Radial fans are actually centrifugal fans with backward curved blades, meaning the blades are designed to curve away from the direction in which they rotate. A centrifugal fan is designed to move a significant amount of air, but also cool a large space. Because air is displaced radially, meaning the direction of the airflow changes about 90-degrees, a centrifugal fan is often referred to as a radial fan.
Common Applications
Due to the design of centrifugal fans, they are also called blowers and squirrel cages. In addition to air, these fans can move other gasses. Of all fans on the market, centrifugal fans are the most widely used. These fans are commonly used as part of the HVAC industry for transporting materials or gas; however, they are also commonly used in building ventilation systems, for air pollution control systems, and in industrial processes.
Radial vs Axial Fan
When looking at a radial vs axial fan, you will see differences in design, which yields different results. Centrifugal fans have a fan wheel and a series of blades that mount to a circular hub. These fans move air radially, which means that the direction of flowing air changes, usually 90-degrees from the direction of incoming air. Since the flow of air produced is directed through tubes or ducts as part of the system, it has more pressure than an axial fan. To support the greater airflow pressure, centrifugal fans must have a higher input of power.
As for how radial fans work, air is drawn in around the axis on which the blades are located, while forcing air out in the same direction. The rate or airflow with this type of fan is higher than a centrifugal fan, meaning that the volume of airflow is greater. The difference is that, while a centrifugal fan produces high-pressure air, the radial fan maneuver results in low-pressure air. For that reason, it requires a lesser amount of power input.
Because there is a distinct difference between a centrifugal fan and an axial fan, it is important to choose the fan best suited to its desired purpose. For example, due to the low pressure but high volume airflow produced by an axial fan, axial fans are typically used for cooling tight spaces, such as copy machines and computers. On the other hand, centrifugal fans produce high pressure, making them ideal for air conditioning and drying systems.
At NISCO, we provide the industry with state-of-the-art fans. You can visit our website to see the various products or contact a company representative to discuss your specific needs.
