Centrifugal blowers : Introduction

A centrifugal blowers that functions similarlity to a centrifugal pump is shown in figure 1. Air enters the center opening in the housing in an axial direction, then the blades of the rotating impeller forces the air radially outward, resulting in an increase in kinetic energy. As the high velocity air enters the volute shaped portion of hte housing, some of the kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy for provideing the increased pressure necessary to deliver air to the external system. Figure 1b shows the impeller, which contains eight flat-shaped, radial blades. This particular design can handle flow rates up to 3600 cfm and static pressure up to 20 in. of water.

Figure 1 Centrifugal blower (Courtesy of American Fan Co. Fairfield Ohio)