FANS AND BLOWERS

A fan is a machine for applying power to a gaseous fluid, to increase its energy
content. This energy enables movement or flow of the gas against various degree of
resistance.1
Functions of Fan1
The functions of the fan is to move air or gases through distribution systems and
apparatus required for conditioning of the gas medium, such systems for:
a. heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning of buildings
b. drying and cooling of materials and products
c. pneumatic conveying of materials
d. dust collection, separation and exhaust
e. industrial process work
f. mine and tunnel ventilation
g. forced and induced draft of steam generation plants.
Two Major Parts1
1. Wheel or impeller – the rotating member of the fan.
2. Housing – the stationary member of the fan. The housing is provided with an
intake opening (inlet) and with the discharge opening (outlet)
● The flow of air or gas is carried by the pressure differential created by the energy
transmitted to the gas by the rotating wheel.
● If no resistance to flow exists, no inlet and outlet duct, the fan provides the gas with
velocity energy only, and no compression or rarefaction occurs.
● When inlet and outlet duct is added, resistance is imposed and partial compression
occurs on the outlet side, whereas partial rarefaction occurs on the inlet side.
● The extent of the resistance imposed at the discharge governs the quantity of the
gas delivered by the fan.
● The greatest volume is delivered under zero resistance or “free delivery” conditions.
● At infinite resistance, volumetric delivery is zero, corresponding to “blocked tight” or
“static no delivery” condition.
Fan Classes1
Centrifugal Fan
It consists of an impeller of the squirrel-cage type, operating within a scroll-type
housing and including driving mechanism supports either for belt drive or direct
connections. Gas enters the inlet in a direction substantially parallel with the impeller
axis and turns through an angle of approximately 90°, flowing radially through the
wheel and issuing from the wheel periphery.
Fans and Blowers
28
 The scroll-type housing serves to convert part of the kinetic energy imparted to the
gas into potential or static pressure energy.
Designed for moving large volumes of air against a small plenum. Usual pressure up
to 25 in. WG. Special fans up to 90 in. WG.
General Wheel Types
Straight-blade fan – have rotors of comparatively large
diameter with a few (5 to 12) radial blades resembling paddle
wheels. These fans operate comparatively at low speed.
They are often used in exhaust work particularly where
wastes are carried into the air stream.
Forward-curved blade fan – usually of multi- blade
(20-64) “siruco type”. The rotors are of smaller diameter and
they operate at higher speed than straight blade units.
Backward curved blade fan – are of the multi-blade
(10-50) type. Such fans have wide range of usefulness.
Axial- Flow Fan
It has a wheel of the propeller or disk type, operating within a mounting ring or
cylindrical housing. Gas flow is essentially parallel to the wheel axis at both inlet
and outlet.
General Wheel Types
Propeller fan– it consists of a propeller or disk type wheel
within a mounting ring or plate and including driving
mechanism supports either for belt drive or direct
connection.
Designed to move air from one enclosed space to another
from outdoor to indoor, or vice versa in a wide range of
volume at low pressure (0 to 1 in. WG)
Tube-Axial fan – It consists of a propeller or disk-type wheel
within a cylinder and including driving mechanism supports for
either for belt or direct connection
Designed to move wide range of air and gas volume at
medium pressure (1/4 to 2½ in. WG)
Vane-axial fan – it consists of disk-type wheel with a
cylinder, a set of air guide vanes located either before r after
the wheel including driving mechanism supports either for
belt drive or direct.
Designed to move air volume of a wide range and usual
pressure is ½ to 6. in WG. Special design up to 60 in. WG or higher.

