FAN ENGINEERING

Information and Recommendations for the Engineer FE-1600

Temperature & Altitude Effects

on Fans
Introduction Temperature Effect
Fans are tested in laboratories with test setups that Any temperature other than 70°F affects the air/gas
simulate installations that are typical for that type of fan. density. Fan pressure (P) and horsepower (H) vary
Usually they are tested and rated as one of four stan- directly with the ratio of the air/gas density at the fan
dard installation types as designated in AMCA Standard inlet to the standard density; however, fan air volume
210. These standard installation types are shown in (CFM) is not affected by the air density. Fans are con-
Figure 1. stant volume machines that, when operating at constant
speed will deliver the same CFM at 0.075 lb/ft3 density
Figure 1. Standard Fan Installation Types air as they will with lower density air or higher density
air.
For example, Figure 2 illustrates the effect on the fan
 performance of a density variation from the standard
value created by a change in fan inlet temperature.

Type A: Free Inlet, Free Outlet

Figure 2. Percent of Duct/Fan System Airflow – Q
DUCT SYSTEM A
FAN PRESSURE CURVE @ 0.075 LB/FT3 DENSITY

 @ 0.075 LB/FT3 AT FAN INLET

RESISTANCE AND FAN PRESSURE - P
PERCENT OF DUCT SYSTEM

100
DUCT SYSTEM A
Type B: Free Inlet, Ducted Outlet @ 0.0375 LB/FT3 DENSITY
FAN PRESSURE CURVE
80 @ 0.0375 LB/FT3 AT FAN INLET

 60

40
Pc
P
DENSITY =
RATIO
ρc
ρ
= 0.0375 = 0.5
0.075
20
Type C: Ducted Inlet, Free Outlet
0

 100
H @ 0.075
H
PERCENT OF POWER - H

LB/FT3
80

Type D: Ducted Inlet, Ducted Outlet 60

Hc

Products that are rated and certified by AMCA must 40

illustrate that they have been rated by one of the instal- H @ 0.0375
20
lation types shown above. LB/FT3

In addition to listing the test type, the ratings must 0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
also be published at a standard air inlet density. The
PERCENT OF DUCT SYSTEM VOLUME FLOW RATE Q
fan industry has adopted a standard density of 0.075 lb/
ft3 at 70°F at sea level and at a barometric pressure of
29.92" Hg. All manufacturers’ ratings are made at, or This density ratio must always be considered when
adjusted to, this standard. Whenever a fan is operated selecting a fan from a manufacturer’s catalogs or curves.
in a system where any or all of these conditions vary, The dashed curve is representative of cataloged fan
corrections must be made in order to obtain accurate performance at 70°F at sea level with a barometric pres-
results. sure of 29.92" Hg. (standard air). The solid curve is
It’s not enough to make fan performance adjustments representative of the fan’s performance with an inlet
based on density corrections. The designer must also temperature of 600°F at the same altitude and baromet-
consider what effect the variables that are influencing ric pressure.
the fan air density might have on the structural compo- The fan laws, with the size and speed remaining
nents of the fan. Temperatures other than 70°F can constant, that apply here are as follows:
cause an alloy to become too pliable or brittle. Speed
Qc = Q
adjustments can exceed the limits of the wheel, shaft Where: Q = CFM (cubic feet of air per minute)
Pc = P (ρc/ρ)
and bearings. Gases, other than air, that change the P = pressure (inches of water)
Hc = H (ρc/ρ)
inlet density may also be corrosive to vital structural H = fan brake horsepower
ρc/ρ = density ratio ρ = air density (pounds per cubic foot)
components. All these variables must be considered
subscript c = converted value
when making fan inlet density adjustments.
So how do we determine the air density for tempera-

©2001 Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd.

 tures other than 70°F? One way would be to calculate Example 2: Let us look at Example 1 another way.
it using absolute temperatures, absolute pressures and Suppose the request is for a fan to deliver 15,000 CFM
barometric pressure, or we could simply refer to Table against 3" SP at 350°F. In this case the designer is
1 where it’s been conveniently worked out for a range asking for a fan to develop the 3" SP at 350°F inlet
of temperatures at sea level. temperature. In order to select the fan from the 70°F
Table 1. Corrections for Temperature at Sea Level standard performance tables, we must first convert the
Actually, these factors are used directly to determine static pressure at 350°F to 70°F. We accomplish this by
the factor established in Example 1.
AIR AIR
TEMPERATURE FACTOR TEMPERATURE FACTOR 3" SP x 1.53 = 4.59" SP
(°F) (°F)
–50 0.77  275 1.39 So for this example, if we select the same fan model,
–25 0.82  300 1.43 our new requirements are for 15,000 CFM at 4.59" SP
0 0.87  325 1.48 at 70°F. The fan would operate at 1,742 RPM and
20 0.91  350 1.53
require 16.18 BHP. It then follows that the operating
40 0.94  375 1.58
60 0.98  400 1.62
conditions at 350°F would be as follows:
70 1.00  450 1.72 4.59" SP = 3" SP and 16.18 BHP = 10.58 BHP
80 1.02  500 1.81
1.53 1.53
100 1.06  550 1.91
120 1.09  600 2.00 CFM and RPM would not change. And again, check the
140 1.13  650 2.09
160 1.17  700 2.19
maximum speed limitations of the impeller and proper
180 1.21  750 2.28
motor size for the cold starts.
200 1.25  800 2.38 Also, keep the following in mind when using tem-
225 1.29  900 2.56 perature correction factors:
250 1.34 1000 2.76
1. At temperatures higher than standard air (70°F) the
the corrected fan performance. The factor is equal to air density is less (lighter air); therefore both the pres-
the fan’s rating density (standard air) divided by the sure and brake horsepower will be less.
actual air density at the fan inlet.
2. At temperatures lower than standard air the air den-
Factor = 0.075 lb/ft
3

