Raise gas pressure; axial and centrifugal types.
Fans move air at small pressure rises (<10 kPa), compressors raise gas pressure significantly. Types: axial, centrifugal, reciprocating, screw. Fan laws like pumps. Compressor work reduced by intercooling; surge and choke limit operation.
A cooling fan delivering 1 m³/s at 500 Pa needs at least 500 W.
Fans and compressors raise gas pressure, so their choice sets the power and efficiency of ventilation and industrial air supply.
Raise gas pressure; axial and centrifugal types.
Fans and compressors raise gas pressure, so their choice sets the power and efficiency of ventilation and industrial air supply.
Fans raise pressure only slightly, while compressors raise it much more and are designed for higher pressure ratios.
They give high flow in a compact size and handle higher pressure rises than simple axial designs, although efficiency varies with design.
Typical applications include selecting an axial fan for a warehouse ventilation system, choosing a centrifugal compressor for a plant air supply and sizing a blower for a cooling tower with a pressure requirement.
Study "Turbines" first (topic 66 of 105 in Thermodynamics & Fluids). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Fan static pressure. Compressor maps. Isentropic vs polytropic efficiency.
A cooling fan delivering 1 m³/s at 500 Pa needs at least 500 W.
The next topic is "Dimensional analysis in fluids", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Intermediate in Thermodynamics & Fluids (topic 67 of 105). It is an intermediate topic. Work through the beginner topics in Thermodynamics & Fluids first.
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