Sample Problem:

1. A fan draws 1.42 m3 per second of air at a static pressure of 2.54 cm of

water through a duct 300 mm diameter and discharges it through a
duct of 275 mm diameter. Determine the static fan efficiency if total fan
mechanical is 70% and air is measured at 25 0C and 760 mmHg.
Given:
𝑚3
Q = 1.42 𝑠
hw = 2.54 cm
d = 300 mm
d = 275 mm
ηm = 70%
T = 25 0C
P = 760 mmHg

Required:
ηs = ?

Solution:
𝑃
𝜌𝑎 =
𝑅𝑇

101.325 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝜌𝑎 = 𝑘𝐽
(0.287 𝑘𝑔 𝐾)(25 + 273)𝐾

𝑚3
𝜌𝑎 = 1.184727451
𝑘𝑔
 Solving for Static Head:
ℎ𝑤 𝜌𝑓
ℎ𝑠 =
𝜌𝑎

1𝑚 𝑘𝑔
(2.54 𝑐𝑚 𝑥 )(1000 𝑚3 )
100𝑐𝑚
ℎ𝑠 = 𝑘𝑔
1.184727451 𝑚3

ℎ𝑠 = 21.43953022 𝑚
 Solving for Vs and Vd:

𝑚3
𝑄 1.42 𝑠
𝑉𝑠 = = 𝜋 1𝑚
𝐴𝑠 (300𝑚𝑚 𝑥 )2
4 1000𝑚𝑚

𝑚
𝑉𝑠 = 20.08889059
𝑠
 𝑚3
𝑄 1.42 𝑠
𝑉𝑑 = = 𝜋 1𝑚
𝐴𝑑 (275𝑚𝑚 𝑥 )2
4 1000𝑚𝑚

𝑚
𝑉𝑑 = 23.90744005
𝑠
 Solving for h:
𝑉𝑑 2 − 𝑉𝑠 2
ℎ𝑣 =
2(𝑔)

𝑚 2 𝑚 2
(23.90744005 𝑠 ) − (20.08889059 𝑠 )
ℎ𝑣 = 𝑚
2 (9.81 𝑠2 )

ℎ𝑣 = 8.56280144 𝑚

ℎ = ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑣

ℎ = 21.43953022 + 8.56280144𝑚

ℎ = 30.00233166𝑚
 Solving for ηT :

Ɣ𝑎 𝑄ℎ
𝜂𝑇 =
𝐵𝑃

𝑘𝑔 𝑚 1𝑘𝑁 𝑚3
((1.184727451 𝑚3 )(9.81 𝑠2 )(1000𝑁)(1.42 )(30.00233166𝑚)
𝑠
0.70 =
𝐵𝑃
𝐵𝑃 = 0.7073474155 𝑘𝑊

Ɣ𝑎 𝑄ℎ𝑠
𝜂𝑠 =
𝐵𝑃

𝑘𝑔 𝑚 1𝑘𝑁 𝑚3
((1.184727451 𝑚3 )(9.81 𝑠2 )(1000𝑁)(1.42 )(21.43953027𝑚)
𝑠
𝜂𝑠 =
0.7073474155 𝑘𝑊

𝜂𝑠 = 0.5002168273 𝑥 100
𝜂𝑠 = 50.0217%
Sample problem:
A fan delivers 4.7 m3/s at a static pressure of 5.08 cm of water when
operating at a speed of 400 rpm. The power input required is 2.963 kW. If
7.05 m3/s are desired in the same fan and installation, find the pressure in cm
of water.
Given:
Q1 = 4.7 m3/s
h1 = 5.08 cm of water
N1 = 400 rpm
Pi = 2.963 kW
Q2 = 7.05 m3/s

Required:
h2= ?