ρ sity is greater (heavier air); therefore both the pressure

and brake horsepower will be more.
So if the dry air density corresponding to an air tem-
perature other than 70°F is desired, it can be calculated Altitude Effect
by simply dividing 0.075 by the factor. Fans operating at some altitude above sea level are
Fan densities may vary from standard for reasons similar to fans operating above 70°F. The higher the
other than temperature and altitude. Moisture, gas, or a altitude the less dense (lighter) the air. Altitude correction
mixture of gases other than air are a few possibilities. factors for 70°F air are listed in Table 2. Note that these
For these cases it will be necessary to obtain the corrections correspond to average barometric pressure
actual density of the inlet gas stream by some other at the stated altitude. Actual conditions will vary with the
reference material. The factor can then be obtained by weather.
substituting the new density for ρ.
Example 1: A fan is required to deliver 15,000 CFM Table 2. Corrections for Altitude at 70°F Air
against 3" SP (static pressure). The fan is to operate at ALTITUDE FACTOR ALTITUDE FACTOR
350°F. This fan would be selected from a manufacturer’s 0 1.00  5,000 1.20
standard rating table or curve for 15,000 CFM at 3" SP 500 1.02  5,500 1.22
at 70°F and would operate at 1,621 RPM and require 1,000 1.04  6,000 1.25
12.25 BHP. 1,500 1.06  6,500 1.27
To determine the fan’s performance at 350°F, simply 2,000 1.08  7,000 1.30
divide the SP and BHP by the factor from Table 1. The 2,500 1.10  7,500 1.32
factor for 350°F is 1.53; therefore the operating static 3,000 1.12  8,000 1.35
pressure and brake horsepower would be as follows: 3,500 1.14  8,500 1.37
3" SP 12.25 BHP 4,000 1.16  9,000 1.40
= 1.96" SP = 8.01 BHP 4,500 1.18 10,000 1.45
1.53 1.53
Although the fan RPM is within the speed range Example 3: Select a fan to deliver 8,500 CFM at 21⁄2"
specified in the performance tables, the impeller safe SP at 5,500 ft elevation. Since no temperature is given
speed needs to be verified for operation at the elevated it will be assumed to be 70°F. From Table 2, the factor
temperature. Most fan manufacturers will list safe speed for 5,500 ft elevation is 1.22. Converting the static pres-
factors for operation at elevated temperatures in the fan sure to sea level to use the manufacturer’s performance
catalog and in their selection software. tables results in: SP = 1.22 x 21⁄2" SP = 3.05" SP at
Caution is required when selecting the motor. From sea level and 70°F. Selecting a fan for 8,500 CFM at
the BHP calculation it appears that either a 71⁄2 or a 10 3.05" SP results in an RPM of 1,173 and 5.28 BHP at
HP motor could be used. But perhaps the motor selec- sea level with 70°F entering air temperature. At the
tion should be based on a cold start of 12.25 BHP, to operating conditions of 5,500 ft elevation the SP and
allow the fan to start before the air warms up. In this BHP would be corrected to:
case the fan would require a 15 HP motor. An alterna-
3.05" SP 5.28 BHP
tive to a larger motor, depending on the fan’s BHP = 2.5" SP = 4.33 BHP
1.22 1.22
characteristics, could be a shutoff damper that would
not open until the air is up to temperature. For this CFM and RPM would not change. Confirm that the RPM
particular fan, the shutoff power requirement is 6 BHP is within published speed limits. The motor horsepower
at standard conditions. should be okay because the temperature does not vary
and the elevation cannot change.

