Part 1 - Fundamentals of Airflow, Fans & Duct

Fans for a Greener Future
the Obligations of Specifiers,

Manufacturers and Users
by
W. T. W. (Bill) Cory
DEng, MSc, CEng, FIMechE, MCIBSE, MIAgrE, FRSH, MIIAV
Chairman of ISO TC117, Fans, Eurovent WG1 Fans, BSI MCE17 Fans,
Past President (2003) AMCA International
Fan Manufacturers Association
Part 1
Fundamentals of Airflow, Fans and
Duct Systems
Outline
Air fundamentals, volume, pressure & power

Fan and Air Systems
Fan performance curves

Air systems & system resistance curve
Interaction of system curve and fan curve
Fan laws & density effects
Fan testing & ratings
Lead into selecting the right fan
Part 1 - Fundamentals of Airflow, Fans & Duct Systems - Slide 2
Standard Air Density

Standard air density = 1.2 kg/m3
Air temperature of
Air temperature of 16C
20C
Altitude at 0 m elevation (sea level)
Altitude at 0 m
or
Barometric pressure of 100 kPa.
elevation (sea level)
Dry air.
Barometric pressure of
Specific volume of 0.833 m3/kg
101.325 kPa
Relative humidity 50%
Specific volume of
or
3/kg
0.833
Any set
of m
conditions
that produce an air density of 1.2 kg/m3
Fan Total Pressure

Fan (Total) Pressure (FTP)
Total mechanical energy added to the air by the fan
FTP = TP at outlet TP at inlet
TP = static pressure (SP) + velocity pressure (VP)
Fan Static Pressure

Fan Static Pressure (FSP)
The fan total pressure less the fan velocity pressure
FSP = SP at outlet TP at inlet
SP = total pressure (TP) velocity pressure (VP)
Fan Velocity Pressure

Fan Velocity Pressure (VP)
The pressure corresponding the fan outlet velocity
The kinetic energy per unit volume of flowing air
VP = total pressure (TP) static pressure (SP)
VP = 0.5 v2
= Density in kg/m3
= Velocity in m/s
If standard air :
VP = 0.6 V2
Airflow = m3/s = V x Area m2
Fan Air Volume
The volume of air moved by the fan is usually expressed in
metre cubed per second

A m3/s = volume of air moved by the fan at any air density
S m3/s = volume of air moved by the fan at standard air density (1.2 kg/m3)
Measured using Pitt tube (VP), calibrated nozzle, venturi or
orifice plate
Piezometer Ring for Flow

measurement in fans
Laboratory calibrated airflow
Piezometer Ring Mounted

at Throat of Inlet Cone
Inlet Tap Mounted on

Face of Inlet Cone
data available by simply

measuring the pressure drop
across the inlet cone.
Unlike other airflow measuring
stations, there are no inlet
airflow obstructions.
Helpful in diagnosing AHU
performance deficiencies and
quantifying system
effectsgood insurance policy
Helpful in reporting fan airflow
in Building Automation Systems
Piezometer Ring for Flow Measurement does

not obstruct Fan Inlet
Airflow measuring device
Based on the principle of a flow nozzle.
Standard inlet cone is the flow nozzle .
Piezometer ring mounted in throat, static tap mounted on the face of the
inlet cone.
Flow coefficients determined in the manufacturers laboratory for different
fan types.
Am3/s
Where:
A
Constant
Am3/s
P
= Constant .A.
= Inlet tunnel throat area (square metres)

= determined in the laboratory for different fan types
= inlet volume flow
= Pressure drop across inlet cone Pa
= Density of air kg/m3
Fan Power
Air Power (P)

Assuming 100% efficiency, the power required to move a given volume of
air against given pressure.

