Aerotech Fans
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Aerotech Fans
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Technical answers to common questions about industrial blowers.
At high altitudes, air density decreases significantly. A blower operating at 5,000 feet will move the same actual volumetric flow (ACFM) as at sea level, but it will generate far less static pressure and require less brake horsepower. The fan must be specifically derated and upsized to achieve the required standard mass flow (SCFM).
Forward-curved centrifugal impellers are acoustically the quietest because they generate high volumetric airflow at very low RPMs. However, they are strictly limited to clean-air applications like HVAC, as any particulate will instantly foul the tight blade spacing.
Rubber (neoprene) isolation pads are sufficient for high-RPM, low-mass fans. However, heavy-duty low-RPM blowers (like Induced Draft fans) require restrained spring isolators. Springs provide the high static deflection required to absorb low-frequency harmonic vibrations that rubber pads cannot dampen.
Biomass boilers generate exhaust laden with sticky tar and creosote. If this accumulates asymmetrically on the Induced Draft (ID) fan impeller, it causes violent mechanical imbalance. These fans require radial-blade impellers to resist buildup, and often feature automated casing wash-nozzles to continuously strip the tar.
For dense phase pneumatic conveying of heavy materials like cement or fly ash, the duct velocity must be maintained between 3,500 and 4,500 Feet Per Minute (FPM). If velocity drops below this threshold, the particulate will fall out of suspension and instantly block the pipeline.
To fluidize a cement silo and prevent rat-holing or bridging, low-volume but extremely high-pressure air is injected through aeration pads at the bottom cone. This requires a Single-Stage High-Pressure centrifugal blower or a positive displacement Roots blower capable of overcoming the heavy static weight of the cement column.
A heavy-duty centrifugal blower must be mechanically decoupled from the rigid ductwork using flexible fire-rated canvas or neoprene connections. Without this isolation, the inherent harmonic vibration of the blower will transmit directly into the sheet metal, turning the entire duct network into a massive acoustic amplifier.
Yes, transporting plastic pellets requires dilute phase pneumatic conveying. A heavy-duty centrifugal blower (often SISW with radial blades) can easily generate the required 4,000 to 5,000 FPM duct velocity to keep the lightweight pellets suspended in the airstream without degrading the material.
Pneumatically conveying paper trim or corrugated cardboard requires a specialized material handling centrifugal blower with an open radial-blade or 'chopper' impeller. Standard backward-inclined impellers will instantly clog and stall when exposed to long, stringy, or sticky trim waste.
Converting a V-Belt centrifugal blower to a Direct Drive arrangement paired with a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a highly recommended upgrade. It eliminates transmission efficiency losses, removes belt maintenance downtime, and allows for precise infinite tuning of the aerodynamic performance curve.
To prevent severe system effect (aerodynamic turbulence that destroys fan efficiency), there must be a minimum of 2.5 to 3 duct diameters of straight, un-obstructed ductwork immediately following the discharge of a centrifugal blower before the first elbow or transition.
An ATEX certified centrifugal blower requires an explosion-proof motor, anti-sparking brass or aluminum rub-rings around the impeller inlet, and a fully grounded carbon steel or stainless housing to prevent static discharge in explosive gas or dust environments.
