Industrial blowers, simply put, are just an electric driven industrial fan. Their sole purpose is to drive a current of air or gas from one point to another while following certain specifications. They have allowed modern industry all around the world to create bigger, better, industrial operations in a safer environment.

Axial Flow and Centrifugal Flow Classifications

There are two main classifications : Axial Fans and Centrifugal Blowers

The axial flow fan is well known around the average household as a ceiling fan: the motor spins blades around a hub, which moves air parallel to the axis of rotation. This type of blower is primarily used in ventilation systems.

A centrifugal blower uses centrifugal forces to rotate the blades. The flow of air or gas is moved around a fixed point, allowing sediments in the air to be caught. This very fact makes them great for pollution control, but they also serve as a high-pressure cooling mechanism. Examples around the household would include a hair dryer, leaf blower, or air mattress inflation device.

Air Movement - Forced Draft and Induced Draft

A forced draft blower has the workload on the discharge of the blower. Many furnaces and wood stoves will have this type of blower fan to control the flow of oxygen in a combustion chamber.

Induced draft blowers have the workload on the intake of the blower. They are viewed as a pulling force, rather than a push. This type of blower fan is used in pollution control, gas aeration, and temperature control in industrial environments.

Motor Placement - Belt Driven and Direct Drive

The main difference between a belt driven blower and a direct drive blower is the location of the motor. The direct drive blower has the wheel/impeller directly mounted to the motor shaft.

The belt driven fan has the wheel/Impeller mounted on a separate fan shaft and is connected to the motor by belts and sheaves. Belt driven fans are mandatory in an environment where high temperature or air contaminants would interfere with the motor. Belt driven blowers are also more adaptable to performance changes by simply changing sheave sizes.

Special Operations - Industry-Specific Blowers

Industrial blowers exist for all types of industries. The way a blower must operate varies greatly from one industry to another. From air-tight blowers to general industrial designs, each industry is different.

Aeration Blowers - Aeration blowers serve the purpose of circulating air throughout a liquid or substance. The average home owner will be familiar with the Jacuzzi, which uses an aeration system to create bubbles.

Aeration blowers serve many purposes in the industrial environment. Some examples might include treatment of wastewater, oxidizing a chemical compound, or to aerate a body of water for healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Agitation Blowers - An agitation blower is primarily used in plating operations, but has been notably used in cleaning, rinsing, and waste management operations as well.

Plating operations seek to coat a thin layer of metal onto a target layer of metal- whether for beauty or durability.

Cooling Blower - A cooling blower is used to reduce the overall temperature of a system or product.

Cooling blowers are much like the average ceiling fan - attempting to aerate the environment and dissipate heat. Industrial machinery that involves high friction or temperatures need such blowers in order to operate at a safe temperature.

Electronic Cooling Equipment Blower - The cooling of electronics is dire for maintaining efficiency and longevity of electronics components.

Every high-end electronics device has some form of blower. An example would be with the motherboard of a computer. In industrial applications, keeping the pricey equipment at a cool temperature is necessary to prevent frequent repairs of damaged components.

Gas Blower - A gas blower is a simple categorization of blowers that moves gas from one place to another.

Glass Blowing Blower - A gas blowing blower is used in the act of blowing glass. They are used to control the air temperature of the furnace in order to produce a glass product.

Grain Blower - A grain blower is used to dry and clean grains. They are necessary for creating many types of products such as cereal, breads, and pastas. This process is necessary before cooking or mixing begins.

Marine Blower - Marine blowers are specially designed for on-board applications, including military & commercial ships and oil rigs.

Mining Blower - Mining operations are incredibly dangerous due to the lack of air circulation. Mining blowers are required for oxygen to get to all major areas of a mine.

OEM Blower - An OEM (original equipment manufacturer) blower is a blower that is manufactured by one company and supplied to an OEM for incorporation into their piece of equipment.

Pneumatic Conveying Blower - A pneumatic conveying blower is used to move a dry, bulk, material. This might include a powder, grain, wood chip, or steel pellets.

Vaneaxial Blower - A vaneaxial blower is an axial blower that incorporates downstream guide vanes. They are considered to be the most efficient of all current axial fan types.

Questions / Comments

If you have questions or comments regarding industrial blowers, don't hesitate to contact us at:

American Fan Company
2933 Symmes Road
Fairfield, OH 45014-2099

866-771-6266

mark.fitzgerald@flaktwoods.com