Objectives
INDUSTRIAL FAN TECHNOLOGY TRACK
CONTEXT
The fan industry is undergoing a revolution, as empirical fan technology gives way to industrial turbomachinery technology derived from the aerospace industry. The legislative and commercial pressure fan manufactures face is relentless, driving the development of the technology employed in a continuous quest for improved capability at reduced cost. The ability to innovate more rapidly then competitors, developing and applying new technology is the driver underpinning competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive world.
Following on the success of the 2004 and 2008 Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) fan technology conferences, the track dedicated to fan technology provides an opportunity to follow the progress achieved by manufacturers and institutions in the development and implementation of new technology for improved fan efficiency, and the impact of that technology on fan design. The track considers the issues associated with legislation and regulation, and the issues associated with compliance. Operation and maintenance is covered, as are developments in motors and drives, fans for critical cooling applications, plant enhancement and upgrading and the impact of system effect on fan performance.
TOPICS
Fan design for improved efficiency
Fan efficiency is closely linked to the technology employed in both the fan design and manufacturing process. The advent of new materials and processes has facilitated an ongoing improvement in the efficiency of fan designs.
Impact of technology on fan design
The ultimate efficiency of a fan is closely linked to the ability of the designer to manage the trade-off between aerodynamic and mechanical aspects of the fan design. The application of new technology to the design of fans therefore plays a key role in the improvement in fan efficiency.
Compliance with legislation and regulations
Legislative and regulatory pressures are significantly higher at this time than has been the historic norm within the fan industry, and a driver for development of new technology within the fan industry.
Operation and maintenance aspects
A shift to maintenance-on-demand in a quest to minimise plant down-time and in so doing maximise availability has resulted in a shift towards more design-for-maintenance and increasingly sophisticates condition monitoring systems.
Motors and drives
Efficiency, affordability and reliability of the motors used to drive fans are critical, with motors the subject of efficiency legislation and drives becoming more effective as the technology they employ matures.
Critical fans for cooling applications
Fan intended for cooling applications play a critical role in both performance and safety of the systems with which they are associated. The challenges posed by their design, development and validation continue to present designers with an on-going challenge.
Plant enhancement and upgrading
The enhancement and upgrading of existing plant and equipment, at least partly driven by constantly evolving legislative and regulatory requirements presents its own unique set of challenges, associated with working within the constraints of an existing system.
Fans and system effect
As the performance of fans and there associated systems is improved, their susceptibility to the effects associated with the systems within which they are installed increases. The method by which system effect on fans may be assessed and minimised is a distinct area of competence that had developed rapidly over recent years.
