What is the difference between centrifugal fan and axial fan in the field of glass processing?

In the field of glass processing, the core of the application difference between centrifugal fan and axial fan stems from the difference of wind pressure and air volume characteristics caused by their different structural principles, as well as the different requirements of "air flow transportation and environmental control" in various links of glass processing (such as high-temperature melting, dust removal and clean coating). The following three aspects, namely, core characteristics, adaptation scenarios and key differences, clarify the application differences between them in glass processing:

First, the comparison of core characteristics: the fundamental differences that determine the direction of application

The core difference between centrifugal fan and axial fan lies in the "air movement mode", which directly leads to the significant difference in wind pressure, air volume and installation mode, and then adapts to different processing scenes:

Contrast dimension centrifugal fan axial fan

Air flow principle Air enters from the axial direction of the fan, generates centrifugal force through the rotation of the impeller, and is discharged along the radial direction (perpendicular to the shaft), and the air flow direction turns 90. Air enters from the axial direction of the fan, is pushed by the impeller and is discharged along the axial direction (parallel to the shaft), and the air flow direction does not change.

Wind pressure characteristics The wind pressure is high (usually 1000-15000Pa, and some high-pressure models are higher), which is suitable for "overcoming pipeline resistance and long-distance transportation". The wind pressure is low (usually 50-1000Pa), which is suitable for "no pipe/short pipe, close ventilation".

Air volume characteristic The air volume is relatively stable, and it is less affected by pipeline resistance, so it is suitable for the scene where the air volume needs to be accurately controlled. The air volume is large, but it will decrease obviously with the increase of pipeline resistance, which is suitable for "large space and low resistance" ventilation.

Most of the installation methods are horizontal installation, which requires supporting piping systems (such as dust removal pipes and smoke exhaust pipes), occupying a large space. Most of them are vertical/wall-mounted, which can directly open holes in the wall/roof without complicated pipes, saving space.

The noise level is moderate and high (70-95dB). Due to the turning of airflow and the high-speed rotation of impeller, noise reduction measures (such as silencer) are needed. Medium and low noise (50-80dB), smooth airflow direction, lower noise than centrifugal fans with the same power.

Second, differences in specific application scenarios in the field of glass processing

Combined with the requirements of "high temperature, dust, cleanliness, anti-corrosion" in glass processing, the application scenarios of the two are completely staggered, and there is no obvious substitution relationship:

1. Centrifugal fan: adapted to the core processing link of "high resistance and high requirements"

Because of its high wind pressure and strong anti-interference, centrifugal fan is mainly used in the key link of "overcoming pipeline resistance and handling special media (high temperature/dust/corrosion)" in glass processing, and is the core equipment to ensure production compliance and efficiency;

Glass melting/annealing process:

It is used to discharge high temperature flue gas (300-1200℃) from the tank kiln and acid waste gas from the annealing furnace-it needs to pass through a long-distance pipeline (from the kiln to the chimney/waste gas treatment equipment), and there are dust (quartz sand particles) and acid gas in the pipeline. The high wind pressure of the centrifugal fan can overcome the pipeline resistance, and its casing/impeller can be made of heat-resistant steel (310S), glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and other materials to meet the requirements of resistance.

Dust removal of glass cutting/edging/sandblasting;

Used for collecting glass dust generated by cutting/edging-it needs to pass through the dust suction port of the pipeline docking equipment, and the dust needs to be filtered by a dust collector (such as a pulse bag dust collector). The high wind pressure of the centrifugal fan can ensure that "the dust is stably sucked into the pipeline, and the suction force can be maintained even if the filter bag of the dust collector has resistance" (such as a high-pressure centrifugal fan and a pulse dust removal integrated fan).

Cooling link of coating machine:

Roller cooling for Low-E coating machine-cooling air needs to be transported to the precision roller through pipelines, and the air volume and air pressure need to be accurately controlled (to avoid coating defects caused by uneven cooling), and the air volume stability of centrifugal fans can meet the requirements (such as clean centrifugal fans without volute).

2. Axial flow fan: it is suitable for the ventilation/heat dissipation link of "low resistance and auxiliary".

Because of its low wind pressure and easy installation, axial fans are mainly used in the scene of "no pipeline/short pipeline, auxiliary ventilation and heat dissipation" in glass processing, and are mostly used as "supplementary equipment":

General ventilation in workshop:

It is used for air replacement in glass deep processing workshops (such as cutting workshops and insulating glass laminating workshops)-the workshop has a large space without long pipes, and the axial flow fan can be directly installed on the wall/roof to quickly discharge the dust odor in the workshop and replenish fresh air (such as anti-corrosion clean axial flow fan to avoid glass dust and slightly corrosive gas from damaging the fan).

Local heat dissipation of equipment:

Used for motor heat dissipation of insulating glass gluing machine and glass drilling machine-the equipment itself does not need high wind pressure cooling, and the axial flow fan can blow directly at the heat dissipation part, with simple installation and low noise, without affecting peripheral operations (such as small axial flow fan).

Auxiliary ventilation in clean workshop:

Used for auxiliary ventilation of coating workshop-The main ventilation of coating workshop depends on clean centrifugal fan, and axial flow fan can be used as a supplement to provide low noise and small-scale air flow in the workshop (such as operation area) to avoid excessive local temperature (it is necessary to choose clean axial flow fan without dust accumulation to prevent dust from polluting glass).

III. Summary of Key Differences: Three Core Selection Basis

When choosing two kinds of fans in glass processing, we can quickly judge them through the following three dimensions:

Do you need long pipes/overcome resistance?

It is necessary to extend the pipeline (such as smoke exhaust pipe and dust removal pipe), overcome the resistance of equipment (such as dust collector and cooling system) → choose centrifugal fan;

No pipes/short pipes (such as direct exhaust in workshop and local heat dissipation of equipment) → choose axial flow fan.

Whether to handle special media:

Treating high temperature (> 300℃), dust (glass dust) and corrosive gas (annealing furnace so) → selecting centrifugal fan (heat-resistant/anticorrosive material can be customized);

Handle normal temperature and clean air (such as workshop ventilation and equipment heat dissipation) → choose axial flow fan (conventional material is enough).

Is it necessary to accurately control the air volume?

Need to stabilize the air volume (such as coating cooling and dust collection) → choose centrifugal fan (the air volume is less affected by resistance);

Only need to "ventilate in a large space", there is no requirement for air volume accuracy → choose axial flow fan (sufficient air volume and low cost).

summary

To put it simply: in glass processing, centrifugal fan is the "main equipment", which is responsible for solving the "difficult" requirements such as high-temperature smoke exhaust, dust collection and precision cooling; Axial flow fan is an "auxiliary equipment", which is responsible for "low resistance" requirements such as workshop ventilation and local heat dissipation. The two have a clear division of labor to jointly ensure the compliance and efficiency of glass processing.