will be limited by the minimum speed that the variable-speed driver can achieve. The full-speed curve will be identical to the fan curve without the variable speed device if no slip occurs, although a small power loss typically occurs in the variable speed device. Figure 32-14 compares various methods of capacity control. The potential impact of slip losses on power savings is indicated by the difference between the variable speed curves with subscripts i and o. Figure 32-15 illustrates the power savings that can be achieved using multiple fans to vary airflow capacity. Only limited control is possible when two fans are used; however, dampers, vanes, pitch, or speed control can also be used for one or both fans.

VSo VP 0

FAN DRIVER OPTIONS

As with pumps and most other mechanical drive equipment, ac electric induction motors predominate as fan drivers, and several effective control methods can be used with standard constant-speed electric motors. Speed control can also be achieved using variable-pitch belt drives, hydrokinetic and hydroviscous fluid drives, multiple-speed ac motors, dc drives, ac variable frequency drives (VFDs), and the three main classes of prime movers reciprocating engines, gas turbines, and steam turbines. Fans are generally not pre-packaged with prime movers because applications and equipment types are too diverse. However, once the requirements of the application are identified, packaging a fan with a prime mover is relatively simple and inexpensive. Similar to pumps, there are three common configurations: a single prime mover drive, a mixed system (or hybrid) set up using one fan and two drivers on a shaft, and a hybrid setup using two driver/fan sets. Following are a few examples of common applications for prime mover-driven fans. Back-pressure steam turbines are economical for a variety of industrial applications and are often used as drivers for large capacity boiler fans. They are commonly applied in mixed system configurations, along with an electric motor drive. Boilers are controlled by varying combustion air and fuel flow. The lower the airflow, the lower the firing rate or the greater the boiler turndown. Fan variable inlet vanes tend to flutter at low flow rates, and can thus limit boiler turndown in constant-speed applications. The combination of variable speed and inlet vanes may allow for a

Fig. 32-14 Comparison of Power Savings Potential with Various Methods of Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

Two Fans
Pi

One Fan

FAN FAN
Fig. 32-15 Comparison of Power Savings Potential with Use of Multiple Parallel Fans as a Means of Control. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

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lower minimum firing rate. The use of back-pressure steam turbine-driven fans is somewhat common for large boiler operations, with the back-pressure steam being used for feedwater heating. As airflow requirements are reduced at lower firing rates, deaerator and feedwater heating requirements are also reduced, often producing a system that is practically self-governing. Because boiler fans are critical for plant operation and because an independent power source may be needed for plant start-up, hybrid systems are often used. As with pumps, a convenient and cost-effective arrangement is to have a fan with a double ended shaft a steam turbine on one side and an electric motor on the other. Figures 32-16 and 32-17 show dual-drive boiler fans featuring steam turbine and electric motor drives. Both fans serve a 40,000 lbm/h (18,000 kg/h) steam boiler. Figure 32-16 shows a dual-drive, forced draft boiler fan driven at 1,750 rpm by either a 17 hp (13 kW) back-pressure steam turbine or a 20 hp (15 kW) electric motor. Figure 32-17 shows an induced-draft boiler fan driven by a 26 hp (19 kW) steam turbine. The turbine operates at 4,000 rpm with an inlet steam pressure of 195 psig (14.5 bar). The turbine exhausts steam at 5 psig (1.4 bar), which feeds a deaerator tank. The alternative drive for this fan is a 30 hp (22 kW) electric motor. Though sometimes used for industrial process applications, combustion engines are mostly used only in remote field applications or for reliability as a non-electric mechanical energy source for critical applications. Figure 32-18 shows a reciprocating engine driving a blower to aerate digester gas basins at a pollution control plant. Prime movers are often used for emergency exhaust

Fig. 32-17 Induced Draft Fan Featuring Steam Turbine and Electric Motor Drive. Source: UTC Sikorsky Aircraft

Fig. 32-18 Reciprocating Engine Driving Blower at 1,000 RPM to Aerate Basins at Pollution Control Plant. Source: Waukesha Engine Division

Fig. 32-16 Forced Draft Fan Featuring Steam Turbine and Electric Motor Drive. Source: UTC Sikorsky Aircraft

fans and other critical fan applications. Figure 32-19 shows a natural gas-fired reciprocating engine-driven cooling fan for a fiberglass furnace used in making building insulation. The engine is rated at 197 hp (147 kW) at 1,600 rpm. When operating at 1,600 rpm, the fan produces 6,650 cfm (188 m3/m) of 100F (38C) air with 75 ft (23 m) H2O static pressure and a specific density of 0.692 at an elevation of 700 ft (213 m). Consider a mixed system fan drive in a waste incinerator application. The system includes an induced draft fan driven by both an electric motor and a non-condensing steam turbine. The 12-blade fan has a rotor diameter of 46.5 in. (118.1 cm) and a working blade tip width at the outside of 7.75 in. (19.7 cm). At a condition of

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Fig. 32-20 62,188 CFM Mixed System Forced Draft Fan. Source: Buffalo Forge, The Howden Fan Company

Fig. 32-19 Natural Gas-Fired Reciprocating Engine-Driven Cooling Fan. Source: Courtesy of Robinson Industries

standard air density and 70F (21C), the fan will produce 21,782 cfm (617 m3/m) against a static pressure of 34 in. (864 mm) H2O operating at 1,700 rpm and will require 159 brake hp (119 kW). At the normal operating temperature of 350F (177C), the air density is 0.0477 lbm/ft3 (0.76 kg/m3) and the fan will produce 22,000 cfm (623 m3/m) against a static pressure of 22 in. (559 mm) H2O operating at 1,700 rpm and will require 103 brake hp (77 kW). Starting is accomplished with the damper closed by the 125 hp (93 kW) motor which operates at 1,800 rpm.

As the air temperature increases during startup, the density and static pressure are reduced to the point that the fan can achieve full-load output with the 125 hp (93 kW) motor driver. When the operating temperature reaches 350F (177C), the fan can develop 22,000 cfm (623 m3/m) when driven by the lower hp steam turbine. The turbine operates with a normal inlet steam pressure of 100 psig (7.9 bar) and an exhaust pressure of 5 psig (1.4 bar). Figure 32-20 shows the assembly of a large-capacity forced draft fan designed to be driven by either an electric motor or a steam turbine. The fan is designed to produce 62,188 cfm (1,761 m3/m) against a static pressure of 37 in. (940 mm) H2O when operating at 1,480 rpm and will require 443 hp (336 kW). The electric motor drive is already mounted on the right side of the skid. The steam turbine drive will be mounted on the left side.

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