Industrial Fans can be one of the most parasitic pieces of equipment on a system. Taking simple steps to minimize the fan’s negative impact can make a tremendous difference on a facility’s energy efficiency… and bottom line.
- Correctly size your fans. Correctly sized fans are critical to efficiency. If the system resistance curve is not accurately predicted, fan performance/operating efficiency is likely to suffer: Too little flow rate leaves the system unable to operate at peak loads, while oversized fans will result in unstable operation.
- To tip or not to tip. Tipping or de-tipping impellers are good alternatives for improving fan efficiency. A fan that is being dampered by 40% at peak loads is an excellent candidate for de-tipping. Conversely, if your fan is not providing enough power, adding tips will increase the overall pressure-generating capacity.
- Install or upgrade to the most effective blade. Changing blade design can dramatically improve fan efficiency and capacity. At one facility, retrofitting a new backward curved impeller into the existing radial blade housing created over $200,000 in energy savings in the first year – creating a one year ROI. Additionally, many electric networks offer incentives for power savings, making the ROI even better.
- Make it adjustable. For variable speed operation, inverter duty electric motors with adjustable frequency drives minimize losses with four to one turndowns.
- Request a Draft System Assessment. Draft system assessments, including field flow testing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), can identify fan performance issues and serve as a guide for implementing changes that will maximize fan efficiency and reduce energy costs.