Fans and Blowers

28
Factors for Fan Selection
1. Volume flow rate
2. Static pressure required to maintain the flow
3. Density of the gas
4. Type and speed of motive power available
5. Character of system, constant or variable flow or pressure
6. Degree of permissible sound emission
Standard Air, Water and Flue Gas Densities1
For air : 0.75 lb/ft3 at 29.92 in. Hg absolute and 70°F
: 1.2 kg/m3 at 101.325 kPa absolute and 21.11°C
For flue gas : 0.78 lb/ft3 at 29.92 in. Hg absolute and 70°F
: 1.248 kg/m3 at 101.325 kPa absolute and 21.11°C
For water : 62.4 lb/ft3 or 1000 kg/m3
Definitions
Air horsepower. The work done in moving a given volume (or weight) of air at a given
speed.2
Blower. A fan used to force air under pressure, that is, the resistance to gas flow is
imposed primarily upon the discharge.1
Brake horsepower. The work done by an electric motor in driving the fan, measured as
horsepower delivered to the fan shaft.2
Cubic feet per minute (cfm). The physical volume of air moved by a fan per minute
expressed as fan outlet conditions.2
Density. The actual weight of air in pounds per cubic foot (0.075 at 70°F and 29.92
inches mercury barometric pressure).2
Exhauster. A fan used to withdraw air under suction, that is, the resistance to gas flow
is imposed primarily upon the inlet.1
Fan. A machine used to apply power to a gas in order to cause movement of a gas.1
Mechanical efficiency. The ratio of air horsepower to brake horsepower of a fan.2
Revolutions per minute (RPM). The speed at which a fan or motor turns.2
Standard air. Air at 70°F and 29.92 inches mercury barometric pressure weighing 0.075
lbs per cubic foot.2
Static efficiency. The static efficiency of a fan is the mechanical efficiency multiplied by
the ratio of static pressure to the total pressure.2
Static pressure. The static pressure of a fan is the total pressure diminished by the fan
velocity pressure. It is usually measured in inches (millimeters) of water.2

Fans and Blowers

28
Total pressure. The sum of the static pressure and the velocity pressure. Total pressure
represents the rise of pressure from fan inlet to fan outlet.2
Velocity pressure. Velocity pressure results only when air is in motion, and it is
measured in inches (millimeters) of water.2
Notations
A = area, ft2 (m2)
BHP = brake horsepower
D = diameter, ft (m)
AHP = air horsepower
N = speed of rotation, r/min
Ns = specific speed, r/min
Ps = fan static pressure, in. wg (Pa)
Pt = fan total pressure, in. wg (Pa)
Pv = fan velocity pressure, in. wg (Pa)
Q = fan capacity, ft3/min (m3/s)
T = absolute temperature, °R (K)
ηs = fan static efficiency, per unit
ηt = fan total efficiency, per unit
ρ = fan air density, lbm/ft3 (kg/m3)
Fan Characteristics and Laws1
1. Fan Speed Variations (Constant fan size, constant system and constant
density)
(a) Capacity or CF varied as fan speed 𝑄∝𝑁
2
(b) Pressure varies as square of fan speed 𝑃𝑠 ∝ 𝑁
3
(c) Power varies as cube of fan speed 𝑃𝑜 ∝ 𝑁

2. Fan Size Variations (Geometrically similar fans, fixed point of rating, constant
density)
2
(a) Capacity varies as square of wheel diameter 𝑄∝𝑑
(b) Pressure remains constant 𝑃𝑠 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2
(c) Power varies as square of wheel diameter 𝑃𝑜 ∝ 𝑑
(d) RPM or speed varies inversely as wheel diameter 𝑁∝1/𝑑
(e) Tip speed remains constant 𝑉𝑒𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

3. Gas Density Variation (Constant fan size and speed, constant system or point
of rating)
(a) Capacity remains constant 𝑄 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
(b) Pressure varies directly as gas density 𝑃𝑠 ∝ ρ

Fans and Blowers

28
 (c) Power varies directly as gas density 𝑃𝑠 ∝ ρ

Density varies directly as the pressure but inversely to the temperature.

Corollary laws:
1. Gas density variation (to maintain constant volume) (Fixed point of rating
and fan size)
a. Capacity remains constant 𝑄 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
b. Pressure varies directly as gas density 𝑃𝑠 ∝ ρ
c. Power varies directly as gas density 𝑃𝑜 ∝ ρ
d. RPM or speed remains constant 𝑁 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

2. Gas density variation (to maintain constant pressure) (Fixed point of

rating and fan size)
a. Capacity varies inversely as the square of density
b. Power varies inversely as square of density
c. RPM or speed varies inversely as the square of density

3. Gas density variation (to maintain constant gas weight) (Fixed point of
rating and fan size)
a. Capacity varies inversely as density
b. Pressure varies inversely as density
c. Power varies inversely as density
d. RPM varies inversely as square of density

Fan Head and Power Calculations

Air/ Water power = (Weight of fluid) (head of fluid) (normally used for water)
= (Volume) (Specific Weight) (Head)
= (Volume) (Pressure) (normally used for gases)

Static Air Power = (Volume) (Ps)

Air Power Output or Total Air Power = (Volume) (Pt)

If there is an inlet duct, the before and after pressure must be read and subtracted.
The difference is the working pressure of the fan and to be used in calculating the
power required.

