Apart from the electrical and mechanical components, the efficiency of a fan is

to a large extent dependent upon the shape and orientation of the blades. All
fans of a given power rating will rotate at a speed commensurate with the air
resistance, i.e. the lower the air resistance, the faster the rotation and the
greater the flow.

Multi-stage fans are used where a very high outlet pressure is required. I.e.
Calculators each fan in the sequence increases pressure over the previous fan until you
have achieved the pressure required. One normal axial fan operating at
Useful Stuff maximum efficiency can achieve a velocity pressure (pᵥ) of up to 0.5psi
(≈3,500N/m²). A high-efficiency, multi-stage (series of fans) turbo-blower can
achieve pressures more than a hundred times greater.
Definitions

Help ▼
Generic Fans
Fan Calculator (Axial & Centrifugal) CalQlata has tried to keep the operation of this calculation option as simple as
possible, given that it is recommended for general purpose calculations only
Fans are used for moving gases (e.g. air) from one place to another for and not for actual purchase specifications (see Fan Calculator – Technical
extraction, air-conditioning, compression, etc. They do this by rotating a series Help below).
of angled blades (or vanes) that pull the air through an aperture.
Fig 2 shows the pressures through a
There are a number of fan types: impeller, fan, each of which is described below:
axial, centrifugal, Sirocco, etc. all of which have
individual benefits (volume, pressure, speed, Inlet Pressure; is the static pressure
power, efficiency, etc.) but all of them will shift on the inlet side of the fan. This should
gases at the same rate based upon the input also include the velocity pressure on the
power. Differences such as efficiency or flow inlet side (if known) that is constant and
rate occur in the type of fan due to particular in-line with the fan. You can include this
design advantages that favour one effect if you wish by using the following
characteristic over another. For example, an formula:
impeller fan has a higher efficiency when pᵢ = pᵢ ± ½.v².ρᵢ {use '+' if the direction
transporting clean (light air) at high flow rates
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(high speed), whereas a straight-bladed Page 1 of 21
it is moving away from the fan (which is
Sirocco fan is more efficient when propelling an unlikely event given the suction Fig 2. Fan Air Pressures
heavy gases (vapours and particulates) direction)}
because centrifugal force is the dominant Fig 1. Fan Blade Airflow
driver. Multi-stage fans are normally used to Outlet Pressure; is the static pressure on the outlet side of the fan. This
increase outlet pressure, but are comparatively expensive. should also include the velocity pressure on the outlet side (if known) that is
constant and in line with the fan as well as the velocity pressure (pᵥ) generated
Airflow through the impeller is generated by rotating profiled blades (Fig 1) in a by the fan. You can include this effect if you wish by using the following
cowling that cut into the air at their inlet tip pushing the air back along the formula:
blade and, in the case of centrifugal fans, also from centrifugal forces pₒ = pₒ ± ½.v².ρₒ {use '+' if the direction of movement is towards the fan and '-
generating a partial vacuum on the inlet side of the fan due to the entrained air ' if it is moving away from the fan}
being thrown outwards according the relationship a = v²/r
 Velocity Pressure; is the pressure generated by the gas moving through the Construction heavy medium light
fan FF = free flow WG = water gauge

Discharge Pressure; is the sum of the velocity pressure and the difference Please bear in mind that the backward-straight-forward relationship refers to
between the outlet pressure and the inlet pressure (Fig 2) the inlet tip of the impeller blade (0° < θᵢ < 180°)
It is inadvisable to significantly orientate the outlet tip of an impeller blade in a
Static Pressure; is the maximum of the inlet and outlet pressures forward direction (θₒ > 110°) as it would disrupt airflow and give unreliable
results.
Pressure Head; is the head generated by the discharge pressure at the outlet
side of the fan
Efficiency

