Nowadays, ventilation engineering cannot be effective if it does not resort to specific analytical calculation programs.
In the real-world, it is very common to find oversized fans operating under conditions of poor performance, resulting in excessive and unnecessary consumption of electrical energy.
Fan Types
Designed to meet the needs of the air moving industry, including HVAC, our industrial fan software is a dynamic tool that accurately performs sizing of centrifugal fans and blowers, and axial fans.
- Try Centrix software, the advanced centrifugal fan selection & design program. Centrix selects, designs, costs and produces Autocad drawings on the fly.
- Designed to meet the needs of the air moving industry, including HVAC, our industrial fan software is a dynamic tool that accurately performs sizing of centrifugal fans and blowers, and axial fans.
The AxSTREAM ® ’s Axial Compressor/Fan Profiler and Blade Design software module is used to create and edit 3D airfoils (rotors, stators, IGV, OGV) using different profiling modes including MCA, DCA and more. Aerodynamic Design of Low-Speed Axial-Flow Fans. The overview shows that the major achievements in the axial fan design discipline have actually been related to other technological fields, such as marine and aeronautical propulsion, as well as to the development of wind tunnels. At the end of the paper, the reader will have acquired a. The Performance Map Utility in Programs CENCOM and AXCOM The CompAero software system is a suite of 20 centrifugal and axial-flow compressor aerodynamic design and analysis programs for IBM compatible PCs and 32-bit Windows operating systems ('95, '98, 2000, XP). The available programs are.
Centrifugal Fans
- Airfoil
- Backward Curved
- Backward Inclined
- Radial Blade
- Radial Tip
- Forward Curved
- Pressure Blower
Axial Fans
- Propeller
- Tubeaxial
- Vaneaxial
- Variable Pitch
- Mixed Flow
Standards
For the sizing of fans, the programming logic is developed according to engineering concepts homologated by international standards and institutions, such as:
- AMCA - Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.
- ANSI - American National Standards Institute
- ASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
- EUROVENT - Europe's Industry Association
- ISO - International Organization for Standardization
Sizing of the Fan
The correlation functions used to calculate dimensional and physical parameters of each new fan have their origin in the classical theories of fluid mechanics, becoming known as the Fan Laws or Affinity Laws, while the noise predictions are based on acoustic principles and guidelines established by professional organizations.
For better accuracy, the software can also perform calculations and analysis improved by considering Reynolds number, Mach number, compressibility, viscosity and specific heat of the fluid.
Calculations and Analysis
In a highly organized, flexible and friendly environment, the user establishes the design requirements and the software performs all calculations and analysis necessary for sizing of the fan:
- The user provides the design parameters.
- Fluid Type
- Fluid Temperature
- Fluid Density
- Altitude / Elevation
- The software adjusts the parameters in accordance with the fluid properties.
- The software simulates the use of each type and size of fan.
- The software calculates diameter and width of the fan impeller.
- The software calculates the operating rotational speed.
- The software analyzes the performance and suggests the most suitable fans.
- The software generates a selection list with sorting and filtering capabilities.
- The software plots performance curves of the selected fan, such as the following:
- Flow Rate × Static Pressure
- Flow Rate × Total Pressure
- Flow Rate × Power - Brake Horsepower
- Flow Rate × Static Efficiency
- Flow Rate × Total Efficiency
- Flow Rate × Sound Pressure Level - Noise
- Flow Rate × Sound Power Level - Noise
Sound Spectrum
In addition to the aerodynamic requirements, the user can also set the fan installation conditions.
Installation factors significantly influence the sound spectrum of the ventilation system and consequently the level of noise sensed in the environment.
- The user provides information about environmental characteristics and physical components of the ventilation system.
- Noise Directivity
- Inlet and Outlet Ducts
- Acoustic Attenuators
- Acoustic or Thermal Insulation
- Noise Measurement Distance
- The software adjusts the acoustic parameters of the fan in accordance with the operating point.
- The software calculates the acoustic influence of each component of the ventilation system.
- The software generates a noise calculation report for the operating point.
- Fan sound spectrum in octave bands
- Electric motor sound spectrum
- Set sound spectrum: fan + electric motor
- Lastly, the software calculates the noise for the full operating range of the fan and plots its curves.
- Flow Rate × Sound Pressure Level - Noise
- Flow Rate × Sound Power Level - Noise
Real Fluid
Usually, industrial fans are tested using ambient air; and their performance curves are published by manufacturers, conventionally referring to the standard parameters of this fluid at sea level.
In practice, however, most fans use air under adverse conditions, or even another type of fluid, and especially at altitudes other than sea level:
- Hot Air
- Cold Air
- Saturated Air
- Air containing Dust
- Air containing Solvents
- Vapors
- Fumes
- Exhaust Gases
- Corrosive Gases
- Flammable Gases
- Explosive Gases
- Toxic Gases
- etc.
Obviously, the physical properties of these fluids are different:
- Temperature
- Relative Humidity
- Density
- Composition
- Molecular Weight
- Compressibility Coefficient
- Viscosity
- Specific Heat
- etc.
Our software calculates the influence of these variants, adjusts parameters of the fans, and corrects their characteristic curves.