Static Efficiency (es) = Static Air Power / Shaft Power or Brake Power

Mechanical Efficiency (em) = Air Power Output / Shaft Power or Brake Power

Fans and Blowers

28
 Manometric Efficiency = Draft Actually Produced by the Fan / Theoretical Draft

Conversion of Head from Water Gage to Air Gage and Vice Versa
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = (𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡) (𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑) = δ𝑎𝑖𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟 = δ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

where: δ = 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑑

Ideal Gas Equation

PV = mRT or PV = RT and ρ = 1 / v = P / RT

Rair = 0.28708 kJ/kg-K or 53.342 ft-lb/lb-R

EXAMPLES:
1. A delivery of 9.5 m3/s of air at 6.35 cm of WG static pressure is required of a fan
having a mechanical efficiency of 65 %. The duct through which the air is 1.5 m2
and the density of air 1.09 kg/m3. Determine the air power needed to drive the fan
and the static efficiency of the fan.

SOLUTION:

(a) Air Power = Volume * Pressure = Volume*(density* gravitational acceleration*head)

𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃𝑠 + 𝑃𝑣 (because of mechanical efficiency)

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 9.5 𝑚
but: 𝑣 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
= 1.5
= 6. 333 𝑠
2 2
𝑣 6.333
𝑃𝑣 = 2𝑔
= 2*9.81
= 2. 044 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟

Convert the static head into m of air: (density of air = 1000 kg/m3)
𝑃𝑠 =
6.35
100𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ( 1000
1.09 ) = 58. 26 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃𝑠 + 𝑃𝑣 = 58. 26𝑚 + 2. 044𝑚 = 60. 304 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛

( ) * 9. 81
3
𝑚 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐽
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 9. 5 𝑠
* 1. 09 3 2 * 60. 304𝑚 = 6, 125 𝑠
𝑜𝑟 6. 125 𝑘𝑤
𝑚 𝑠

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 6.125

(b) 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
= 0.65
= 9. 424 𝑘𝑊
Fans and Blowers
28
(c) 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 * 𝑃𝑠 = 9. 5 * 9. 81 ( 𝑘𝑁
𝑚
3 ) * 0. 0635 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 5. 915 𝑘𝑊
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑒𝑠 = ( ) 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
=
5.915
9.424
= 62. 8%
2. A fan developed 5 in of WG static pressure and 0.7 in WG velocity pressure when
the flow is 8000 CFM of air at 100 F. The shaft is 7.6 hp and the speed is 1800 RPM.
Calculate the static and mechanical efficiency of the fan.

SOLUTION:

( )(62. 4 )( )𝑓𝑡( )
3
8000𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑏 5 1ℎ𝑝
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 * 𝑃𝑠 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 3 12 𝑓𝑡−𝑙𝑏 = 6. 303 ℎ𝑝
𝑓𝑡 33,000 𝑚𝑖𝑛

5.7
62.4* 12
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 * 𝑃𝑡 = 8000 * 33,000
= 7. 185 ℎ𝑝

Then; 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑒𝑠 = ( ) 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
=
6.303
7.6
= 82. 93%

𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑒𝑚 = ( ) 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
=
7.185
7.6
= 94. 54%

3. A certain fan delivers 680 m3/min at a static pressure of 2.54 cm WG when

operating at a speed of 800 RPM and requires an input power of 6 kW. If in the
same installation 850 m3/min are desired, what will be the required speed, new
static pressure and power input needed?

SOLUTION:

𝑄2 𝑁2 850 𝑁2
(a) 𝑄1
= 𝑁1
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛: 680
= 800
; 𝑁2 = 1000 𝑅𝑃𝑀

(b) ; 𝐻2 = 3. 968 𝑐𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑊

1 1
𝑁2
( )
𝑃𝑜2
( ) ; 𝑃𝑜 = 11. 72 𝑘𝑊
𝑃𝑜2
3 3
1000
(c) 𝑁1
= 𝑃𝑜1
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛; 800
= 6 2

4. A manufacturer rated his fan t 11.25 cm WG static pressure for 170 m3/min at 21 C
air at 1500 RPM, 760 mm HG barometric pressure, 70% static pressure. What will
be the new flow, static pressure, shaft power at 1800 RPM, 95 C and 660 mm HG
barometric pressure?