Whilst a fan's efficiency is not the only

Fan Blade Design (Axial and Centrifugal) consideration for a designer,
performance being his/her primary
The shape of your blades and the direction concern, it should not be ignored.
they travel will define the performance Therefore, having achieved the design
characteristics of your fan. requirements, the designer should then
Fig 3 shows the velocity diagram for the air proceed to optimise operational
flowing into the fan (inlet) and out of it efficiency.
(outlet).
A fan's operational efficiencies are
v₁ᵢ and v₁ₒ: the inlet and outlet velocities of
primarily dependent upon two factors;
the air through the blades will be the same
blade tip angles and
for axial fans and different for centrifugal Fig 4. Axial Fan Efficiency
mechanical/electrical equipment. The fan
fans
Fig 3. Air Velocity Diagram calculator addresses only the blade
v₂ᵢ and v₂ₒ: the circular speed of the inlet and
angles. Mechanical/electrical efficiency must be dealt with by the designer when
outlet edges of the blade will be the same
selecting suitable materials and drive systems. The head losses generated by
for axial fans and different for centrifugal fans
the blade tip angles (inlet and outlet) define a fan's 'air' efficiencies.
v₃ᵢ and v₃ₒ: the speed of the air over the surface of the blade will vary from inlet
These losses are as follows ...
to outlet for both axial and centrifugal fans
Shock (Lˢ): The air entering a centrifugal impeller changes direction from v₁ᵢ to
v₄ᵢ and v₄ₒ: the centrifugal velocity component of the air will be zero for the inlet
vᵢ producing a shock load on the blade. The leading (inlet edge) angle can be
edge of an axial fan blade and will vary from inlet to outlet for both axial and
set to eliminate this shock resulting in v₄ᵢ=0. This loss does not apply to axial
centrifugal fans
fans; i.e. Lˢ=0
vᵢ and vₒ: the absolute velocity of the air at the inlet and outlet edges of the
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Friction (Lᶠ): The Page 3air passing over the surface of the blade (v₃ᵢ to v₃ₒ) will slow
of 21
blade and will vary from inlet to outlet for both axial and centrifugal fans
down as a result of friction between the air and blade.
The following table summarises the characteristics you can expect from your Energy (Lᵉ): Air leaving the impeller of a centrifugal fan contains stored energy
fan dependent upon the shape of its blades (Fig 3). that is not converted into head or velocity. This loss does not apply to axial
fans; i.e. Lᵉ=0
Characteristic Backward Facing { Straight { |→ } Forward Facing { ... which is largely determined by the leading and trailing blade angles.
)→ } (→ }
Speed high medium low As long as the cross-sectional area of a fan's diffuser (outer casing; Ac) is
Noise medium high low
greater than the surface area of the outside diameter of the impeller (A or Ao
Pressure high (20" to 40" WG) medium (8" to 15" Low (3" to 6" WG)
WG) for axial and centrifugal respectively), the fan will exhaust 100% of volumetric
Volume Flow medium low high flow with the same pressure variation as generated by the impeller (δp). As the
Particulates good excellent poor diffuser area is reduced, the flow-rate will fall and outlet pressure will increase.
Efficiency 80% x FF65% 70% x FF45% 70% x FF40%
 Axial Fans The radial depth of a high aspect ratio (0.75<ф<1.0) impeller is relatively
shallow compared with its OD
Axial fans only operate with inlet and outlet angles between 0° and 90° and the
outlet angle must be greater than the inlet angle (Fig 3). Moreover, as can be High aspect ratio impellers are used for high-pressures and low flow rates
seen in Fig 4, the inlet angle should be as small as possible and there is little to (small impeller volume). However, the flow rate in wide high aspect ratio
be gained by providing an outlet angle less than 90° impellers can be improved by matching the shape of the input orifice to that of
the impeller's cross-section
Efficiency varies slightly with impeller diameters (Øᵢ and Øₒ) and operating
speed (N) but not with fan length (ℓ). The radial depth of a medium aspect ratio (0.5<ф<0.75) impeller is relatively
high compared with its OD. Such impellers provide greater flow rates but
Centrifugal Fans reduced pressure potential

