Centrifugal Fans In Industry

By Author: Neel Rao
Total Articles: 113
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Initially, after electricity was invented, one of the earliest electric devices other than the light bulb was the electric fan. In the early stages, the primary function of electric fans was to cool the surroundings by circulating air. As electrical engineering and engineering technology advanced, fans started being used in wider applications. Presently, centrifugal fans perform critical functions in various industries including automotive, manufacturing, aviation, and energy production.

Applications of centrifugal fans are on extensive range. These fans are cost-effective and come with a simple construction. A common man looks at centrifugal fans, applicable only for HVAC industry (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). This is where these fans are visible to a common man. However, in reality centrifugal fans are extensively used for various functions.

An Overview Of Centrifugal Fans
The nomenclature of centrifugal fans has been made from the energy it imparts to gas particles while in circular or centrifugal motion. These fans have rotating blades attached to the disks at right angles, that develop ...
... energy transmission. The geometry of vanes changes direction of gas flow and builds pressure. Inlet and outlet ducting carry the gas or air. Centrifugal fans can develop much higher pressure compared to axial fans. These fans are capable of handle large gas flow, as well.

Functioning Of Centrifugal Fans
The basic role of centrifugal fans is to escalate the movement of gas or air rapidly, that passes through the blades. These fans consist of impellers, fan housing, outlet and inlet ducts, a driving mechanism, and a drive shaft. As the air gets into the fan housing via the inlet duct, it moves towards the central area of the impeller.

The driving mechanism can be of two types. These are belt drive and direct drive mechanisms. An electric motor is connected to the drive shaft in the direct drive mechanism. As a result, controlling the motor speed directly alters the speed of the fan and blower.

In belt driven fans, the motor shaft is mounted with a set of pulleys in the belt drive mechanism. Here, the mechanical energy is transferred to the drive shaft from the motor using a belt. In the belt drive mechanism, the speed of the fan depends on the ratio of the motor pulley diameter to that of the fan pulley. There are gear box and clutch mechanism also as drive arrangement.

Purpose And Usage Of Centrifugal Fans
Centrifugal fans have a wide range of functionalities, that may be used for aeration, combustion, particle transport, exhaust, air-purification, drying, and cooling purposes. In heavy-duty industries like metal manufacturing, pollution control, electrical power production, petrochemical, and cement production, these fans are extensively used.

In Chemical Process Industries, centrifugal blowers are used to channel out hazardous and corrosive gases. Centrifugal fans are also used in handling materials like sawdust, plastic pellets, sand, grain, wood chips, and paper trims.

Reitz India's ID Fans and FD Fans are custom designed to serve the needs of various processes in industries like cement, iron & steel, power plants, fertilizers/ chemicals and more. As a top quality industrial fan manufacturers, Reitz India has set a benchmark in delivering superior fans with high quality features and better industrial standards.