Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_collector# Types_of_Fans
Dust collector
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Types of Fans
There are two main kinds of industrial fans:
Centrifugal fans
Axial-flow fans
Centrifugal Fans
Centrifugal fans consist of a wheel or a rotor mounted on shaft that rotates in a scroll-shaped housing. Air enters at the eye of the rotor, makes a right-angle turn, and is forced through the blades of the rotor by centrifugal force into the scroll-shaped housing. The centrifugal force imparts static pressure to the air. The diverging shape of the scroll also converts a portion of the velocity pressure into static pressure.
There are three main types of centrifugal fans:
Radial-Blade Fans - Radial-blade fans are used for heavy dust loads. Their straight, radial blades do not get clogged with material, and they withstand considerable abrasion. These fans have medium tip speeds and medium noise factors;
Backward-Blade Fans - Backward-blade fans operate at higher tip speeds and thus are more efficient. Since material may build up on the blades, these fans should be used after a dust collector. Although they are noisier than radial-blade fans, backward-blade fans are commonly used for large-volume dust collection systems because of their higher efficiency;
Forward-Curved-Blade Fans - These fans have curved blades that are tipped in the direction of rotation. They have low space requirements, low tip speeds, and a low noise factor. They are usually used against low to moderate static pressures.
Axial-Flow Fans
Axial-flow fans are used in systems that have low resistance levels. These fans move the air parallel to the fan's axis of rotation. The screw-like action of the propellers moves the air in a straight-through parallel path, causing a helical flow pattern.
The three main kinds of axial fans are:
Propeller Fans - These fans are used to move large quantities of air against very low static pressures. They are usually used for general ventilation or dilution ventilation and are good in developing up to 0.5 in. wg;
Tube-Axial Fans - Tube-axial fans are similar to propeller fans except they are mounted in a tube or cylinder. Therefore, they are more efficient than propeller fans and can develop up to 3 to 4 in. wg. They are best suited for moving air containing substances such as condensable fumes or pigments;
Vane-Axial Fans - Vane-axial fans are similar to tube-axial fans except air-straightening vanes are installed on the suction or discharge side of the rotor. They are easily adapted to multistaging and can develop static pressures as high as 14 to 16 in. wg. They are normally used for clean air only.
Fan Selection
When selecting a fan, the following points should be considered:
Volume required;
Fan static pressure;
Type of material to be handled through the fan (For example, a radial-blade fan should be used with fibrous material or heavy dust loads, and nonsparking construction must be used with explosive or inflammable materials);
Type of drive arrangement, such as direct drive or belt drive;
Space requirements;
Noise levels;
Operating temperature (For example, sleeve bearings are suitable to 2500 F; ball bearings to 5500 F);
Sufficient size to handle the required volume and pressure with minimum horsepower;
Need for special coatings or construction when operating in corrosive atmospheres;
Ability of fan to accommodate small changes in total pressure while maintaining the necessary air volume;
Need for an outlet damper to control airflow during cold starts (If necessary, the damper may be interlocked with the fan for a gradual start until steady-state conditions are reached).
Fan Rating Tables
After the above information is collected, the actual selection of fan size and speed is usually made from a rating table published by the fan manufacturer. This table is known as a multirating table, and it shows the complete range of capacities for a particular size of fan.
Points to Note:
The multirating table shows the range of pressures and speeds possible within the limits of the fan's construction;
A particular fan may be available in different construction classes (identified as class I through IV) relating to its capabilities and limits;
For a given pressure, the highest mechanical efficiency is usually found in the middle third of the volume column;
A fan operating at a given speed can have an infinite number of ratings (pressure and volume) along the length of its characteristic curve. However, when the fan is installed in a dust collection system, the point of rating can only be at the point at which the system resistance curve intersects the fan characteristic curve;
In a given system, a fan at a fixed speed or at a fixed blade setting can have a single rating only. This rating can be changed only be changing the fan speed, blade setting, or the system resistance;
For a given system, an increase in exhaust volume will result in increases in static and total pressures. For example, for a 20% increase in exhaust volume in a system with 5 in. pressure loss, the new pressure loss will be 5·(1.20)2 = 7.2 in;
For rapid estimates of probable exhaust volumes available for a given motor size, the equation for brake horsepower, as illustrated, can be useful.
Fan Installation Typical Fan Discharge Conditions Fan ratings for volume and static pressure, as described in the multirating tables, are based on the tests conducted under ideal conditions. Often, field installation creates airflow problems that reduce the fan's air delivery. The following points should be considered when installing the fan:
Avoid installation of elbows or bends at the fan discharge, which will lower fan performance by increasing the system's resistance;
Avoid installing fittings that may cause non-uniform flow, such as an elbow, mitred elbow, or square duct;
Check that the fan impeller is rotating in the proper direction-clockwise or counterclockwise;
For belt-driven fans:
• Check that the motor sheave and fan sheave are aligned properly;
• Check for proper belt tension;
Check the passages between inlets, impeller blades, and inside of housing for buildup of dirt, obstructions, or trapped foreign matter.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_collector#Types_of_Fans