As shown in Fig 5, except for very Centrifugal fans are normally fitted with impeller aspect ratios greater than 0.5
specific performance requirements,
there is little to be gained in designing Axial fans are normally fitted with impeller aspect ratios less than 0.5 (where
a centrifugal impeller with blade tip flow is of greater importance than pressure)
angles greater than 90°.
Irrespective of design criteria, an impeller's aspect ratio should ensure that its
For general applications, maximum airflow is not compromised. With particular regard to centrifugal fans; the
isentropic efficiency will be achieved impeller inlet area should be no less than the inlet area of the blades; π.Øᵢ²/4 ≥
by selecting small inlet angles and π.Øᵢ.w.
large outlet angles, however, this will
be at the expense of head efficiency.
Optimum efficiencies (head and Fig 5. Centrifugal Fan Efficiency
isentropic) generally occur when inlet Impeller ID
and outlet blade tips are set at angles around 45°.
It is important to ensure that the inlet diameter of your centrifugal impeller is
Efficiency at these (optimum) angles varies with impeller diameters (Øᵢ and Øₒ) sufficient given the available inlet pressure (ambient or artificial) for the desired
but is unaffected by variations in operating speed (N). outlet mass or volumetric flow rate.

Axial vs Centrifugal For example; an impeller of 0.5m diameter with an ID of 0.1m will never
achieve the flow rate for which the impeller OD is capable unless the inlet
A comparison between the efficiency and performance of equivalent Axial and pressure/flow-rate is artificially increased.
Centrifugal impellers is provided below ...
Axial:
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ε = 100%; H = 15.5m; P = 268W; δp = 202Pa
Centrifugal: How Many Blades?
ε = 74.4%; H = 14.3m; P = 322W; δp = 181Pa
... making the axial fan more efficient, primarily due to the negligible losses The number of blades (in your impeller) does not affect Fans' calculation
from shock and outlet energy that are always present and need to be optimised results.
in centrifugal fans. I.e. it is entirely up to you as to how many blades you use in your impeller.

Fans' calculations are based upon all the entrained air passing through the
impeller with each rotation, which is normal practice for optimum blade
Aspect Ratio configurations.
However:
CalQlata defines the aspect ratio (ф) of an impeller thus: ф = ID/OD Too few blades; the air trailing each blade will be turbulent, reducing
 operational efficiency. I.e. your fan will not actually achieve the nearest (adjacent) to the impeller.
desired/calculated flow-rate and/or pressure.
Too many blades will also reduce fan efficiency through increased skin friction Unless the purpose of a fan is to generate suction, there is nothing to be gained
and impeller mass (i.e. greater operational power). by restricting inlet airflow. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the inlet
A few rules: diffuser should be no less than that of the impeller blade inlet.
1 Blade: Airflow will occur according to our calculations for about 1/3rd of the If the casing inlet includes a diffuser, it is normally considered advisable to
impeller volume, the rest of the air within the impeller will be turbulent making taper the diffuser to minimise the effects of surface friction.
your fan extremely inefficient. Such a configuration is also difficult to balance.
2 Blades: Significantly improved airflow characteristics than one blade designs Outlet Diffuser
but still generates significant turbulence (behind each blade). Blade balancing is
easier to achieve than one blade designs. For the purposes of this description; the outlet area of a diffuser is the orifice
3 Blades: Excellent for impellers with small aspect ratio (e.g. axial fans) and furthest from the impeller.
much simpler to balance than 1 and 2-Blade designs.
4 Blades: Better airflow than the 3-Blade configuration but 33% greater skin It is normal practice to design the diffuser outlet to minimise airflow restriction.
friction. Airflow improvement more than offsets losses from skin friction. In this case, the outlet area should be no less than that of the impeller blades.
5 Blades: Best configuration for all medium aspect ratio impellers. If the casing outlet includes a diffuser, it is normally considered advisable to
6 Blades: Losses from increased skin friction and mass begin to exceed airflow taper the diffuser to minimise the effects of surface friction.
gains.
Where outlet airflow is to be restricted, this may be achieved by reducing the
>6 Blades: A general rule for large aspect ratio impellers (ф > 0.75) is to set
diffuser outlet area (there is little to be gained by increasing the diffuser outlet
the straight-line distance between the internal tips (toes) of adjacent blades
area). The relative areas (impeller:diffuser) will define the resultant head,
approximately equal to the depth (radial height) of each blade.
pressure and velocity of the outflowing air; volumetric flow-rate will of course
Skin friction has a greater effect on flow-rate than pressure in fast fans. remain unchanged.
I.e. it is advisable to minimise the number of blades in high flow-rate fans.
However many blades you decide to install, you should ensure that they should
not overlap
The Theory (a few tips)
If you are considering a forward facing blade configuration for a centrifugal fan,
you will need to increase the number of blades significantly over the above The theory on which this calculator is based is usually credited to Charles Innes.
rules in order to ensure sufficient inlet velocity. Fans will not generate a result It is now considered to be the industry standard and has stood the test of time
for forward facing configurations with insufficient blades. since 1916.
It is based upon the velocity of air as it passes over the blade profile (Fig 3).
Like all theories it requires you to follow a few basic rules. if you don't follow
https://www.calqlata.com/productpages/00060-help.html the rules, your fan won't work. This does not mean Innes' theory doesn't work,
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Page 7 of 21
Casing it means that the air will not flow over the fan correctly.

