DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Fan similarity laws

a) The volume flow rate or capacity (Q) of a fan is directly proportional to the fan speed (N) and cube
of the impeller (D).

Q ∞ N ∞ D3

Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2
= and 3 = 3
N1 N2 ( D1 ) ( D2 )

It also be written as

Q1 Q2
3 = = constant
N 1 ( D1 ) N 2 ( D 2 )3

b) The total pressure developed by a fan ( PTF 1) is directly proportional to the square of the fan speed (
N 2), square of the impeller diameter ( D2), density of the air ( Pa).

PTF 1∞ N 2 ∞ D2 ∞ Pa

PTF 1 PTF 2 PTF 1 PTF 2 P TF1 P TF2

2 = 2 and 2 = 2 also =
( N1) ( N2) ( D1 ) ( D2 ) Pa 1 Pa 2

It also be written as

PTF 1 PTF 2
2 2 = 2
2 = constant
( N 1 ) ( D 1 ) P a 1 ( N 2 ) ( D 2) P a 2

It also applicable for fan static pressure ( PSF ) and fan velocity pressure ( PVF ). H is total head
developed. The total pressure developed by the fan,

PTF = Pa H

Pa 1 H 1 Pa 2 H 2
2 2 = 2 2
( N 1 ) ( D 1) Pa 1 ( N 2 ) ( D 2) P a 2
Or
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

H1 H2
2 2 = 2 2 = constant
( N 1 ) ( D 1) ( N 2 ) ( D 2)

c) The power (P) of a fan is directly proportional to the cube of the fan speed ( N 3), fifth power of the
impeller diameter ( D 5) and density of the air ( Pa).

P 1∞ N 3 ∞ D 5 ∞ P a

P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2
3 = 3 and 5 = 5 also =
( N1) ( N2) ( D1 ) ( D2 ) Pa1 Pa2

Or

P1 P2
3 5 = 3 5 = constant
( N 1 ) ( D 1) Pa 1 ( N 2 ) ( D2 ) Pa 2
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Question 1

A fan delivered 9000 litres/s of standard air at a pressure of 700 pa at a fan speed of 450 rpm and a
power input of 13 Kw. If the flow rate is increased to 13 000 l/s by increasing the rotation speed,
calculate
a) The speed
b) Input power
c) Static pressure

Q 1= 9000 litres/s Q 2 = 13 000 l/s

PTF 1= 700 pa
N 1= 450 rpm
P1= 13 Kw

Answer 1
a) The speed

Using formula
Q1 Q2 b) Input power
=
N 1 N2
Using formula
Where P1 P2
3 = 3
Q 1 = air volume 1 ( N1) ( N2)
Q 2 = air volume 2
N = fan speed P1 N1 3
=⌈ ⌉
P2 N2
9000 450
=
13000 N 2 3
450
9 N 2 = 5850
P 2= [ ] 650
13

= 39 KW
5850
N2 =
9
= 650 rpm
c) Static pressure

Using formula
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

2 2
P TF1 N 1 700 450
=
P TF2 N 2 [ ] = [ ]
P TF2 650
= 1460 pa

Question 2

A fan of diameter 0.7 m running at 1500 rpm delivered 140 m 3 /min of air at 15°C against 75 mm of
water of total pressure when its total efficiency is 86%. Determine the volume of air delivered, total
pressure developed and power consumed, if
a) The air temperature is 60°C,
b) The air temperature is 60°C and the fan speed is increased to 1800 rpm
c) The air temperature is 60°C , the fan speed is increased to 1800 rpm and 0.6 m diameter similar fan
is used.

Answer 2

Find the ratio of the densities at temperature 15°C and 50°C.

Pa 1 = density of air at 15°C

Pa 2 = density of air at 50°C

RATIO 1: ????

For constant barometric pressure, the densitiy of air at 50°C.

273+t 1
Pa 2 = Pa 1
( 273+t 2 )
Pa1 273+t 2
Pa2
= ( 273+t 1 )
=( 273+50
273+15 )

Pa 2 = 1.12
Pa 1 =1
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Answer 2 (a)

i. volume of air delivered (Q 2)

formula

Q1 Q2
3
=
N 1 ( D1 ) N 2 ( D 2) 3

There is no change in speed or diameter, so

Q2 = Q1

= 140 m 3 /min

ii. total pressure developed ( PTF 2)

formula

P TF1 P a P P TF
= @ TF1 =1 2

P TF2 P a Pa 1 2
Pa 2

Pa
PTF 2 = PTF 1 x 2

Pa 1

1.12
= 75 x
1
= 84 mm of water x 9.81
= 824 pa

iii. power consumed ( P2)

formula

1
P2 = Q 2 x PTF2 x
ᶙ

1
= 140 x 824 x
0.86

= 134139 m 3 /min

= 134139/ 60

= 2235.65 W
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Answer 2 (b)

i. Volume of air delivered (Q 3)

Using formula

Q3 Q2
=
N3 N2

N3
Q3 = Q2 x
N2

1700
= 140 x
1500

= 158.7 m 3 /min

( N 2 = N 1)
ii. Total pressure developed ( PTF 3)

Using formula

PTF 3 PTF 2
2 = 2
( N3) ( N2)
2
N3
PTF 3 = PTF 2
( )
N2

2
1700
= 824 ( 1500 )
= 1058 pa

iii. Power consumed ( P3)

