IQS Newsroom Articles on Air Blowers
Air Blowers
Air blowers, or
industrial blowers, are blower systems that provide air and gas movement in ventilation, circulation and drying applications. Air blowers are used in industrial, manufacturing, commercial and retail settings to ventilate, circulate, cool and dry. Air blowers reduce heat levels in factory operations; moisture in bathrooms, greenhouses, gyms and spas; smoke and odors in cooking and processing applications, and gaseous fumes in chemical and oil manufacturing facilities. By reducing harmful emissions and purifying the air, air blowers offer improved facility conditions, improved worker health and a higher level of comfort. Air blowers can also refresh or lower air temperatures in cooling applications. A wide spectrum of industries use air blowers for various ventilation, air purifying, conveying and drying applications, including agricultural, photography, automotive, food processing, packaging, pulp and paper, printing, welding and textile manufacturing industries.
Air blowers are made using one of two main designs: radial or axial. Air currents are generated from circulating blades which direct flow based on their aforementioned designs. Air blowers are generally AC powered or gas powered. The power source can either be located inside of the air blower's central hub, the point on an air blower's wheels from which the fan blades extend, or mounted directly behind it. The air blower is typically contained within a housing unit, in which air is drawn into inlet of the air blower housing through the wheel then forced out into the plenum, which is the airway through which air is forced out of the air blower's output. Construction materials for air blowers include durable plastics, metals or a combination of both. Mounting brackets or flanges can be used to mount air blowers on roofs, ceilings, walls or panels. In addition, the size variance between air blowers for various applications can be immense: large, self-contained air blower systems are only used in large manufacturing or air circulation applications; and portable air blowers are much smaller and are transportable from place to place for use in temporary circulation or air transfer, such as at construction sites or when cleaning up spills and water damage.
Air blowers are essential in many manufacturing processes and facility air pollution control systems, as well as many other drying and finishing processes. Air blowers provide healthier areas through the reduction of odors, air pollution, contamination and smoke, and they may also provide environmental benefits through a decrease in heat and humidity levels. Air blowers are available in many configurations of velocity, pressure, airflow direction and speed. When choosing an air blower, manufacturers and facility managers consider the environmental conditions, pressure levels and surface areas of the application. Air blowers are classified based on how the fan is constructed; three classes were developed and are recognized by the Air Movement and Control Association. In most cases, larger class numbers correlate to greater performance and cost of purchase. This classification is not required by the government of all blowers, so other functional and reliable blowers may be classified under other rating systems and standards.