A fan casing may be any shape or size as long as its inlet and outlet diffusers For example the theory assumes a smooth transition from inlet blade tip to
do not impede airflow beyond that intended by the designer. outlet blade tip. The two blade tip angles define the profile of your blade.
For example; Fans does not consider the manufacturing quality of the impeller Charles Innes did not create the performance of air over a curved blade, he
casing, nor does it consider internal bends or deformations affecting the flow- simply shows us how to calculate it.
path.
If you get it wrong, the results will be meaningless, not just theoretically
meaningless but practically also. Your impeller won't work.
Inlet Diffuser
For example:
For the purposes of this description; the inlet area of a diffuser is the orifice
1) Always try to use a backward facing blade where possible. It generates more
 head (pressure) and is much more efficient. 3) The power output (in Watts if you are entering Newtons and Metres) is that
needed for movement of the air only.
2) Paddle blades must be 90° inlet and outlet (not simply close to this value) as Because power is calculated thus: P = 2.π.N.T and T = m.g.r, that required to
they do not drive the air using the blade profile, they drive air out through the spin your impeller can be linearly interpolated by factoring in the mass of the
impeller using centrifugal force and any other angle will create unnecessary impeller.
back pressure For example; if your impeller material has 4 times the mass of the air entrained
within it, the input power required to drive your fan will be 5 times greater than
3) Always use inlet blade angles considerably less than 90°
that calculated in Fans, added to which will be any power losses in the drive
4) When setting blade outlet angles greater than 90°, always set the inlet blade system.
angle shallow enough to overcome inward thrust from the outlet tip. The
It is usual to ensure that the inlet and outlet areas of the casing are the same
greater the outlet blade angle the shallower must be the inlet tip angle. If you
as the inlet and outlet areas of the impeller. This will ensure that the flow and
just alter the outlet angle without adjusting the inlet angle you will struggle to
pressure expected from your fan will be similar to your impeller. However,
find a solution. This is a particularly sensitive calculation as pressure generation
frictional and directional losses from the casing invariably reduce output
is already low; it doesn't take much to generate a negative pressure.
efficiency.
5) If you are getting negative results, this simply means that your head losses
4) Input area of the impeller blades is π.Øᵢ.w
are greater than the head generated.
It is important to ensure that the impeller aspect ratio and diffuser inlet area is
If you are getting negative results with blade outlet tip equal to 90°, it means
always larger than this to minimise frictional loss.
that the theory is having a problem with the fan design. This problem can be
overcome simply by altering the outlet angle to 89.99°. 5) Output area of the impeller is π.Øₒ.w
The outlet area may be larger or smaller than this dependent upon your
Outlet blade angles greater than 90° will always give you a bit of a challenge to
performance requirements. However, if the width of your casing outlet is
create a workable solution. The secret here is to ensure that inlet angle is very
narrower than the impeller, your fan's efficiency will suffer.
shallow (e.g. << 45°; i.e. a deep cup-shape blade) to generate the inlet
pressure required to overcome the negative pressure at the outlet. Moreover, it The blade-tip angles define a fan's performance. It is therefore necessary to
is advisable to minimise the number of blades used in such fans. play with these to achieve the desired results. For example:
Increasing the input blade-tip angle (θᵢ) will increase power consumption (P)
and pressure variation (δp), but it will decrease flow rate (Q)
Increasing the output blade-tip angle (θₒ) will increase power consumption (P),
Fan Design Procedure pressure variation (δp) and flow rate (Q)
Moreover, a one-degree variation in blade tip angle will effect fan performance
It is important to remember the following when designing a fan using the Axial
differently whether it is applied to the inner or outer edge of the blade.
and/or Centrifugal calculation options in our fan calculator:
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The output results from Fans are for driving the air alone. Page 9 of 21

