Are you trying to decide between axial fans and centrifugal industrial fans for your business? It is important to understand the key differences between these types of fans before deciding. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of each and help you make an informed choice that maximizes efficiency and productivity.
By the end of this post, you will be able to confidently choose the right fan for your industrial needs.
In commercial and industrial applications, fans are widely used. Among the most popular uses for industrial fans are air duct exhaust, ventilation, heat exhaust, and cooling. There are many different types of industrial fans, depending on the uses and business needs. The two most prominent types of these are centrifugal and industrial axial fans. These have comparable functions, yet they are built and performed in various ways that are different.
What are Axial Fans?
Industrial fans with airflow in the direction of the axis are known as axial fans or axial flow fans. As a result, they are known as axial fans.
To cool items or ventilate rooms, axial fans circulate large volumes of air effectively and efficiently. Depending on size, they are available in practically any size, from board level to room size, and they don’t use a lot of electricity to run. They also come in models that are both ac and dc. Line current is used by ac powered fans, which are typically rated above 100 volts.
What are Centrifugal Fans?
These fans, as their name suggests, produce airflow through the centrifugal force of their blades.
Radial fans and centrifugal blowers are other names for centrifugal fans. They have a motorized hub with impellers that discharge air into a fan housing, where the air is then directed to an output.
Compared to axial fans, they move less air yet provide a constant, high-pressure stream of air. They come with either forward- or backward-curved impellers that can be used for suction or blowing.
Usually, this kind of fan is connected to a network of tubes or ducts. As a result, pressure rises and high-pressure airflow is produced.
In comparison to axial fans, centrifugal fans typically have lower flow rates, move less air, and have a more stable flow.
The key reason to know why are they different.
1. Air-Delivering capacity
Axial fans have air delivery capacities ranging from 100 to 500000 ft3/min while centrifugal fans may deliver air at a rate of 500 to 125000 ft3/min.
2. Volume and Pressure of Fans
This is the best option for low pressures, relatively high flow rates, and flow that is parallel to the axis of the fan.
The tremendous pressure that centrifugal fans produce makes them perfect for use in high-pressure systems, such as air conditioning and drying systems.
3. Noise
Application, component density, system positioning, fan size, airflow, employed bearing types, etc. all affect noise differently.
A fan’s bearings can affect the lifespan and possible uses in addition to the fan’s acoustics. Improvements in fan positioning, mechanical isolation, or the use of air inlet grills or output diffusers can frequently reduce audible noise.
A solid generalization is that the higher the CFM or airflow, the louder the sound will be.
Having said that, the larger fan will often produce a quieter overall solution if a smaller fan and a larger fan have similar CFM ratings. As was already established, axial fan designs often produce less noise than centrifugal ones.
4. Working
Axial fans use blades that are positioned around the rotor’s edge and are rotated by electric motors. As the blades rotate, air is taken in from one end and pressurized air is spat out of the other. However, the air inflow and outflow still follow the center axis of the rotor.
Air is pulled into the rotary hub of these fans as the blades rotate. The eccentric rotor’s centrifugal force compresses the air and propels it in all directions. The air outlet is angled such that it faces away from the rotor’s main axis.
5. Power Consumption
DC motors with 40–100 watts can power axial fans. At constant operating speed, the midpoint power usage stays at 70 watts.
Using a 50-volt brushless DC motor, these fans run. Lower power consumption is a well-known benefit of DC centrifugal fans.
Conclusion
Making informed decisions about industrial ventilation and cooling systems requires an understanding of the distinctions between axial and centrifugal industrial fans. Both types of fans have benefits and drawbacks, but they are made for distinct uses and have different advantages.
You can assure the best performance and energy efficiency of your industrial ventilation system by being aware of the variations and selecting the right fan type for your unique requirements.
Swifter Fans is an industrial fan manufacturer that designs and develops a range of high-quality axial and centrifugal fans for various industrial applications.
Book a consultation call and we would love to assist you in deciding which industrial fan is perfect for your industrial requirements.