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Fan Selection Guide: Performance Factors

This document discusses factors to consider when selecting a fan, including fan performance characteristics and variable airflow/pressure. Fan performance is described by its fan curve, which shows the relationship between airflow and resistance. The required airflow and duct pressure losses determine the system duty point. The fan operating point is where the fan curve intersects with the system curve. It is important to select a fan that can operate at the duty point without being at the extremes of its curve, to avoid inefficiency or increased noise. Variable speed fans have changing fan curves at different speeds.

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Phanhai Kaka
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320 views16 pages

Fan Selection Guide: Performance Factors

This document discusses factors to consider when selecting a fan, including fan performance characteristics and variable airflow/pressure. Fan performance is described by its fan curve, which shows the relationship between airflow and resistance. The required airflow and duct pressure losses determine the system duty point. The fan operating point is where the fan curve intersects with the system curve. It is important to select a fan that can operate at the duty point without being at the extremes of its curve, to avoid inefficiency or increased noise. Variable speed fans have changing fan curves at different speeds.

Uploaded by

Phanhai Kaka
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Fan Selection
  • Factors in Fan Selection
  • Fan Performance Curves
  • Resistance and Pressure in Fans
  • Understanding System Curves
  • Operating Points
  • Evaluating Fan Suitability
  • Fan Curves and Power Consumption
  • Variable Duty and Speed Changes

Fan Selection

Selection by Performance Requirements

Fan Selection Factors


Factors to be considered in selecting a fan include:

Fan performance characteristics Variable airflow/pressure How the fan is to be installed


(Duct orientation, location, mounting, etc.)

Acoustics

This part focuses on the first two areas

Fan Performance Fan Curves


The performance of a fan is described by its fan curve:

Describes the fans airflow-to-resistance behaviour Curve of best fit from multiple test points Can also show power absorbed, efficiency, noise level etc. varying with airflow Plotted at one speed

Fan Curve Animated Example

Pressure Drop, Pa Airflow m/s

1 m/s = 1000 L/s

Fan Curves Resistance and pressure


Resistance on fan measured as a pressure difference before & after fan Pressure can be defined as Static or Total Pressure Fantech Data usually references Fan Static Pressure

Velocity Pressure Curve

System Curves Duty Point


Required airflow and resulting duct losses expressed as a duty point Resistance on fan estimated by calculating the pressure loss of the ductwork at an airflow

System Curves Load on the Fan


If duct calculations are perfect, duty point must be on the fan curve for fan to operate on the curve The pressure loss usually varies to 2nd power of flowrate

Fan Operating Points


If duty point is not on fan curve, actual operating point is at intersection of fan and system curves Fan curve valid at one speed

Operating Point Example

100 Pa 0.6 m/s at 150 Pa

354D required to achieve 0.5 m at 100 Pa.

0.5 m/s

Fan Selection Is the fan suitable?


Other criteria: Extremities of fan curve

Good practice to avoid selecting fans near (or above!!) peak pressure development Frequent mistake is to assess this against required duty point not actual fan operating point

Fan Selection Is the fan suitable?


Other criteria: Lack of resistance/pressure

Applicable to centrifugal style fans Increased noise levels at bottom of fan curve (near free air)
Bottom 10% of Pressure

Fan Curves Power Consumption


Fan power output function of airflow and fan total pressure Other factors are pitch angle, speed etc.

Variable Duty Speed Changes


Fan Characteristics Varying with Speed
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 90%

80%

70%

66%

66%

60%
% of Original

50% 44% 40% 29%

30%

20%

10%

0% Speed Airflow Pressure Power

Variable Duty Fan Curves


High Speed and low speed fan curves plotted as per previous bar graph (66% Speed, 44% Pressure)

High Speed

Low Speed

Variable Duty Changing System


If system resistance changes differently to fan characteristics Common cause of trouble are constant pressure applications High and low duty points must be within operating window

Operating Window 80% Pressure Line

Fan Selection Recap


Fan curve shows airflow-pressure Fan operates where system & fan curves match Fan curves can show a lot of other information such as power etc. Varying airflow duties must fall within fans performance envelope

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