Power will increase with material mass & drive mechanism inefficiencies, and
the head and flow rates will vary with casing design. Fan Calculator – Technical Help
The drive system and casing irregularities are difficult to incorporate in a
calculator as the possible variations are infinite. Fans calculates the airflow through an impeller together with the expected
Hence the need to follow a suitable procedure when designing your fan (a effects a restricted casing diffuser would generate.
driven impeller within a casing).
The fan calculator has been designed to enable you to specify a suitable product
1) List your operating parameters (flow-rate, head, pressure-rise, etc.) for your application, not (necessarily) to design a fan⁽¹⁾.

2) Use Fans to size your impeller and set your blade angles. Output co-
ordinates can be found in the Data Listing menu. Copy and paste into your Units
spreadsheet for plotting (see Fig 8).
 You may use any units you like, but you must be consistent. Selecting the correct values for inlet and outlet pressures will provide your
greatest dilemma in these calculations. For example:
You should be careful when selecting your units as your gas constant (Rₐ) will
dictate the units of mass and length for all your output results, i.e.; If you are extracting from a room in your house or office and you assume that
the pressure inside and outside are both exactly at one atmosphere
If you are using metric units, you may find it simpler to use metres and (101,325N/m²), the calculated power consumption of your fan will be
kilograms and for Imperial calculations, you should find it easier to use feet and considerably less than in reality. However, by charging the fan with air, it will
pounds (avoirdupois) as the gas constant is readily available in these units. You naturally generate a localised vacuum at the inlet side, and the greater
will find values for the appropriate constants (Rᵢ and g) in the Technical Help movement of air outside the fan will normally generate higher positive pressure
menu of the fan calculator. than atmospheric for the fan to overcome.

Atmospheric pressure normally varies between 0.98 & 1.05 bar. You need not
Common Data
concern yourself with pressures lower than 1 bar as flow rates under such
g is the acceleration due to gravity. This value must be set to 1 (one) if pᵢ is in conditions will be achieved with less power input. 1.05 bar represents unusually
units of mass per unit area such as kgf/m² or lbf/ft². high pressure and may be ignored for general applications.

CalQlata suggests that, unless you have actual or more accurate data for the
Generic pressure differentials between inlet and outlet you could estimate these
pressures as follows (Fig 6):

pᵢ: Calculate the flow rate, setting the inlet and outlet pressures both equal at
101,322.5N/m². Then deduct the velocity pressure from the atmospheric
pressure (pᵢ = pᵢ - pᵥ)

pₒ: Multiply atmospheric pressure by 1.025 (i.e. pₒ = 103858N/m²)

Input Data

Q is the volumetric quantity of gas {m³} you want to shift through the fan
every second. The fan calculator converts this value into mass flow rate {Q̊ },
mole flow rate {Q̅ } and linear velocity {v}.

