Choosing the Right Industrial Fan: Key Factors for Optimal Facility Cooling

A fan can be defined as a machine that rotates like a turbine and provides mechanical energy to circulate the surrounding air. When industrial machines and equipment constantly function on a 12- or 24-hour basis, they produce heat. This built-up excess heat can damage the machine, and hence it needs to be cooled. This is why fans are used in industrial systems and machines as well as electronic devices including computers, primarily for cooling and ventilation. So, depending upon the device, its size and capacity, you need to select the right industrial fan, which is not an easy task. This post discusses some pointers on how to choose industrial fans and more.

What to Consider When Choosing Industrial Fans?

Many OEMs in spite of being experienced may at times wonder how to choose industrial fans specific to the application, and yes, choosing the right one can be tricky. So, here are some pointers that may be helpful.

• Largely, you may have to choose among a centrifugal fan, positive displacement blower, and an axial fan. These are basically categorized on the direction of air blowing.
• If you need a fan for a high-pressure application, opt for a positive displacement blower.
• If your application required ventilation in small multiple devices and compact spaces, opt for axial fans. They offer linear ventilation and are suitable for low-pressure applications.
• Centrifugal fans blow air in a direction perpendicular to the airflow inlet. They are suitable for medium to high pressure applications and are designed to withstand harsh industrial environments.
• When choosing an industrial fan, consider the mounting pattern, and this is applicable for both process or ducted fans as well as ventilation fans. They may be mounted on a wall, duct pad or roof.
• Some type of fans generate noise. Weigh this requirement against the efficiency your application requires. You can opt for low noise, high efficiency fans.
• Consider the ducting part in the design stage if you need a process/ducting fan. The amount of airflow in cubic feet of air per minute must be considered. Also check for other pressure-related parameters such as static pressure, density, airflow, temperature, and so on when choosing a fan.
• Choose compact-sized fans especially for electronic devices.
• Consider the airflow and the air movement vis-à-vis your actual requirement of using the fan, such as for ventilation, cooling, drying, and so on.

You can buy good quality surplus as well as used industrial fans, to save on costs as well as production downtime. Especially, if you are a new player in the manufacturing or electronics segment, buying a used axial fan, used centrifugal fan or other fans & blower parts from an authorized supplier may help. Even if you are an OEM with several years of market presence, buying a used industrial fan may be a good investment, especially if you plan to expand your business. However, it is necessary to source these fans from a reliable supplier. JM Industrial is a supplier of used as well as new high-quality industrial fans and other industrial process machineries.