Solution:
 Solving for N2:
𝑄1 𝑁1
=
𝑄2 𝑁2

𝑚3
4.7 400 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑠
𝑚3
=
7.05 𝑁2
𝑠

𝑁2 = 600 𝑟𝑝𝑚
 Solving for h2:
ℎ1 𝑁1
= ( )2
ℎ2 𝑁2
5.08 𝑐𝑚 400𝑟𝑝𝑚 2
=( )
ℎ2 600𝑟𝑝𝑚
ℎ2 = 11.43 𝑐𝑚 of water
PROBLEM:
A blower operating at 1500 rpm compresses air from 68°F and 14.7
psia to 10 psig. The desired flow is 1350 cfm and at this point, brake
horsepower is 80 hp. Determine the over-all blower efficiency at design point
if k=1.3395.
GIVEN:
N= 1500 rpm
T1= 68°F
P1= 14.7 psia
P2= 10 psig
v= 1350cfm
BP= 80 hp
k= 1.3395
REQUIRED:
Overall blower efficiency, ŋ𝑜

SOLUTION:
Solving for work using isentropic compression
𝑘 𝑃2 𝑘−1
𝑊= (𝑃1 𝑉1 ) [( ) 𝑘 − 1]
𝑘−1 𝑃1
1.3395 𝑙𝑏 12𝑖𝑛 2 𝑓𝑡 3 1𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑊= [(14.7 2 𝑥 ( ) ] (1350 𝑥 )𝑥
1.3395 − 1 𝑖𝑛 1𝑓𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛 60𝑠
1.3395−1
10 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔 + 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖 1.3395
[( ) − 1]
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎

𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 1ℎ𝑝
𝑊 = 26416.01081 𝑥 𝑙𝑏−𝑓𝑡
𝑠 550
𝑠

𝑊 = 48.0291057 ℎ𝑝

Solving for overall blower efficiency

 𝑊
𝐵𝐻𝑃 =
ŋ𝑜
𝑊
ŋ𝑜 = 𝑥100%
𝐵𝐻𝑃
48.0291057ℎ𝑝
ŋ𝑜 = × 100%
80ℎ𝑝
ŋ𝑜 = 60.03638821%
PROBLEM:
A 50 kW motor is used to drive a fan that has a total head of 110 m. If
fan efficiency is 70%, what is the maximum capacity of the fan?

GIVEN:
BP= 50 kW
HT= 110m
Ŋf= 70%
REQUIRED:
Maximum capacity of the fan, Q
SOLUTION:
For the total air power, TAP
𝑇𝐴𝑃
ŋ𝑓 =
𝐵𝑃
𝑇𝐴𝑃 = (ŋ𝑓 )(𝐵𝑃)
𝑇𝐴𝑃 = (0.70)(50𝑘𝑊)
𝑇𝐴𝑃 = 35𝑘𝑊

Using the density of air at 21.2°C, 𝜌𝑎 = 1.20029845 kg/m3

𝑇𝐴𝑃 = 𝛾𝑄𝐻𝑇 ; 𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔
𝑇𝐴𝑃
𝑄=
𝜌𝑔𝐻𝑇
35000𝑊
𝑄= 𝑘𝑔 𝑚
1.200029845 𝑚3 (9.81 𝑠2) (110𝑚)

𝑚3
𝑄 = 27.02802454
𝑠
A fan described in a manufacturer’s table is rated to deliver 500 m 3/min at a
static pressure (gage) of 254 cm when running at 250 rpm and requiring 3.6
kW. If the fan speed is changed to 305 rpm and air handled were at 65℃
instead of standard 21℃, find the power in kW.

Given:

N1 = 250 rpm

N2 = 305 rpm

T1 = 21℃

T2 = 65℃

Required:

P2

Solution :

At 305 rpm and 21℃;

P1 N1
= ( )3
P2 N2

3.6kW 250 rpm 3

=( )
P2 305 rpm

P2 = 6.5370528kW

At 305 rpm and 65℃;

P
ρ=
RT
ρ1 𝑃⁄𝑅𝑇1
=
ρ2 𝑃⁄𝑅𝑇2

BP1 ρ1 𝑇2
= =
BP2 ρ2 𝑇1
6.5370528kW 65 + 273𝐾
=
P2 21 + 273 𝐾

P2 = 5.686075512kW

The volume of flow of air delivered by fan is 20 m3/sec and 180 mm water
gage. The density of air is 1.185 kg/m3 and the motor power needed to drive
the fan is 44 kW. What is the efficiency?