Using formula

P3 P2
3 = 3
( N3) ( N2)
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

3
N3
P3 = P2 ( )
N2

3
1700
= 2235.65 ( 1500 )
= 3254 W

Answer 2 (c)

i. Volume of air delivered (Q 3)

Using formula

Q4 Q3
3 = 3
( D4 ) ( D3 )
3
D
Q4 = Q3 4
D3 ( )
3
0.6
= 158.7 ( )
0.7

= 99.94 m 3 /min

ii. Total pressure developed ( PTF 4)

Using formula

PTF 4 PTF 3
2 = 2
( D4 ) ( D3 )
2
D4
PTF 4 = PTF 3
( ) D3

2
0.6
= 1058 ( ) 0.7

= 777 pa

iii. Power consumed ( P4 )

DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

P4 P3
5 = 5
( D4 ) ( D3 )
5
D4
P4 = P 3
( ) D3

5
0.6
= 3254 ( ) 0.7

= 1505.5 W

Question 3

A fan for the ventilation plant is to be exported to an area where the air density is 0.96 kg/ m 3 and is
scheduled to deliver 6 m 3 /s against a static pressure of 50 mm of water with a static efficiency of 65%. If
it is driven by a constant speed motor, calculate the static pressure and shaft power in the maker’s work
where the air density is 1.2 kg/m 3.

Answer 3

a) Static pressure ( Ps )

Formula

P TF PTF
1 2
=
P a 1 Pa 2
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Pa2
PTF = PTF x
2 1
Pa1

1.2
= 50 x
0.96

= 62.5 mm of water ( 1 mm of water = 9.81 N / m 2)

= 62.5 x 9.81
= 613 N /m 2

b) Shaft power

The speed (N) and diameter of impeller (D) is constant, therefore from the relation

Q1 Q2
3
=
N 1 ( D1 ) N 2 ( D 2) 3

We get,

Q 1 = Q 2 = 6 m 3 /s

Static fan air power ( Pw s )

Pw s = Q x PTF 2

= 6 x 613
= 3678 pa @ W ( 1 pa @ N-m/s =1 w)
Shaft power

static fanair power , Pw s

=
static efficiency , ᶙ s

3678
=
0.65

= 5660 w @ 5.66 Kw
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Question 4
A Fan-duct system is designed so that when the air temperature is 20°C, the mass flow rate is 25,000
kg/hr when the fan speed is 800 rpm and the fan motor requires 8 kW. A new set of requirement is
imposed on the system: the operating air temperature is changed to 50°C, and the fan speed is
increased so that the same mass flow of air prevails. Calculate the revised fan speed and power
requirements.

Answer 4

Pa P1
1
@
Pa 2
P2
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

Calculate the air density

273+t 1
Pa 2 = Pa 1
( 273+t 2 )
Pa1 273+t 2
Pa2
= ( 273+t 1 )
= ( 273+50
273+20 )

Pa 2 = 1.10
Pa 1 =1

1. To find the required change in speed

N 1 N2
=
P a 1 Pa 2

1.1
= 800 x
1

= 880 rpm

2. To find the required change in power

P1 P2 8 P2
3 = 3 3 =
( N1) ( N 2 ) ( 800 ) ( 880 )3

880 3 P
8 ( )
800
= 2
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

10.65 kw = P2

Other way

P1 P2 8 P2
3 = 3 3 =
( Pa 1 ) ( Pa 1 ) ( 800 ) ( 880 )3

1.1 3 P
8 ( )
1
= 2

10.65 kw = P2

Question 5

A centrifugal fan with wheel diameter of 925 mm and an outlet area of 0.77 m 2 runs at 700 rpm
consuming 5.2 hp and gives a volume rate of 4.25 m 2 / s with a total pressure rise of 71.1 mm of a water.
The temperature of air is 0°C and the pressure is 1.01325 bar.

i) Assume sharp power efficiency 0.746, calculate

a) Fan power
b) Fan efficiency
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

ii) If air temperature increased to 35°C and barometric pressure is 85 kpa, calculate
a) Fan total pressure
b) Fan power requirement

iii) Estimate the total pressure capacity and power requirement when the speed is increased to 1000
rpm.

Answer 5 (i)

Calculate the total pressure (∆P)

= 71.1 x 9.81 Calculate the sharp power
= 697.5 pa = 5.2 hp x 0.746
= 3.879 Kw

a) Fan power

Using formula
Qv ( ∆ P )

Wheres
Q v = volume rate

= 4.25 (697.5)
= 2.964 Kw

b) Fan efficiency

Formula

fan power
sharp power
2.964
= 3.879

= 76.4%

Answer 5 (ii)
a) Fan total pressure (FTP)

273+T 1 P2
FTP = ∆P ( 273+T 2 )( )
P1

273+0 85
= 697.5 ( 273+35 )( 101.325 )
DCB40153 – AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY /NBS JUN 2021

= 517.8 pa

b) Fan power requirement (FPR)

273+T 1 P2
FRP = fan power
( 273+T 2 )( )
P1

273+0 85
= 2.964 ( 273+35 )( 101.325 )
= 2.204 kW

Answer 5 (iii)

a) Total pressure capacity

Qv 1 Qv 2
=
N1 N2

N2
Qv 2 = QV 1 ( )
N1

1000
= 4.25
700

= 6.07 m3 /s

b) Power requirement (P)

3
N2
w2 = w1
( )N1

3
1000
= 5.2 hp ( 700 )
= 15.16 hp