Thus, charts are displayed in a fully correct way, under the actual conditions of the user's application.
Compressibility
In ventilation systems, compressibility is the property of the moving fluid that reduces its volume as a function of the pressure increase resulting from the action of the fan.
Compressibility increases the density of the fluid.
The compression process generates heat which raises the outlet temperature of the fluid and consequently changes its viscosity.
All these variables modify the behavior and efficiency of the fan.
Our industrial fan software has advanced features that calculate and evaluate the influence of compressibility on fan sizing.
Viscosity
Viscosity is the physical property that characterizes the resistance of a fluid to flow.
It represents the internal friction of a moving fluid.
Unlike liquids, the viscosity of gases increases with increasing temperature.
The viscosity of the gases also increases with increasing pressure, but much less significantly.
The increase in viscosity implies an increase in the energy required to make the fluid flow and consequently changes the performance of the fan.
Our industrial fan software has advanced features that calculate and evaluate the influence of viscosity on fan sizing.
Axial Fan Design
Fan Reynolds Number
In fluid mechanics applied to ventilation systems, the Reynolds number can be defined as the ratio of the inertial forces to the viscous forces within the fluid moved by the fan.
The Reynolds number makes it possible to predict whether a flow will occur in laminar or turbulent form.
If the viscous forces are dominant, the flow tends to be laminar.
If the inertial forces are dominant, the flow tends to be turbulent.
Laminar flow is characterized by smooth and constant motion of the fluid.
Turbulent flow is characterized by agitated and chaotic motion of the fluid, with eddies, vortices, backflows and other instabilities.
Therefore, the flow type changes the performance of the fan and consequently its energy consumption and efficiency.
Our industrial fan software has advanced features that calculate and evaluate the influence of Reynolds number on fan sizing.
FEG - Fan Efficiency Grade
Our industrial fan software is also prepared to meet the latest American requirements for fan efficiency classification.
The FEG classification system can be used by government agencies or regulatory bodies around the world to define the energy efficiency requirements of fans used in specific applications.
The FEG is a simple way to indicate the aerodynamic quality of the fan.
While the fan efficiency is a function of the operating point on the performance curve, the FEG is based only on the fan's peak total efficiency.
Similarly, our software also meets efficiency requirements of the European countries that prefer the FMEG classification system - Fan Motor Efficiency Grade.
Normative References:
Axial Fan Blade Design
- ANSI / AMCA 205 - Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans
- ISO 12759 - Efficiency Classification for Fans
Multiple Variable Graphs
In ventilation systems with variable demand, the use of adjustable speed drives is usually the best way to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum energy consumption.
Under such circumstances, it is essential that the designer has a broad view of the behavior of the fan to be selected.
Our software has the most advanced engineering charts with high resolution details, which show characteristic curves throughout the operating speed range of the fans.
Fan Performance Curves
Logarithmic Scale
Electric Motor Database
Since fans and blowers are often driven by industrial electric motors, the software has an extensive database containing data of electric motors from around the world.
IEC
- 11 Types of Degree of Protection
- 2880 Electric Motors
Axial Flow Fan
Fan's Design Setup
In addition to the operating conditions, the software allows the user to set up construction features and choose components for each fan, such as:
- Drive Arrangement ISO - AMCA
- Inlet Box Position - Air Entry ISO - AMCA
- Direction of Rotation and Discharge Position ISO - AMCA
- Motor Position for Belt or Chain Drive ISO - AMCA
- Far Field Sound Directivity Reverberant Room Method
- Optional Accessories Selection Manufacturer
Reports
Once the fan has been selected, the software automatically generates all the engineering reports, datasheets, charts and CAD drawings in several standard paper sizes.
The display and printing of reports use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface:
- Report of Design Data
- Drawing of the Fan Impeller
- Assembly Drawing of the Fan
- Detail Drawing of Shafts and Hubs
- Charts of Performance Curves
- Calculation Report of Sound Spectrum
All of these documents can be easily customized, printed, emailed or exported to formats like:
- PDF - DOC - XLS - JPG - GIF - TIF - PNG - FAX - etc.
Software Settings
As a result of customer demand for more flexible and comprehensive solutions, the software has a host of configuration options that allow the user to customize it to suit his personal wishes and preferences.
Some Configuration Screenshots
1) Hover over thumbnail to view enlarged image. 2) Click on thumbnail to hold enlarged image in place. 3) Click outside thumbnail to hide enlarged image.
GUI - Graphical User Interface
Built with multilingual user interface and an advanced unit converter, our software is fully capable to meet the needs and requirements of any manufacturer in the world, regardless of the volume of its production or the variety of its product range.
Software Tools
- Multilanguage Support
- Units of Measurement and Significant Digits
- History Input Data
- Custom Reports
- Print Preview
- Design Wizard
- CAD Export
How to Purchase
This software is intended exclusively for fan manufacturers, so there is not a version available to individual users.
We make a customized version for each client.
The general guidelines for the implementation of this software are described in the purchasing process of our software solutions.
Get Started
If you wish to start the purchasing process or request more information about our industrial fan software, please contact us. We are able to develop a customized and exclusive version for your company.