Given:

h = 180 mm

𝑄 = 20 m3/sec

ρ = 1.185 kg/m3

MP = 44 kW

Required:

Fan efficiency (𝜂)

Solution:
1000 kg⁄m3
ℎ𝑠 = 0.18m(1.185 kg⁄m3)

ℎ𝑠 = 151.8987342m

Solving for Air Power;

Air Power = γQh

Air Power = (1.185 kg⁄m3 × 0.00981 × 200 m3 ⁄s × 151.8987342m)

Air Power = 35.316kW

 Air Power
𝜂=
Motor Power
35.316kW
𝜂=
44kW
𝜂 = 0.8026363636 × 100%

𝜂 = 80.26363636%

A fan whose static efficiency is 40% has a capacity of 60,000 ft 3/hr at 60°F
and barometer of 30 in Hg and gives a static pressure of 2 in of water column
on full delivery. What size of electric motor should be used to drive the fan?

Given:

𝑒𝑠 = 40%

𝑓𝑡 3
𝑄 = 60,000
ℎ𝑟
𝑇 = 60°𝐹

𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 30 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑔

ℎ𝑤 = 2 𝑖𝑛

Required:

𝐻𝑝

Solution:

ℎ𝑤 Ɣ𝑤
ℎ𝑠 =
Ɣ𝑎
1 𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑏
(2 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 ) (62.4 )
12 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑡 3
ℎ𝑠 =
Ɣ𝑎
 𝑙𝑏
10.4 𝑓𝑡 2
ℎ𝑠 =
Ɣ𝑎

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = Ɣ𝑎 𝑄ℎ
𝑙𝑏
𝑓𝑡 3 1 ℎ𝑟 10.4
𝑓𝑡2
Ɣ𝑎 (60,000 ) (60 𝑚𝑖𝑛) ( )
ℎ𝑟 Ɣ𝑎
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑓𝑡−𝑙𝑏
33,000
𝑚𝑖𝑛
1 ℎ𝑝

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 0.3151515152 ℎ𝑝

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑢𝑠𝑒 1 ℎ𝑝 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 (𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑)

Air is flowing in a duct with velocity of 7.62 m/s and static pressure of 2.16 cm
of water gauge. The duct diameter is 1.22 m, the barometric pressure 99.4
kPa and the gage fluid temperature and air temperature are 30°C. What is the
total pressure against which the fan will operate in cm of water?

Given:
𝑚
𝑣 = 7.62
𝑠
ℎ𝑤 = 2.16 𝑐𝑚

𝑑 = 1.22 𝑚

𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 99.4 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝑇 = 30°𝐶

Required:

Solution:

𝑣2
ℎ𝑣 =
2𝑔

𝑚 2
(7.62 )
𝑠
ℎ𝑣 = 𝑚
2 (9.81 )
𝑠2

ℎ𝑣 = 2.959449541 𝑚
 𝑃
Ɣ=
𝑅𝑇
99.4 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Ɣ= 𝑘𝐽
(0.287 ) (30 + 273𝐾)
𝑘𝑔𝐾

𝑘𝑔
Ɣ = 1.143041133
𝑚3
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑘𝑔
1.143041133 𝑚3
ℎ𝑣 = 2.959449541 𝑚 ( 𝑘𝑔 )
1000 𝑚3

ℎ𝑣 = 3.382772558𝑥10−3 𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

ℎ𝑣 = 0.3382772558 𝑐𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

ℎ = ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑣

ℎ = 2.16 𝑐𝑚 + 0.3382772558 𝑐𝑚

ℎ = 2.498277256 𝑐𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
1. Air enters a fan through a duct at a velocity of 6.3 m/s and an inlet static

pressure of 2.5 cm of water less than atmospheric pressure. The air

leaves the fan through duct at a velocity of 11.25 m/s and a discharge

static pressure of 7.62 cm of water above the atmospheric pressure. If

the specific weight of the air is 1.20 kg/m 3 and the fan delivers 9.45

m3/sec, what is the fan efficiency when the power input to the fan is 13.75

kW at the coupling?

