When choosing an industrial ventilation fan, you should consider using a deductive approach. In short, that means understanding all details concerning the core uses you have for the fan. After that, you can embark on an elimination process to narrow down your options to the ideal fan. Here are four essential factors to consider when choosing industrial ventilation fans.
Ventilation Versus Process/Ducted
Different types of ventilation fans exist, including centrifugal, axial and mixed flow, etc. However, an excellent fan selection approach is paying attention to a couple of general applications common in industrial processes.
For general ventilation, fans speed up the air, moving it from one enclosed section to the next. But with process/ducted applications, fans are mounted in ducts or contain other system features that provide pressure against the fans. These features may include sound attenuators, fume scrubbers, energy transfer devices or mist eliminators.
Such fans must overcome different pressure levels that come with accelerated system air. They operate in confined settings and create higher pressure than typical ventilation fans.
Industrial Ventilation Fan Mounting
After finding out your application's nature, determine exactly how you'll mount the fan. In a standard ventilation application, you'll find fans mounted on the roof or walls. Similarly, for process/ducted applications, fans are usually mounted on a pad or roof.
You'll typically find inlets or outlets (ducts entering or exiting from the fans). Additionally, you can mount standard or ducted/process fans in either a vertical or horizontal airflow orientation.
Ventilation Fan Performance and Accessibility Requirements
The first characteristic to find out about equipment performance is the amount of pressure and airflow the fan can generate. For the process/ducted types, there will usually be a wider range relating to pressure development requirements as per the system's nature. On the other hand, accessibility defines where you'll mount your fan and the ease of access when it comes to inspection, maintenance and replacement.
It would be best if you also found out the ideal air density and temperature required. These two, alongside performance requirements, specify the fan's construction as well as materials to be used. As such, you can quickly find out whether to choose a belt drive or a direct fan for your application.
Efficiency, Redundancy and Noise Level Requirements
The fan's efficiency and noise levels are key considerations when making your decision. For instance, high efficiency and low noise levels directly impact the type and size of the fan you choose.
Finally, determine whether your application will run on a constant-flow, constant-volume basis or variable volume. Is there any vital system where you'll need redundancy in the fan? Ensure you understand these four factors to help make an informed decision when selecting an ideal industrial ventilation fan.