2 Fan Engineering FE-1600

 Temperature and Altitude Effect ACFM (actual cubic feet per minute) — Represents the
volume of gas flowing anywhere in the system indepen-
When both temperature and elevation changes are pres- dent of its density. ACFM or CFM is the value that is
ent, the air density must be modified by a factor from used when selecting a fan.
both Tables 1 and 2. An alternative to this would be to
use a single density ratio number such as can be found SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) — Air volume
in Figure 3. corrected to standard density conditions. This term is
commonly used when a given weight rate of flow is
Figure 3. Air Density Ratios at Various Altitudes required. For example, to determine the SCFM of a fan
and Temperatures delivering 10,000 CFM at 600°F, we would multiply the
600 ALT
CFM by the density ratio or divide it by the factor.
550 0.0375 lb/ft3
10,000 CFM x = 5,000 SCFM
ITUD

500 0.075 lb/ft3

E IN

450 Selecting a fan when SCFM is specified requires us to

FEE

calculate the ACFM. If the fan was specified for 10,000

T

400
SCFM at 600°F, then an equivalent weight rate of flow
350 is desired at 600°F.
TEMPERATURE (F)

0.075 lb/ft3
300
10,000 SCFM x = 20,000 CFM
0.0375 lb/ft3
250
Select the fan for 20,000 CFM.
200

150 Inlet Suction Effect

100
A common influence on density, especially on exhaust
systems, is suction. When system resistance is placed
50 on a fan’s inlet, the suction creates a partial vacuum at
0
the inlet. This negative inlet pressure (partial vacuum)
lowers the barometric pressure at the inlet and therefore
-50 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0 the inlet density. This correction is rarely accounted for
-100
unless the suction pressure exceeds 10" SP. In any
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 event, this negative inlet pressure effect can be account-
DENSITY RATIO
ed for in the following manner:
Example 4: Select a fan to deliver 8500 CFM at 21⁄2" Inlet density (lb/ft3) =
SP at 5,500 ft elevation at 250°F. From Table 1 the Atm. Press. (IWG) + Inlet SP (IWG)
factor for 250°F is 1.34 and from Table 2 the factor for Gas density (lb/ft3) x Atm. Press. (IWG)
5,500 ft elevation is 1.22. The overall factor is obtained
by multiplying these factors: 1.34 x 1.22 = 1.63. To use — or —
a fan manufacturer’s performance tables, convert the SP Atm. Press. (IWG) + Inlet SP (IWG)
to standard air: DR (inlet) = DR (gas) x
Atm. Press. (IWG)
2.5" SP x 1.63 factor = 4.08" SP Where: Atm. Press. = atmospheric pressure = 407" w.g.
(at other than sea level divide 407 by the altitude factor to get
The fan will be selected for 8,500 CFM at 4.08" SP and the atmospheric pressure)
will operate at 1,287 RPM, 6.96 BHP. Converting to Density of standard air = 0.075 lb/ft3
Density ratio (DR) of standard air = 1.00
operating conditions results in: Inlet SP is normally a negative number.
4.08" SP 6.96 BHP
= 2.5" SP = 4.27 BHP Example 5: A fan is to deliver 10,750 ACFM at 22" SP.
1.63 1.63
20" of this pressure is at the fan inlet.
And again, CFM and RPM will not change. Also, if the
fan is to start cold, it will still be at 5,500 ft elevation. 407 + (–20)
DR (inlet) = 1.00 x = 0.951
Therefore, to obtain the “cold” horsepower, divide the 407
standard air horsepower by the altitude factor only. SP = 22" ÷ 0.951 = 23.1" SP at 70°F
6.96 BHP
= 5.70 BHP Therefore, a fan is selected for 10,750 CFM at 23.1" SP
1.22
which results in an RPM of 1,873 and a BHP of 63.81.
Identical results can also be achieved by using Figure The corrected BHP would then equal 63.81 x 0.951 or
3. Locate the temperature on the left-hand scale and 60.68 BHP.
proceed horizontally to the intersect of the altitude curve,
and then follow it vertically down to the density ratio at Example 6: If conditions were at 200°F instead of stan-
the bottom of the graph. For a temperature of 250°F dard air, then:
and an elevation of 5,500 ft, we read a density ratio of 407 + (–20)
DR (inlet) = 0.80 x = 0.761
0.613. The density ratio is simply the reciprocal of the 407
factor. SP = 22" ÷ 0.761 = 28.9" SP at 200°F
1 The fan would now be selected for 10,750 CFM at
= 0.613 density ratio (DR)
1.63 factor 28.9" SP resulting in a speed of 2,073 RPM and a BHP
of 79.64. The corrected BHP would then equal 79.64 x
ACFM vs SCFM 0.761 or 60.68 BHP.
These two terms are commonly used in design work, Both selections could be operated with a 60 HP
and they should not be confused as this greatly influ- motor; however, if the 200°F fan were to be subjected
ences the fan selection. to cold starts without a shutoff damper, then a 100 HP
motor would be required.
3 Fan Engineering FE-1600
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