GIVEN:

𝑚
𝑣𝑠 = 6.3
𝑠

𝑚
𝑣𝑑 = 11.25
𝑠

ℎ𝑠 = 2.5 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑑 = 11.25 𝑐𝑚

𝑘𝑔
𝑤 = 1.20
𝑚3

𝑚3
𝑄 = 9.45
𝑠
REQUIRED:

Fan Efficiency

SOLUTION:

ℎ = ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑣

𝑃𝑑 −𝑃𝑠 𝑣𝑑 2 −𝑣𝑠 2
ℎ=( )+( )
𝑤 2𝑔

𝑚 2 𝑚 2
0.0762 𝑚 − (−0.025 𝑚) (11.25 ) − (6.3 )
𝑠 𝑠
ℎ=[ 𝑘𝑔 ] (1000) + [ 𝑚
]
1.20 2 (9.81 )
𝑚3 𝑠2

ℎ = 88.76108563 𝑚

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑤𝑄ℎ

𝑘𝑔 𝑚3
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = (1.20 3 𝑥 0.00981) (9.45 ) (88.76108563 𝑚)
𝑚 𝑠

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 9.874262475 𝑘𝑊

𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝐹𝑎𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑃𝐼𝑁

9.874262475 𝑘𝑊
𝐹𝑎𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
13.75 𝑘𝑊

𝐹𝑎𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 71.812818%

2. A fan is listed as having the following performance with standard air:

Volume Discharge - 120 m3/s

Speed – 7 rps

Static Pressure – 310 mm water gage

Brake Power Required – 620 kW

The system duct will remain the same and the fan will discharge the same volume of

120 m3/s of air at 93oC and a barometric pressure of 735 mm Hg when its speed is 7

rps. Find the brake power input and the static pressure required.

REQUIRED:

Brake power input

Static pressure

SOLUTION:

𝑘𝑔
For standard air, 𝑤 = 1.2 𝑚3

Solving for the density at 93oC and 735 mm Hg

𝑃
𝑤=
𝑅𝑇

101.325 𝑘𝑃𝑎
735 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 ( 760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 )
𝑤= 𝑘𝐽
0.287 (93 + 273)
𝑘𝑔−𝐾

𝑘𝑔
𝑤 = 0.9328834256
𝑚3
Using Fan Laws:

𝑤
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = ( ) (𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑)
𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑟

𝑘𝑔
0.9328834256 𝑚3
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = ( 𝑘𝑔 ) (620 𝑘𝑊)
1.20 𝑚3

𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 481.9897699 𝑘𝑊

𝑤
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = ( ) (𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒)
𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑟

𝑘𝑔
0.9328834256 𝑚3
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = ( 𝑘𝑔 ) (310 𝑚𝑚)
1.20 𝑚3

𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 240.9948849 𝑚𝑚

At 1.2 kg/m3 air density, a fan develops a brake power of 100kW. If it operates at

98Kpa and 32oC with the same speed, what is the new brake power of the fan?

Given: w1=1.2 kg/m3

BP1=100kW

P=98Kpa

T=32oC

Required: BP2

Solution:
 Solving for the new air density,

P 98Kpa
w2  
RT (0.287 kJ / kg - K) (32 + 273)K
w2  1.1195kg / m 3

Solving for the new brake power of the fan,

BP2 w2

BP1 w1
BP2 1.1195kg / m 3

100kW 1.2kg / m 3
BP2  93.29kW

A fan has a suction pressure of 30mm water vacuum with air velocity of 3m/sec. The

discharge has 150mm of water gage and discharge velocity of 7m/sec. Determine the

total head of fan if air density is 1.2 kg/m3.

Given: hw1= 30mm = .03m

vs= 3m/sec

hw2= 150mm = .15m

vd= 7m/sec

da= 1.2 kg/m3

Required: Total head of fan

Solution:
Solving for static head,

(hw2  hw1 )d w
hs 
da
(0.15m  (0.03m))1000kg / m 3
hs 
1.2kg / m 3
hs  150m

Solving for velocity head,

v  vs
2 2

hv  d
2g
(7 m / sec) 2  (3m / sec) 2
hv 
2(9.81m / sec 2 )
hv  2.038m

Solving for the total head of fan,

h  hs  hv
h  150m  2.038m
h  152.038m
1. A certain fan delivers 340 m3/min of air at a static pressure of 25.4 mm of water

gage when operating at a speed of 400 rpm and requires an input of 3 kW. If in the

same installation 425 m3/min of air are desired, what will be the new static pressure

in terms of mm of water and Fan power required?

