BLOWERS

Single-Stage Blower:
A single-stage blower, which is shown in the side figure, it contains an impeller that is
located inside a housing. The impeller is mounted on a shaft (not shown) and
rotates inside the blower housing. The impeller is turned either by a direct drive
system or by a pulley and belt derive system if the horsepower is below 125. A
single-stage blower is commonly called a Centrifugal Fan.
Major Components:
The major components that are associated with a single-stage blower.
• Inlet
• Impeller
• Volute
• Housing
• Outlet
Operation:
The gas enters the blower axially to the impeller shaft through the inlet to
the impeller. The impeller moves the gas stream in a rotary motion,
which results in an outward velocity due to centrifugal forces. The
movement of the gas stream outward creates a low pressure area at
the center of the impeller (inlet). The lower pressure at the center of
the impeller causes the gas stream to flow into the inlet of the blower.
The rotary motion of the gas stream is transformed to pressure by
means of a volute. The volute is a gradually widening section of the
housing that surrounds the impeller and that gradually reduces the
tangential or radial velocity of the gas stream as the stream leaves
the impeller. The volute converts the velocity to pressure and directs
the flow to the compressor outlet, where the gas exits in a stream
perpendicular to the axis of the blower impeller.
Application: Single stage blowers are preferred for high volume, low
pressure application
Single Stage Fan:
Single stage axial compressors or axial flow fans, as shown in
the side figure, typically draw on an atmospheric pressure,
and they have discharge pressure up to only a few psi. A
single-stage axial compressor moves the gas stream
parallel to the compressor’s drive shaft. Single-stage axial
compressors consist of one row of blades that is attached
to a shaft. When Process requirements vary significantly,
the blades may have a variable pitch control system to
vary the discharge pressure and volume.

Major Components:
The major components associated with a single
stage axial compressor includes:
• Compressor Housing
• Inlet Nozzle
• Impeller
• Straightening or Guide Vanes
• Drive Shaft
• Discharge Nozzle
Operation:
Single stage axial compressors use a series of impeller blades that are
attached to rotating shaft to move a gas stream. As the gas enters the fan,
an inlet nozzle guides the gas to an inlet volute. The inlet volute guides
and accelerates the gas stream into the blades that are mounted on the
impeller. Each blade increases the energy of the gas by increasing the gas
velocity. Some single stage axial fans are equipped with controllable pitch
(blade angle) impellers for use in variable-air-volume system. After the
gas flows through the impeller, it flows past straightening vanes (also
called guide vanes). The straightening vanes are designed to remove swirl
from the gas (imparted by the impeller), to straighten the air flow, and to
act as diffusers to provide a resistance to gas flow. Resisting the gas flow
causes the gas pressure to increase while decreasing gas velocity. After
the straightening vanes, the gas exits the compressor through the
discharge nozzle.
Application:
Single stage axial compressors are used in applications in which large volumes of
compressed air or gas are required. Single stage axial compressors are
generally used for fan installations, such as integral motor cooling fans, forced
draft cooling systems and induced draft cooling system.

Propeller Fans
It has two or more blades &
Handle large volumes of air
at low pressure.
Axial Fans
Tube Axial Fan
It has wheel inside a
cylindrical housing, with close
clearance between blade and
housing to improve the airflow
efficiency. The wheel turns
faster than propeller fans,
enabling operation against
higher pressures.
Vane Axial Fan
Similar to tube axial fans with
the addition of guide vanes
that improve efficiency by
directing and straightening
the air flow. Some models
have variable pitch blades to
control the volume of flow.
Centrifugal Fans:
• Forward-Curved Fans:
1. Sometime called “Squirrel Cage” and have upto 60 impeller blades with
the leading edge curved towards the direction of rotation.
2. Relatively small and with low rotational speed for a given airflow.
3. Lighter in construction in & less expensive than others.
4. They are best suited for moving large volumes of air against relatively
low pressure.
5. Usable with clean air because blades easily accumulate dirt which can
cause unbalance and are difficult to clean.

• Radial Fans:
1. These have blades which extend straight from the shaft
2. They operate at medium speed and can move air against higher pressure
than other centrifugal fans.
3. These are specially suited for conveying materials that pass through the
fan because they are less prone to clogging.
• Backward Inclined or Backward Curved Fan:

1. In it blades are essentially flat and tilt backward from the direction of rotation.
2. These fans are faster and require heavier, well balanced construction.

• Airfoil Fans:

1. It is a variation of the backward inclined fan, have aerodynamic blades which

make them quieter and more efficient.
2. Both backward inclined and airfoil fans are generally suitable for clean air only.
3. Not used to produce higher pressures because they tend to become
unsuitable at high speeds.
Typical Customer Applications
• Tips for Efficient Operation and Maintenance
For efficient operation and longer service life, regular
maintenance should include:
• Check fan bearings for overheating and damage, lubricate as
required.
• Check belt drives for proper alignment and tension. Poorly
aligned and slipping belts are inefficient; if too tight, they can
cause early bearing failure.
• Clean impeller wheels, check for proper rotation.
Accumulations on wheels will cause vibrations and inefficient
airflow.
• Check direction of rotation, which might have been reversed
after repair or alteration of wiring or starters. This can go
unnoticed with centrifugal fans as some air is still moved by an
impeller rotating backwards.
• Clean or replace air filters.
• Adjust the operating speed of the fan or blower if air volume
requirements have decreased, instead of using damper control
or venting, which are both very inefficient.
• Check the shaft straightness and vibration.
THANK YOU