Industrial Air Scrubber Fans & Blowers
Durable fans designed for saturated, corrosive gas streams laden with contaminants.
AirPro // Applications
Centrifugal Fans for Industrial Scrubber Applications
Industrial scrubbers are essential for air pollution control, removing hazardous gases and particulates to comply with EPA Clean Air Act standards. At the heart of every system, the centrifugal fan moves contaminated air through the scrubber for treatment and safe exhaust.
Because operations depend on it, the fan must be highly reliable, efficient, and resistant to corrosive airstreams. Fan specifications are determined by airflow volume, gas chemistry, and pressure requirements.
Primary Industries for Industrial Air Scrubbers
Pollution control is required across many industries that produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) as byproducts of their operations. Industries commonly using scrubbers include:
- Agricultural processing
- Food & beverage processing
- Glass manufacturing
- Marine & maritime transportation
- Metals & mining
- Oil & gas production & refining
- Pulp & paper
- Wastewater treatment
Industrial Scrubber Fan Technology Selection & Specification
Scrubber fans must do more than move air—they must keep contaminated gas contained and under pressure until cleaned for safe release. Proper selection ensures compliance, safety, and uptime.
Fan designs commonly used on scrubbers:
- Industrial Exhauster Paddle Wheel
(IEPW / IEFB) - Industrial Exhaust Air Handling
(IEAH) - Radial Tipped
(RTHS, RTMS)
Each fan must be matched to process requirements, with attention to corrosion resistance, gas-tight sealing, and durability in demanding environments.
Wet vs. Dry Scrubber Applications
Scrubber design has a direct impact on fan performance requirements:
Wet Scrubbers:
- Use water or chemical mist to capture gases and particulates.
- Target contaminants include NH₃, HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, NaCl, CO₂.
- Fans must withstand saturated, corrosive air, requiring stainless steel construction (304SS, 316SS, Duplex Stainless, or higher strength stainless alloys) and proper sealing.
Dry Scrubbers (DSI / SDA):
- Inject alkaline powders or slurries into exhaust streams.
- Neutralize SO₂, HF, HCl, and other acidic gases.
- Fans must handle dry, abrasive airstreams and maintain pressure under fluctuating loads.
In both cases, selecting the right fan materials and design is critical. A poor match can cause early failure, costly downtime, or non-compliance with emissions regulations.
Talk with Our Team to Find the Best Fit for Your Scrubber Application
FEATURED FAN
Exhaust Fans for Copper Mine Air Scrubber System
AirPro engineered and built two heavy-duty industrial exhaust fans for a Dry Flue Gas Desulfurization (SDR) system—an air scrubber application—at a U.S. copper mine. Designed to withstand corrosive conditions, all parts in contact with the airstream were constructed of 316 Stainless Steel, including all fan accessories, ensuring long-term durability and reliable performance in a harsh environment.
Air scrubbers play a critical role in mining operations by removing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and other contaminants from exhaust streams, protecting air quality and meeting strict environmental compliance standards. These fans deliver the high static pressure and airflow performance required for the scrubbing process, while maintaining reliability under continuous duty.
- Product Type: IEAH (industrial exhauster)
- Description: Class 45, Arr. 1W, 150ºF max temp design
- Performance: 18,600 CFM @ 30″ wg static pressure
- Features: Custom-designed; 150 HP motor; unitary base; sound insulation jacket; 316SS APIC; 360° inlet box; manual outlet damper; inlet and outlet flex connectors; continuous-duty VIV damper with 120v actuator; custom paint; CW & CCW rotation
Air Scrubber Fan & Blower Arrangements, Accessories, & Design
Industrial scrubber fan arrangements commonly used:
In industrial air scrubber applications, fan arrangements indicate how the motors mount to and drive the fans. Industrial scrubbers can use both direct drive and belt drive options, with the choice depending on available space, performance requirements, and ease of maintenance. In fact, nearly any arrangement can be applied, but three stand out as the most common for scrubber systems:
Arrangement 8
Direct drive with an overhung impeller. The fan shaft is directly coupled to the motor shaft with a flexible coupling.
Arrangement 1
Belt drive with an overhung impeller. The motor mounts separately to a unitary channel base, sized to accommodate larger motors
Arrangement 9
Belt drive with an overhung impeller. The motor mounts to the side of the fan pedestal rather than a unitary base to save space.
Many scrubber systems also require a combustion air blower to supply air to the burner. Learn More
Fan design & accessory considerations for industrial air scrubbers:
When it comes to design and accessories, it’s all about protecting and optimizing operations, maintenance, and life of the fan and bearings. In industrial scrubber applications, we often recommend:
Features:
- Leak-Tight Construction – with upgraded shaft seal and gaskets prevents VOCs and hazardous gases from escaping into the facility or atmosphere—essential for Clean Air Act compliance.
- Stainless Components – materials such as 304SS, 316SS, Duplex Stainless, or higher grade stainless alloys are typically required to keep the fan from corroding in toxic airstreams.
- EPDM Rubber Expansion Joints – for durable, flexible connections at scrubber inlets and outlets, reducing stress and extending system life
- Precision Balanced – final trim balance maintained at ≤0.124 in/sec (filter-in) at full operating speed, ensuring lower vibration for longer fan and bearing life.
Accessories:
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) – for additional speed control and operating efficiency
- Vibration and Temperature Sensors – to monitor bearing and fan health in real time, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime
Connect with an Industrial Air Scrubber Expert
Our experienced application engineers are ready to help you find the right fan. Whether you’re replacing an existing unit or designing a new system, we’ll make sure you get a solution that fits your specs, timeline, and budget.
Call, email, or submit your info to get started and our team will respond quickly.
