| 1 |
Radial-Blade Fan |
Straight blades extend radially from the wheel hub. The open design provides a relatively wide passage for particulate matter. |
General dust collection, woodworking dust, material conveying, furnace exhaust, and systems containing moderate to heavy particulate loads. |
High static-pressure capability with moderate airflow. It is less sensitive to dust buildup than many narrow-blade designs. |
Select a wear-resistant wheel when the dust is abrasive. Check the required airflow, total system resistance, particle size, and operating temperature. |
Install with a correctly sized inlet and outlet duct. Use flexible connectors, a solid foundation, vibration isolation, and an access door for inspection. |
Inspect blades for erosion and buildup, clean the wheel without changing its balance, and check bearings, belts, guards, and fasteners regularly. |
| 2 |
Radial-Tip Fan |
Blades are arranged radially or with a radial tip, combining an open wheel passage with a high-speed blade periphery. |
Dust collection systems that require higher pressure, pneumatic conveying, and applications with moderately abrasive particles. |
High pressure with good resistance to performance loss caused by moderate dust accumulation. |
Verify the fan curve at the actual operating speed. Consider tip speed, material hardness, erosion protection, and motor starting torque. |
Keep the inlet free from sharp elbows placed too close to the fan. Provide an expansion joint where thermal movement or vibration may occur. |
Monitor vibration and wheel balance. Check the blade tips and housing for rubbing, erosion, or deformation. |
| 3 |
Backward-Inclined Fan |
Blades lean away from the direction of wheel rotation. The design is commonly used where relatively high efficiency is required. |
Cleaner dust streams, central dust collection systems, HVAC exhaust with filtration, and process ventilation after effective separation. |
Efficient operation with moderate-to-high pressure and a comparatively stable power curve. |
Use it when energy efficiency is important and the dust load is controlled. Avoid untreated heavy or sticky dust unless the wheel is specifically designed for it. |
Provide straight duct sections where practical and avoid abrupt inlet disturbances. Align the shaft and connect the motor according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
Keep filters and ducts from becoming blocked, because increased system resistance can reduce airflow. Inspect the wheel for deposits and imbalance. |
| 4 |
Airfoil-Blade Fan |
Streamlined hollow or formed blades are shaped like airfoils to reduce aerodynamic losses. |
Large-volume ventilation and dust systems in which the dust is already filtered or has a low concentration of coarse particles. |
High efficiency and high airflow at moderate-to-high pressure, generally with lower operating noise than less streamlined wheels. |
Do not select it for heavy, sticky, fibrous, or highly abrasive dust unless the specific wheel construction is rated for that service. |
Use clean, well-designed inlet ductwork and adequate access for cleaning. Install filters or separators upstream when dust could enter blade cavities. |
Inspect for hidden deposits, corrosion, and blade damage. Verify balance carefully because small deposits can affect a high-efficiency wheel. |
| 5 |
Forward-Curved Fan |
Many narrow blades curve in the direction of wheel rotation. The compact wheel can provide substantial airflow at relatively low speed. |
Low-pressure ventilation and filtered air-handling applications where the dust concentration is low and compact equipment is useful. |
High airflow at low-to-moderate pressure. Power demand can rise rapidly if the fan operates beyond its design point. |
Use only when the dust is light and the air is reasonably clean. Confirm motor overload protection and the operating point on the fan curve. |
Install downstream filtration and protect the wheel from coarse particles. Ensure the rotating assembly is enclosed and properly guarded. |
Clean blades and filters frequently. Check motor current, belt tension, bearing temperature, and signs of wheel loading. |
| 6 |
Paddle-Wheel or Open-Blade Fan |
Wide, simple blades create a large open passage and tolerate irregular or fibrous material better than closely spaced blades. |
Wood chips, textile fibers, paper trim, agricultural residues, and dust streams containing larger lightweight particles. |
Moderate pressure with reliable material passage and comparatively low risk of clogging. |
Match the inlet opening and wheel passage to the largest expected particle. Consider spark control and wear protection for dry combustible materials. |
Use a smooth transition into the inlet and provide cleanout access. Prevent foreign objects from entering the wheel with suitable screens or separators. |
Remove wrapped fibers and accumulated material. Inspect blades for bending, cracks, wear, and balance changes. |
| 7 |
High-Pressure Turbo Fan |
A compact, enclosed impeller with backward-curved or radial-style blades is optimized for higher pressure generation. |
Long duct systems, cartridge-filter resistance, fume extraction, pneumatic conveying, and compact process equipment. |
High static pressure with low-to-moderate airflow compared with larger industrial dust collectors. |
Calculate duct friction, filter pressure drop, elbows, dampers, and conveying velocity. Confirm that the motor can handle the required pressure and flow. |
Use rigid supports and vibration isolation. Install pressure measurement points before and after filters to identify system restriction. |
Check inlet filters, impeller clearance, motor current, bearing condition, and pressure readings. Clean the impeller if efficiency declines. |
| 8 |
Abrasive-Duty Wear-Resistant Fan |
A radial or radial-tip wheel is reinforced with thicker sections, replaceable liners, hardened surfaces, or other erosion-resistant construction. |
Mineral dust, sand, cement dust, metal-processing particles, ash, and other abrasive industrial exhaust streams. |
Pressure and airflow depend on the wheel geometry, but the construction is designed to maintain service life under erosive conditions. |
Specify particle size, density, concentration, hardness, temperature, and expected operating hours. Select suitable wear liners and shaft sealing. |
Support the heavier housing correctly and provide inspection doors near high-wear zones. Avoid excessive inlet velocity that can accelerate erosion. |
Measure casing and blade thickness at defined inspection points. Replace worn liners before the wheel becomes unbalanced or the casing is perforated. |
| 9 |
High-Temperature Process Fan |
Usually based on a radial or backward-inclined wheel with heat-resistant materials, shaft cooling, insulation, or a separate bearing arrangement. |
Kiln exhaust, furnace ventilation, incineration systems, hot process air, and high-temperature dust collection. |
Performance is affected by gas temperature and density; hot air is less dense, so the fan may deliver different mass flow and pressure than at standard conditions. |
Specify operating and maximum upset temperature, gas composition, dust chemistry, thermal expansion, and required mass flow rather than relying only on standard-volume flow. |
Allow for thermal expansion, use suitable expansion joints, protect bearings from radiant heat, and install temperature monitoring where necessary. |
Inspect for thermal distortion, oxidation, casing cracks, bearing overheating, and insulation damage. Check alignment again after thermal cycling. |
| 10 |
Spark-Resistant Dust Fan |
Designed with material combinations and clearances intended to reduce the likelihood of mechanical sparks during operation. |
Combustible dust environments such as grain, flour, sugar, wood, paper, textile, and certain chemical-processing applications. |
Airflow and pressure vary by wheel design; safety performance depends on the complete fan, motor, controls, grounding, and system configuration. |
Complete a combustible-dust hazard assessment. Specify the dust explosibility characteristics, hazardous-area classification, temperature limits, and required certification or compliance standard. |
Bond and ground all conductive components, control ignition sources, use appropriate electrical equipment, and install explosion protection or isolation where required by the risk assessment. |
Prevent dust layers from accumulating, inspect clearances and grounding continuity, and investigate any rubbing, vibration, overheating, or unusual noise immediately. |