V is the volume of a room or space that your fan must affect a gas-change rate
(δV). You may ignore this value if you're not interested in determining the gas-
https://www.calqlata.com/productpages/00060-help.html change rate as this isPM
the only calculation where it's used.
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Aₒ is the cross-sectional area of the outlet side of the fan

ε is the efficiency of the fan (which is normally between 50% and 90%
dependent upon gas and design). You may enter this value as a factor (e.g.
0.67) or a percentage value (e.g. 67). The fan calculator will recognise the
correct value; i.e. you cannot have a factor>1.0 and Fans will assume that
your fan will have an efficiency greater than 1%.

Fig 6. Inlet & Outlet Pressures RAM is the relative atomic mass of the gas (e.g. air) passing through the fan

Inlet and Outlet Pressures pᵢ and pₒ are pressures of the gas at the inlet and outlet sides of the fan
respectively
 Ṯ is temperature of the gas at both the inlet and outlet sides of the fan Lᶠ: lower Øᵢ, Øₒ, N, θᵢ or raise θₒ
Raise θₒ to improve efficiency (ε)
Rᵢ is the ideal gas constant
Centrifugal Fans
Output Data In order to lower ...
set θᵢ to {θᵢ} for Lˢ = 0
P is the minimum power of the fan (e.g. Watts). If you need to include losses in
Lᶠ: lower Øₒ, N and raise Øᵢ, θₒ
addition to the efficiency of the fan (ε) you can incorporate them by multiplying
Lᵉ: lower Øᵢ, N, θₒ and raise Øₒ
the expected additional losses by the efficiency factor and entering the modified
In other words; increasing:
value for ε in the input data
Øᵢ: lowers Lᶠ and raises Lᵉ
Q̊ is the mass flow rate of gas through the fan Øₒ: raises Lᶠ and lowers Lᵉ
N: raises Lᶠ and Lᵉ
Q̅ is the mole flow rate of gas through the fan θₒ: lowers Lᶠ and raises Lᵉ

v is linear velocity of the gas through the outlet aperture Input Data

ρᵢ and ρₒ are the input and output densities of the gas (respectively) passing N is the rotational speed of the fan blades in revolutions per minute
through the fan
θᵢ⁽²⁾ is the angle of the inlet tip of the blade which can only be between 0° and
pᵥ is the velocity pressure of the gas passing through the fan, i.e. this pressure 180°. If this angle is greater than 'θₒ' a warning will appear to increase the
only exists in the moving gas outlet angle
Note: angles greater than 90° will struggle to generate the inlet velocity required to initiate throughput. Even forward
pd is the discharge pressure generated by the fan; i.e. the difference between facing blades should have inlet angles <90° {'forward facing' refers to the outlet angle only}
the inlet and outlet pressures plus the velocity pressure
θₒ⁽²⁾ is the angle of the outlet tip of the blade which can only be between 0° and
ps is the static pressure in the fan; i.e. the maximum of inlet and outlet 180°. If this angle is less than 'θᵢ' a warning will appear to increase its value
pressure
Øᵢ is inside diameter of the fan blades
h is the pressure head of the gas at the outlet side of the fan
Øₒ is outside diameter of the fan blades
δV is the volume change rate of the room volume (V)
ℓ is the length of the blades between the inlet and outlet edges in an axial fan

