Side channel blowers
The Functionality of Side Channel Blowers
A side channel blower transports air or gas by rotating a fan with many blades through a close narrow fitting pump house at high speed. The pressure in the channel is intensified by a turbulent stream in the radial channel. By using this method, the side channel blower is able to build a great differential pressure between in- and outlet. The burden on the drive increases as the built-up pressure, depending on the system resistance, increases. With this principle, the side channel blower is applicable in a great capacity range with pressure differences of up to 700 mbar or 70 kPa. The drive is usually an asynchronous squirrel cage motor. This motor is assembled with various other components of the side channel blower. The motor shield on the drive end is a combined part with the one half of the pump house. There are also models with coupling or a V-belt drive. For more information about this, please visit the product page about remote drive side channel blowers.
Typical Characteristic Side Channel Blowers
The flow of side channel blowers decreases when the pressure increases. The required power at the shaft and the discharge temperature increases simultaneously. Hence, the maximum performance of the side channel blower is limited due to the motor power and the maximum acceptable discharge temperature. Usually the manufacturer specifies the nominal motor load, the maximum pressure and acceptable ambient temperature. This enables the continuous admissible operating area at a set frequency to be framed in the datasheet of the side channel blower.
Speed Control with Side Channel Blowers
Energy consumption can be optimized and the operating area substantially expanded with speed control. In many applications, a set pressure at a variating capacity or flow will be eligible. With simple pressure regulation, the capacity can be adjusted according to the requirements. A PID function is integrated in many frequency drives. Directly driven side channel blowers with an asynchronous squirrel cage motor will be RPM controlled with a frequency drive, also called a frequency converter. This enables both the frequency and the voltage to be controlled by manual input, a controller system or a communication bus. It is also possible to obviate a great part of the motor protection with a frequency drive. A frequency drive with IP55 or IP66 housing won't need encasing. Without encasing the number of system components is limited to the minimum, the installation simplified and cooling problems are avoided. Ask our sales team for more information.
The working area of a frequency drive is framed through restrictions of the side channel blower. To ensure a proper functionality under all circumstances, it is important that all frequency characteristics are based on stabilized working points. Heating caused by compression will influence the performances of the side channel blower considerably. Within the range of stabilized frequency characteristics, you will have a constant and sustainable functioning that avoids resonance (surge and stall). The extensive Dutair documentation contains frequency characteristics of flow, temperature and power based on stabilized working points. The flow characteristics are expressed in Nm3/h with high accuracy. This enables you to be assured about the performance with speed control. You can find the Dutair data sheets on the product pages 'Dutair Side Channel Blowers', 'ATEX Blowers' and 'Remote Drive Side Channel Blowers'.
Applications of Side Channel Blowers
- Aeration of fluids
- Dry blowing
- Vacuum lifting
- Point suction
- Sealing air
- Blowing material
- Aeration of biological processes
Links Side Channel Blowers
