High-Temperature Fans & Blowers
AirPro // Applications
High-Temperature Centrifugal Fans & Blowers for Industrial Applications
Many industrial processes rely on high-temperature process heat, including operations such as heat treating, stress relieving, and the use of industrial furnaces and ovens. These processes often use convection to circulate heated air within a chamber, requiring specialized airflow solutions that can withstand extreme conditions.
High-temperature centrifugal fans are specifically engineered to handle process airstreams at elevated temperatures—sometimes up to 1800°F. Selecting the right fan depends on your specific pressure and airflow requirements, but one constant remains: using a fan not designed for high-temperature applications can lead to catastrophic failure, costly downtime, and equipment damage.
As AirPro expert explains, “Regardless of the operating temperature, every industrial fan is subject to fatigue and, therefore, has a finite life. A fan failure can result in damages that are far in excess of the cost of the actual fan. Understanding the limitations of the fan, operating within the fan’s design limits, and following a preventive maintenance plan are the best insurance against a catastrophic failure.” (From Process Heating Magazine, March 2017)
Primary Industries for High-Temperature Centrifugal Fans
High-temperature centrifugal fans are essential in industries where reliable airflow under extreme heat is critical. AirPro’s rugged, custom-engineered fans deliver consistent performance and durability in the most demanding high-temp environments.
High-Temperature Centrifugal Fan Applications Include:
- Aluminum Furnaces
- Annealing Ovens
- Atmosphere Furnaces
- Batch Type Furnaces
- Bell Furnaces
- Car Bottom Furnaces
- Cover & Base Furnaces
- Continuous Belt Furnaces
- Continuous Furnaces
- High-Temperature Exhausts
- Homogenizing Furnaces
- Low-Temperature Ovens
- Nitriding Furnaces
- Pusher Furnaces
- Stress Relief Ovens & Furnaces
- Roller Hearth Furnaces
- Thermal Treatment/Tempering
- Tip-Up Furnaces
Selecting and Specifying High-Temperature Centrifugal Fans
High-temperature process airstreams require specially designed high-temperature centrifugal fans.
High-Temperature Fan Models Commonly Used
Forward Curved Fan
Also known as “squirrel-caged fans,” they generally designed to move high volumes of air at low static pressures, this high temperature fan can use several wheel designs and integrate with various materials that are appropriate for the specific operating temperature.
Paddle Wheel
The radial Paddle Wheel Fan moves not only air but also material at medium-to-high static pressures. This heavy-duty centrifugal fan is able to move heavy, sticky, and abrasive materials through the airstream without compromising the integrity of the wheel.
Backward Inclined Fan
The backward inclined fan minimizes interference with the airflow. It offers lower sound levels and energy costs and includes a non-overloading horsepower design for low-pressure applications.
High-Temperature Fan Arrangements
Fan Arrangements indicate how the motors mount to and drive the fans. The specification will depend on your application and the fan(s) selected. Here are three examples:
Arrangement 1 – Belt Drive with an overhung impeller. The fan and motor mount separately to a unitary base.
Arrangement 2 – Plug Fan with insulated cavity between wheel and chamber wall exterior to match insulation thickness of chamber wall. Belt driven.
Arrangement 8 – Direct Drive with an overhung impeller. The fan shaft is directly coupled to the motor shaft with a flexible coupling.
High-Temp Fan Accessories & Design
Proximity to and processing of high temperatures and possibly corrosive gasses requires careful design and customization to handle the extremes.
Accessory & Design Considerations for High-Temperature Fan Applications:
- Stainless steel airstream alloys including 304, 316, 2205, 625 (Inconel), C276, and many more
- Custom shaft seals to separate internal hot gas from external ambient conditions
- Bearings and motors that are isolated from the process
- Flex Connectors to accommodate shifting during rapid temperature change
- Spring Vibration Isolators to protect the fan from excessive vibration
- Inlet Vane Damper, Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), Outlet Damper, or a combination for volume and pressure control
- Inlet Box if space is tight for the ductwork
- Vibration and temperature sensors to monitor bearing and fan health and prevent unplanned outages
- Split Housing for easier maintenance access to the fan wheel and shaft
- Proper installation and maintenance to ensure safe startup and operations
Talk with Our High-Temp Application Engineers
If you feel overwhelmed by all this information, don’t despair! We have a team of application engineers who are happy to talk with you and select the best fan for your application. You can call 715-365-3267, email fans@airprofan.com, or send us your information, and one of our engineers will connect with you.