Given:

Q1 = 340 m3 /min

hs1(water) = 25.4 mm, gage

N1 = 400 rpm

BP1 = 3 kW

Q2 = 425 m3 /min

Required:

hs2(water) and BP2

Solution:

a.) Solving for hs2(water)

From Fan Laws for Variable Motor Speed, Constant fan size and air density

Q2 N2 h2 N2 2
= and =( )
Q1 N1 h1 N1

h2 Q2 2
so we can rewrite it as, =( )
h1 Q1

hs2(water) Q2 2
=( )
hs1(water) Q1

2
hs2(water) 425 m3 /min
=( )
25.4 mm 340 m3 /min
 𝐡𝐬𝟐(𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫) = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟔𝟖𝟕𝟓 𝐦𝐦, 𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞

b.) Solving for BP2

From Fan Laws for Variable Motor Speed, Constant fan size and air density

Q2 N2 BP2 N2 3
= and =( )
Q1 N1 BP1 N1

BP2 Q2 3
so we can rewrite it as, =( )
BP1 Q1

3
BP2 425 m3 /min
=( )
3 kW 340 m3 /min

𝐁𝐏𝟐 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟓𝟗𝟑𝟕𝟓 𝐤𝐖

Sample Problem:

1. Find the air horsepower of an industrial fan that delivers 25 𝑚3 /𝑠 of air through

900 𝑚𝑚 by 1200𝑚𝑚 outlet. Static Pressure is 127 𝑚𝑚 of water gage and air density is

1.18 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3.

Given: 𝑄 = 25 𝑚3 /𝑠

𝐴 = 0.9 𝑚 𝑥 1.2 𝑚

𝑃𝑠 = 127𝑚𝑚

𝜌 = 1.18 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Required: Air Power in Hp

 Solution:

𝑄 25 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑣=𝐴 ; 𝑣=
0.9 𝑚 𝑥 1.2 𝑚

𝑣 = 23.14814815 𝑚/𝑠

𝑣2 (23.14814815 𝑚/𝑠)2
ℎ𝑣 = 2𝑔 ; ℎ𝑣 = 2(9.81𝑚/𝑠2 )

ℎ𝑣 = 27.31074224𝑚

𝑘𝑔3
𝑝𝑤 1000
𝑚
ℎ𝑠 = ℎ𝑤 ( 𝑝 ) ; ℎ𝑠 = 0.127𝑚 ( 𝑘𝑔3
)
𝑠 1.18
𝑚

ℎ𝑠 = 107.6271186𝑚

ℎ = ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑣 ; ℎ = 107.6271186𝑚 + 27.31074224𝑚

ℎ = 134.9378609𝑚

𝐴𝑖𝑟𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝛿𝑄ℎ

𝑘𝑔3 𝑚3
𝐴𝑖𝑟𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = (1.18 𝑚 ) (0.00981) (25 ) (134.9378609𝑚)
𝑠

1ℎ𝑝
𝐴𝑖𝑟𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 39.05034226 𝐾𝑊 𝑥 (0.746𝐾𝑊)

𝑨𝒊𝒓𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = 𝟓𝟐. 𝟑𝟒𝟔𝟑𝟎𝟑𝟐𝟗 𝒉𝒑

2. The total head of fan is 225𝑚 and has a static pressure of 250𝑚𝑚 of water gage,

what is the velocity of air flowing if density of air is 1.15 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ?

Given: ℎ = 225𝑚
 𝑃𝑠 = 250𝑚𝑚

𝜌 = 1.15 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Required: Velocity

Solution:

𝑝
ℎ𝑠 = ℎ𝑤 ( 𝑝𝑤 )
𝑠

𝑘𝑔3
1000
𝑚
ℎ𝑠 = 0.25𝑚 ( 𝑘𝑔3
)
1.15
𝑚

ℎ𝑠 = 217.3913043𝑚

ℎ = ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑣

225 = 217.3913043𝑚 + ℎ𝑣

ℎ𝑣 = 7.6086957𝑚

𝑣2
ℎ𝑣 = 2𝑔

𝑣2
7.6086957𝑚 = 2(9.81𝑚/𝑠2 )

𝒗 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟐𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟐𝟔𝟐𝟕 𝒎/𝒔