Static AP = m3/s x ps Watt.
Total AP = m3/s x pc Watt.
Brake Power (P)

The actual power a fan requires.
BP > AP, because a fan is not 100% efficient.
In addition to fan power input, BP may include power absorbed by V-belt
drive, accessories, etc.
Fan Efficiency
Static Efficiency (SE)

Ratio of fan power output to the fan power input.
Uses SP, which does not include kinetic energy.
SE = Static Air power/brake power.
Mechanical Efficiency (ME) or Total Efficiency (TE)

Ratio of total fan power output to the fan power input.
Uses TP, which includes kinetic energy.
EE = Total Air power/brake power.
Relating Fan Power, flow, Pressure

The purpose of a fan is to add energy to the air.
To move air from one point to another
Cont:-
Fan Airflow (m3/s)

m3/s is based on continuity
m3/s = V1 A1 = V2 A2+
Fan TP
TPF = TP2 TP1
TPF = SP2 + VP2 (SP1 + VP1)
Fan SP
SPF = TPF VP2
SPF = SP2 + VP2 (SP1 + VP1) VP2
SPF = SP2 TP1
Fan Performance Curve

The test data is plotted producing a fan curve
Air Volume m3/s

System Curve
System Resistance Curve - Example
2.5
Point 1:
1 kPa
20
m3/s
1.5
Point 1:
30 m3/s
2.25 kPa
0.5
0
0
10
20
30
40
60
Airflow in m3/s
Fan Operating Point
0.75
SP kPa
0.5
0.25
0
0
2.5
7.5
10
12.5
Fan operating point will be the intersection of the fan performance
curve and the system curve the fan is operating on
Fan & System Point of Operation

A fan will operate at the point where the system resistance curve
intersects the fan curve

System Resistance Curve
Power Requirement
Power Curve
Point of Operation
Q m3/s
Cont:-
0.75
SP kPa
0.5
0.25
0
0
2.5
7.5
10
Q m3/s
Fan Stall
Aerodynamic effect.
Fan unstable operation.
Less severe than surge.
Move clip.
2.5
7.5
10
12.5
15
Q m3/s
Fan Surge
Interaction with system
Fan operation is very unstable
Pulsating flow at inlet and discharge
Movie clip
SP kPa
0.5
0.25
0
0
2.5
7.5
10
12.5
15
Not to scale
Q m3/s
Fan Useful Application Range
SP kPa
0.5
0.25
0
0
2.5
7.5
Q m3/s
10
12.5
15
2.5
7.5
10
12.5
15
Q m3/s
Not to scale
Laboratory Test Setup
Laboratory Test Setup

Notes:
No Box (housing) around fan
when plenum fans are rated

by fan manufacturers - ideal
fan performance
Box causes aerodynamic
losses called system effect

different from system
resistance
System Resistance is the
pressure drop associated with

system components like
ducts, filter, coils etc for a
given flow.
AHU manufacturers test fans
in boxes and apply system

effect derates per ARI stds
ISO 5801 Test Setup multi nozzle

chamber
Fan Curve Definitions

0.75
0.5
0.25
Flow Q m3/s
Not to scale
On the lighter side Wake Up Time!!!
Fan Laws
Dynamic Similitude
Effect of RPM Change, Law 1
Effect of Fan Diameter Change,
Law 2
Effects of fan Diameter and RPM
Change, Law 3
Density Effects, Law 4
Summary of Fan Laws
Standard Air
Fan Laws
Symbols
Q
SP
W
RPM
D
Airflow rate in metres cubed per second

Static Pressure
Brake Power
Speed in Revolutions Per Minute
Diameter in millimetres
Density in kg/m3
Dynamic Similitude
Flow systems are considered to be dynamically similar if:
they are geometrically similar.
the forces acting in one system are in the same ratio to each other as
similar forces in the second system.

Geometric similarity implies that all physical dimensions in all three
Cartesian axis must have the same linear ratio, all surface roughness
properties must scale and all angles, flow directions and orientations must
be maintained.
Flow systems are dynamically similar if the dimensionless parameters
obtained in a dimensional analysis of the systems are the same for both
(like Re number).
For two fans to be geometrically similar, the number of blades must be
equal.
Fan laws are only applicable for dynamically similar systems.
Effect of RPM Change, Law 1

Q varies directly as the RPM
Q1 RPM 1
=
Q2 RPM 2
Static pressure varies as the square of the RPM
Power varies as the cube of the RPM
WP1 RPM 1
=
WP2 RPM 3
SP1 RPM 1
=
SP2 RPM 2
Efficiency will not change
Effect of Fan Diameter Change Law 2

D1
Q1
=
Q2
D
2
D1
SP 1
=
SP 2
D
2
D1
W1
=
W2
D
2
Effects of Fan Diameter and RPM Change