Axial & Centrifugal (Blade Design) w is the width of the blades in a centrifugal fan, parallel to the axis of rotation
https://www.calqlata.com/productpages/00060-help.html of the impeller
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This calculation option determines the airflow through impeller blades. It does Page 13 of 21
not calculate a fan's mechanical efficiency. ρᵢ is the density of the air at the inlet edge of the fan blades
In order to improve the airflow efficiency of a fan, you need to minimise the
losses (Lˢ, Lᶠ, Lᵉ) and to do this you need to optimise the size and shape of the pᵢ is the pressure of the air at the inlet edge of the fan blades
its blades.
You will find that some changes to input data reduce one loss but raise another Ṯ is the temperature of the air at the inlet edge of the fan blades
so a little trial and error is required to maximise efficiency.
Rₐ is the specific (or mass) gas constant
The only variables that need to be modified in a fan to improve its efficiency are
F is the coefficient of friction of air (with the blades). The generally accepted
listed below:
value for clean dry air is 0.125, but entrained water, particles and/or significant
Axial Fans temperature variations can increase this value
In order to lower ...
 γ is the ratio of specific heats (γ = cp/cv) which is used to calculate the (excluding mechanical efficiency)
isentropic efficiency (εᴵ)
{for air; γ ≈ 1.422} ε is the efficiency of the airflow through the fan based upon the loss of head,
ignoring loss due to inlet shock (Lˢ) (excluding mechanical efficiency)
n° is the number of blades in the impeller
εᴵ is the isentropic efficiency of the airflow through the fan
Ac is the cross-sectional area of the casing diffuser
If this value is set greater than or equal to the impeller outlet area, pc, vc, ρc, vᵢ is the absolute velocity of the air at the inlet edge of the blades
Hc and Pc may be ignored as the casing outlet diffuser is expected to have no
vₒ is the absolute velocity of the air at the outlet edge of the blades
appreciable effect on fan performance.
v₁ᵢ is the axial (AXIAL FANS) or radial (CENTRIFUGAL FANS) velocity of the air
Output Data
at the inlet edge of the blades. This value is equal to 'v₁ₒ' in axial fans
Q is the volumetric flow rate (per second) of air through the fan. Multiply this
v₁ₒ is the axial (AXIAL FANS) or radial (CENTRIFUGAL FANS) velocity of the air
figure by the outlet density ('ρₒ') to find the mass flow rate (per second).
at the outlet edge of the blades. This value is equal to 'v₁ᵢ' in axial fans
It is important to note that this is the output rate of the impeller assuming no
restrictions from the fan casing. If the fan outlet diffuser area is less than the v₂ᵢ is the velocity inlet side of the blades. This value is equal to 'v₂ₒ' in axial fans
surface area of the impeller outside diameter (Øₒ), this flow rate will not be
achieved by the fan. A simple calculation procedure you may use to establish v₂ₒ is the velocity outlet side of the blades. This value is equal to 'v₂ᵢ' in axial
the output flow rate of the fan (impeller inside a casing) is provided in the fans
calculators technical help menu.
v₃ᵢ is the velocity of the air passing over the blades at the inlet edge of the
T is the torque required to rotate the blades through the air at the speed (N) blades
required for a free-flowing impeller. This figure will be higher for an impeller in
a casing (i.e. a fan) v₃ₒ is the velocity of the air passing over the blades at the outlet edge of the
blades
P is the power required to drive the torque (T)
v₄ᵢ is the rotational velocity component of the air at the inlet edge of the blades
δp is the change in pressure from inlet to outlet (this value is zero for axial fans)

ρₒ is the density of the air leaving the fan v₄ₒ is the rotational velocity component of the air at the outlet edge of the
blades
Hᵀ is the pressure-head of the fan before removing the effect of the operational
losses (Lˢ, Lᶠ, Lᵉ) Axial Impeller Outlet Area:
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Lˢ is the loss of head due to the air changing direction as it enters the fan. This A is the airflow area through the blades of an axial impeller
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value is zero for axial fans and sometimes ignored in head (H) and efficiency (ε)
calculations for centrifugal fans. Centrifugal Impeller Outlet Area:

Lᶠ is the loss of head due to friction between the air and blades. Ar is the ratio of inlet and outlet areas (Ai:Ao)