Fans and Blowers

28
 SOLUTION:
(a) Correcting first with variable speed
𝑄2 𝑁2 𝑄2 1800 3
𝑄1
= 𝑁1
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛: 170
= 1500
; 𝑄2 = 204𝑚 /𝑚𝑖𝑛

2
𝑃𝑠2
𝑃𝑠1
= ( )
𝑁2
𝑁1
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛:
𝑃𝑠2
11.25
= ( 1800 2
1500 )
; 𝑃𝑠2 = 16. 2 𝑐𝑚 𝑊𝐺

Correcting for density variation but density varies as pressure but inversely with
temperature:
𝑃𝑠𝑓
𝑃𝑠𝑖
=
𝑃𝑓
𝑃𝑖 ( )
𝑇𝑖
𝑇𝑓
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛:
𝑃𝑠𝑓
16.2
=
660
760 ( 21+273
95+273 ); 𝑃𝑠 𝑓
= 11. 239 𝑐𝑚 𝑊𝐺

(b) With 70% fan efficiency

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒*𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 ( 204
60
3
)(
𝑚 /𝑠 * 0.1139 𝑚*9.81
𝑘𝑁
𝑚
3 )
𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
= 0.70
= 5. 427 𝑘𝑊

5. A steam generator is to be equipped with an induced draft fan to handle flue gases
at 550 F. Coal with an ash content of 8.5 % is fed to the steam generator at a rate
of 9tons/hr. Dry refuse at ash pit is found to contain 16% unburned coal. The ratio
of air used to coal actually burned is 20:1 by weight; the fan is to develop a total
pressure of 4.5 in WG and a fan efficiency of 72%. Consider density of flue gases at
550 F to be 0.041 lb/ft3, calculate (a) fan capacity in CFM (b) BHP of fan needed.

SOLUTION:

𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑙𝑏 1 ℎ𝑟 𝑙𝑏
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑒𝑑 = 9 ℎ𝑟
* 2000 𝑡𝑜𝑛
* 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛
= 300 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑒𝑑 = 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑖𝑡

0. 085 300 ( 𝑙𝑏
𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) = (1. 0 − 0. 16) * 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛: 𝑊 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑒
= 30. 357 𝑙𝑏/𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑙𝑏 4.857 𝑙𝑏
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 = 0. 16 * 30. 357 = 4. 857 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑜𝑟 300
= 0. 0162 𝑙𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙

𝑙𝑏 295.142 𝑙𝑏
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 = 300 – 4. 857 = 295. 142 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑜𝑟 300
= 0. 9838 𝑙𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙

Then:
𝐴 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑟 19.676 𝑙𝑏 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑏
𝐹
= 0.9838
= 20 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 𝑙𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 19. 676 * 300 = 5903 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟

Fans and Blowers

28
 𝑊𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑟 + 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 = 5903 + 295. 143 = 6198 𝑙𝑏/𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 6198
(a) 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
= 𝑙𝑏 = 151, 170 𝐶𝐹𝑀
0.041 3
𝑓𝑡

(b) 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 =

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒*𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
=
151,170*62.4*
4.5
12 (
*
1ℎ𝑝
33,000
𝑓𝑡−𝑙𝑏
𝑚𝑖𝑛
) = 148. 9 ℎ𝑝 𝑜𝑟 150 ℎ𝑝
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 0.72

6. A fan draws air at 21 C from a long duct (0.37m2) and discharges it into a duct
slightly larger. The maximum average velocity head is 0.508 cm WG, inlet static
pressure is 4.826 mm WG vacuum, discharge static pressure is 12.7 cm WG.
Barometric reads 686 mm HG. Determine (a) quantity of air flowing, m3/s (b) air
power, kW (c) brake power to drive the fan for mechanical efficiency of 55%.

SOLUTION:
100.325 𝑘𝑃𝑎
(a) 𝑃 = 686 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 * 760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔
= 91. 46 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑃 91.46 𝑘𝑃𝑎 3
ρ𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 𝑅𝑇
= 𝑘𝐽 = 1. 084 𝑘𝑔/𝑚
0.28708 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 *294

𝑃𝑣 = 0. 00508 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 * ( 1000

1.084 ) = 4. 686 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑣 = 2𝑔ℎ = 2 * 9. 81 * 4. 686 = 9. 59 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟

3
THEN: 𝑉 = 𝑣𝑒𝑙 * 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 9. 59 * 0. 37 = 3. 548 𝑚 /𝑠

( ) ( )
(b) 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃𝑠2 − 𝑃𝑠1 + 𝑃𝑣2 − 𝑃𝑣1 = (12. 7 + 0. 4826) + 0. 508 = 13. 6906 𝑐𝑚 𝑊𝐺