Law 3
Q varies directly as the RPM
and as the cube of the fan

diameter:
Q1 RPM 1 D1
=

Q2 RPM 2 D2
SP varies as the square of
RPM and wheel diameter:
W varies as the cube of RPM
and as the fifth power of fan

diameter:
SP1 RPM 1 D1
=

SP2 RPM 2 D2
WP1 RPM 1
=
WP2 RPM 2
D1

D2
Density Effects, Law 4

Fan volume Q in m3/s will not change with density: Q1 = Q2
SP and BkW will vary in direct proportion to density:
SP1 W1 1
=
=
SP2 W2 2
Summary of Fan Laws

3
Q1 D1 RPM
=

Q 2 D 2 RPM
SP1 D1 RPM
=

SP2 D 2 RPM
5
W 1 D1 RPM
=

W 2 D 2 RPM
2
2
2
2
Fan Testing and Rating

Fans are tested in setups that simulate installations.
Four standard installation types:

Fans are tested at given speed (RPM) per ISO std 5801.
Volumetric flow rate (CFM) is measured at:
No resistance (wide open volume or free delivery)
Compete resistance (shut off) and Everything in between.

Not all fan sizes are tested for rating. ISO 5801 provides the CRP for air
performance.
By use of equations call fans laws test data is used to calculate
performance of a larger fan that is geometrically similar (not smaller).
Not practical to test a fan at every speed.
By use of fan laws it is possible to predict fan performance at various
speeds.
Fans are tested & rated at standard sir density.
Fan performance can be predicted at varying air densities by using
fans laws.
A m3/s vs. Std m3/s

m3/s = actual metres cubed per second
Represent the actual conditions of the job, not corrected to standard density
conditions.
Represents the volume of gas flowing anywhere in the system independent
of air density.
Sm3/s= standard metres cubed per second
Volume that gas would occupy if at standard density.
Selecting a fan when S m3/s is specified requires us to calculate in A m3/s is
sometimes identified by specifying kg/s (mass flow rate).
Temperature Effect
Temperatures other than 20C affect density.
At temperatures above 20C air density is less (lighter air), thus SP and
W are less.
At temperatures below 20C air density is greater (heavier air), thus SP
and W are greater.
Altitude Effect
Altitudes other than sea level affect density.
At altitudes above sea level, air density is less (lighter air), thus SP
and W are less.

At altitudes below sea level, air density is greater (heavier air), thus
SP and W are more.
Density Effects on fan Performance

The reduction in SP is proportional to the reduction in W, therefore
the overall fan efficiency will remain unchanged.

3
m
Q
Total Efficiency =
s TP kPa
1
2
3
m
Q
s TP
Fans in Parallel
SP2 = SP1
Q2 = 2Q1
w2 = 2 w1
Fans in Series
SP2 = 2 SP1
Q2 = Q1
w2 = 2 w1
All fans selected at peak SE (Static Efficiency) for

Airflows 4.72 m3/s, Static Pressure (SP) 0.5 kPa
Type
Dia
(mm)
Spd
(rpm)
Power
W
SE%
(Static)
Lwi A
(inlet)
Sound
Power A)
Forward CurvedSW (Centrifugal)
760
476
3.8
61.7
89
Backward Aerofoil
SW (Centrifugal)
930
650
2.84
80.0
77
Plenum
838
800
3.17
74.0
80
Tubular Mixed
Flow
686
1074
3.34
70.2
81
Tubular Vane Axial
710
1438
3.56
65.9
86
Propeller (Axial)
760
1998
3.59
54.4
103
Fan Selection Considerations
Fan selection is not a trivial process for a given application.

Example shown applies to one design operating point. The selections
will change for other operating points.
There is no magic fan that will result in least cost, best efficiency and low
noise for a wide range of operation points.
Compromises should be well understood upfront.
Sometimes Direct Drive (DD) is preferred due to their simplicity (no belts,
dives etc). DD selection speeds may further limits selections. Varying
width options can optimise DD selections.
Mechanical design requirements like balancing and vibration levels,
spark and high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance,
arrangements, bearings, motors and drives can further challenge the
selection process.
End of Part 1

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Part 1 - Fundamentals of Airflow, Fans & Duct

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Fans for a Greener Future

the Obligations of Specifiers,

Fan Manufacturers Association

Fan Manufacturers Association

Air fundamentals, volume, pressure & power

Fan performance curves

Lead into selecting the right fan