Difference Between Axial and Centrifugal Fans

There are a lot of conversations regarding “axial fans vs centrifugal fans”. It is not like one is better than the other overall. The thing is, that there are specific situations in which you might prefer industrial axial fans. In other cases, you will opt for centrifugal fans, like as a centrifugal extractor fan for a flexible extraction arm.

There are a couple of key differences between both, which we are happy to underline for our customers in this piece of content. So, without further ado, let’s continue debating on the topic “axial fans vs centrifugal fans”.

Industrial Axial Fans

Probably, the most used type of fans, axial fans are good at transporting large volumes of air from one point to another. The motor within the fan is rotating the blades. This motion creates a flow of air, which is parallel to the axial of the motor. From this comes the name “Axial fans”. The suction created from the movement of the blades creates kinetic energy, which helps the process. This kinetic energy removes some of the pressure on the blades, making the fan work more efficiently. The pressure within the system equals itself out. Meaning that the excess pressure is always equal to the negative pressure. There is a method through which you can increase the excess pressure a bit and that is by using diffusers.

The “Achilles heel” of axial fans is that they are not able to build up pressure. On the other hand, they are cheap and easy to install. One more con for industrial axial fans is that they could be quite noisy in higher speeds of operation. It depends on the type of facility you are using them in as noise pollution could be an issue in some applications and is completely disregarded in others.

Whenever you need a low-pressure, high-volume flow you need to consider an industrial axial fan. Such flow is great for cooling spaces, such as homes or office buildings. It’s also great for cooling equipment such as computers and the motors of different machines.

Axial fans pros and cons

Pros

• Low price;
• Moves large volumes of air;
• Lighter;
• Smaller;
• Lower energy consumption.

Cons

• Noisy in high speeds;
• Low pressure.

These are just highlights of the most important characteristics.

Centrifugal Fans

Centrifugal fans are also called “blowers”. This name comes because of the high-pressure flow they are able to create. The blades in centrifugal fans are mounted around a circular hub. The motion within this hub pulls the air inside, then the pressure is increased and the air is pushed at a 90-degree bend outside the fan. The higher pressure makes centrifugal fans a preferred option for when air must be transported with a single fan through a long system of ducts or tubes. This higher pressure, however, comes at the cost of air volume, higher market price, and higher consumption of energy.

Another perk of centrifugal fans would be that the blades are enclosed, making them more resilient to damage from solid particles sucked in with the airflow. This makes centrifugal fans preferred for working in harsh conditions. As a matter of fact, this type of fans is largely used to transport air in mines, where there are dust and casual debris from rocks and minerals in the air.

Centrifugal fans pros and cons

Pros

• Durable;
• High pressure.

Cons

• Expensive;
• Heavy;
• Bulky;
• High energy consumption.

These are just highlights of the most important characteristics.

Note: It is of keen importance to mention that there are hybrid options on the market, suitable for specific applications.

You most likely still have a lot of questions about what type of fans you should choose for your system. Well, it all depends on the end results you seek and the conditions and/or regulations you have to meed. Why don’t you rely on the expertise of our friendly staff by the phones? They most likely have the answers to your questions. Reach them at 01455 616444 and they can not only help you choose the right product, but they will also arrange your delivery.