( )
3
𝑚 𝑘𝑁
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 3. 548 𝑠
* 9. 81 3 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 * 0. 136906 𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 4. 765 𝑘𝑊
𝑚
4.765
𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 0.55
= 8. 66 𝑘𝑊

Review Problems:
1. A fan developed 4.6 in WG pressure and 0.85 in WG velocity head when delivering
1200 CFM of air at 70% static efficiency find (a) static air (b) total air (c) shaft or
brake power to drive the fan (d) efficiency of the fan based on total dynamic head.
2. A coal with HHV of 6000 kcal/kg is burned in a pulverized coal fired boiler with 25%
excess air at the rate of 25 metric tons/hr. Ambient conditions are 101.325 kPa, 27
C. The boiler is served by two equal capacity forced draft fan delivering at 300 mm
WG static pressure and fan efficiency of 65 %. Calculate the capacity of each fan if

Fans and Blowers

28
 the capacity is 20% in excess of the maximum requirement and the kW rating of the
driving motor
3. A fan listed as having the following performances with standard air; volumetric
discharged: 120 m3/s speed: 7 rps, static pressure: 310 mm WG gage brake power
required: 620 kW. The system duct will remain the same and the fan will discharge
the same volume of 120 m3/s of air at 93 C and barometric pressure of 735 mm Hg
when its speed is 7 rps. Find (a) static pressure required (b) brake power input (ME
Board: April 1984)
4. Air at 24 C, 55% RH is flowing through a 1.2 m diameter duct. The barometric
pressure is 101 kPa. A pitot tube inserted in the duct system indicates a barometric
velocity pressure or 0.50 cm WG. Compute (a) air velocity, m/s and (b) flow rate,
m3/s (c) if Ps = 2 cm WG, what is the air power in kW?
5. A fan manufacturer rates his fan a 4.43 in WG static pressure for 6000 ft3/min of air
a 70 F static efficiency. What will be the flow, static pressure and shaft hP at 1800
rpm, 200 F and 26 in Hg barometric pressure
6. A delivery of 570 m3/s of air at 63.5 mm WG static pressure is required of a fan
having a mechanical efficiency of 65%. The duct through which the air flows is 1.5
m2 and atmospheric air at 101.3 kPa, 24 C. Find (a) the air power (b) brake power
to drive it, kW (c) the static efficiency
7. A fan having an outlet area of 0.84 m2 discharges 1030 m3/min of standard air
against a static pressure of 30.5 cm WG. The gage fluid (water) temperature is 38 C
(density of 993 kg/cu.m.). The fan speed is 1500 RPM and the brake power is 92
kW. Find the fan mechanical efficiency and the static efficiency
8. A fan delivers 4.7 m3/s at a static pressure of 5.08 cm WG when operating at a
speed of 400 Rpm and requires an input power of 2.936 kW. If in the same
installation 7.05 m3/s are desired, what will be the new speed, new static pressure
and new power needed (ME Board: April 1995)
9. A fan whose efficiency is 40% has a capacity of 60,000 ft3/hr and barometric of 30
in Hg and gives a static pressure of 2 in of water on full delivery. What size of
electric factor should be used to drive the fan? (ME Board: April 1997)
10. A fan draws 1.42 m3/s of air at a static pressure of 2.54 cm WG through a duct 300
mm diameter and discharges it through a 275 mm diameter. Determine the static
fan efficiency if total fan mechanical is 70% and air is measured at 25 C and 760
mm Hg (ME Board: October 1997)
11. A fan described in a manufacturer’s table is rated to deliver m3/min at a static
pressure gage of 254 cm of water when running a 250 RPM and requiring 3.6 kW. If
the fan speed is changed to 305 RPM and the air handled were at 65 C instead of
standard 21 C, find the power in kW. (ME Board: October 1996)
12. Air is flowing in a duct with a velocity of 7.62 m/s and static pressure of 2.16 cm of
water gage. The duct diameter is 1.22 m, barometric pressure is 99.4 kPa and the
Fans and Blowers
28
 gage fluid temperature and air temperature are 30 C. What is the total pressure
against which the fan will operate in cm of water (ME Board: October 1996)
References:
1. Walters, T.A. (1950). Fans and blowers. In J. Kenneth Salisbury (ed.). Kent’s
mechanical engineers’ handbook. New York: Wiley-Toppan.
2. Brumbaugh, J.E. (2004). AudelTM HVAC fundamentals volume 3: air-conditioning,
heat pumps, and distribution system.

Fans and Blowers

28