In the world of centrifugal fans and blowers for industrial process applications, “what’s the difference between a fan and a blower” is a trick question. That’s because there actually is no difference at all. That’s right. Whether you need an industrial fan or blower for your operation, the product designs are the same.
How can that be? Well, the truth is that in industrial process operations, a fan or blower is not defined by the impeller style or design itself. Instead, the difference is generally which side of the fan is offering the resistance that the fan must overcome to keep the molecules moving and the process working.
The real answer to the question “what’s the difference between a fan and a blower” is this.
(Side note: There are a few differences between fans and blowers for free-standing commercial and residential applications. We don’t make that kind of product, but you can learn more about those differences here if you’re not using or looking for industrial process fans or blowers.)
To determine whether you need a fan or blower for your operation, think about the function within the application.
If the application requires lower volume and higher pressure, you generally need a forced-draft or pressure blower with volume and pressure focused at the outlet. Applications include burners or combustion air, cooling, and air drying processes, fumes and gas elimination, tempered glass, and other conditioning processes.
When your application calls for other combinations of volume and pressure, you’ll probably be running an induced draft fan with pressure and volume focused at the inlet.
Again, the same products serve as fans or blowers, although of course materials and accessories will vary depending on the application. The basic designs of our fans and blowers include:
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Fans and blowers may seem the same to most people, and at times may be used interchangeably. However, fans and blowers are technically different in terms of their working, structure, function, and applications. But, primarily, both fans and blowers are used for cooling and air circulation either in indoor areas, HVAC systems, or inside industrial machines as well as electronic equipment. Ironically, the term blower fan is also quite widely used, especially when it comes to industrial blower fan. This post discusses the differences between fans and blowers in terms of their working process and structure as well as their industrial applications.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has defined fans and blowers based on their discharge pressure and suction pressure ratio. This way they have also defined compressors, and in a way distinguished between all these three devices. According to ASME, a fan is a device with a pressure ratio of up to 1.11. A blower has a pressure ratio between 1.11 And 1.2. On the other hand, the pressure ratio in a compressor is more than 1.2. Any kind of ventilation device when operational will bring in air and throw out some air which may also comprise dirt, dust, contaminants, and so on. Industrial blower fans may also be subjected to various oils, chemicals, fumes, high temperatures, and so on depending on the industry type. Here, we do a quick comparison of fans and blowers.
The following are a few common types of blowers and fans used across industries.
You may need a fan or blower in case you are a manufacturer of HVAC systems, industrial equipment, computers, and electronic appliances. Whatever may be your requirement, ensure you source them from a reliable manufacturer and supplier, and that they are designed or customized according your specifications.
Sofasco
designs, develops, and manufactures integrated cooling solutions, various types of blowers, AC andDC fans
, and more which can be customized to suit your exact requirement.