Lᵉ is the loss of head from the stored energy in the air leaving the fan. This Ai is the airflow inlet area through the blades of a centrifugal impeller
value is zero for axial fans.
Ao is the airflow outlet area through the blades of a centrifugal impeller
H is the pressure-head of the fan after removing the effect of the operational
Common Output Data (immediately prior to outlet diffuser of the fan casing):
losses (Lˢ, Lᶠ, Lᵉ)
pc is the expected air pressure
εᴴ is the efficiency of the airflow through the fan based upon the loss of head
 vc is the expected air velocity there are pros and cons for each configuration; pressure, flow, efficiency, noise,
etc.
ρc is the expected air density Within limits, and excluding efficiencies and losses, almost any throughput can
be achieved with any of the configurations available.
Hc is the expected head
The following is provided to offer some help with your calculations:
Pc is the expected power required to drive air through the outlet casing diffuser
For example; the ebm fan pictured below (Fig 8), calculations show that both
(incl. impeller)
forward and backward-facing (in parenthesis) blades may be configured to
generate similar performance characteristics in a fan of similar dimensions. The
results are not exact because the blade angles, air properties and constants
used by the manufacturer are unknown. CalQlata has been forced to guess the
input data to get as close as possible to the manufacturer's results.

One important thing to remember when designing a fan with forward-facing

blades is that the leading (internal) edge should always be less than 90°.

Whilst it can be difficult to recalculate a manufacturer's working fan if most of

the input data is unknown, it can be reproduced by playing with the blade tip
angles (θᵢ & θₒ).
A little bit of advice; follow the sequence below;
1) set the inside tip angle at 80°,
2) play with the outside tip angle until you achieve reasonable results,
3) fettle both tip-angles (inside and outside) to finalise your results.

The two calculation examples in Fig 8 both took the same time to reproduce
(5-minutes), but the backward-blade calculation was easier to match in the
time allotted.

Note: excessive blade angles in backward facing blades will quickly cause any
fan (and its calculations) to fail; forward facing blade configurations are far
more robust.

Application
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This calculator is suitable as a close approximation (see Accuracy below)
calculation tool for any and all extraction and compression calculations in
atmospheric and/or ducting systems. CalQlata recommends that final design
Fig 7. Air Velocity Diagram (Centrifugal Fans) calculations should be made on the basis of specifications and procedures
recommended by your selected supplier.
Centrifugal Fans (calculation hints)
Accuracy
Fig 7 is a breakdown of air velocities for each of the three available blade
configurations.
Designers with little or no experience with fans should be aware that reliable
output data from Fans is very much dependent upon the accuracy of your input
When planning the design of a centrifugal fan, it is important that you begin by
data. If all input data is correct and accurate, there is no expected error margin
selecting the most suitable blade type for your purposes. As mentioned above,
in the results.
 As can be seen in Fig 8; the following input data produces comparable results
with a data-sheet issued by a prominent manufacturer for one of its fans:
impeller speed: N = 2685 {RPM}
blade inlet angle: θᵢ = 78.5 (79) {°} #
blade outlet angle: θₒ = 134.6 (41) {°} #
impeller inside diameter: Øᵢ = 0.1315 {m}
impeller outside diameter: Øₒ = 0.16 {m}
impeller width: w = 0.0616 {m}
air density at impeller inlet: ρᵢ = 1.2 {kg/m³}
air pressure at impeller inlet: pᵢ = 101325 {Pa}
air temperature at impeller inlet [absolute]: Ṯ = 293 {K}
gravitational acceleration: g = 9.80663139 {m/s²}
specific gas constant (air): Rₐ = 283.5383565 {J/K/kg}
frictional resistance coefficient (air): Cᶠ = 0.14
ratio of specific heats (cp/cv) {air: γ = 1.4226}: γ = 1.4226
number of blades in the impeller: nᵒ = 40
# blade angles: forward facing (backward facing). See Calculations above

Fig 8. Centrifugal fan calculation comparison with manufacturer's data-

sheet
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The minor differences are due to the lack of information available, such as
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blade angles and atmospheric properties, in the data-sheet concerned. These

values have therefore been estimated for the Fans calculation. However, the
results are sufficient to validate Charles Innes' theory, on which Fans is based.

Notes

1. Every manufacturer's product will differ in terms of performance and specification to every other
manufacturer. You should therefore apply the relevant performance specification of your preferred
supplier's product to your final design as opposed to your design requirements.
2. This theory does not like angles of exactly 90°. You should use 89.5° or 90.5° for such an angle