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Fan Horsepower equation derivation 3
- Thread starter wilg
- Start date
KHilgefort
Mechanical
I usually see this figure in terms of eff = (volume flowrate in cfm) X (pressure in inches of water) / 6356 / (brake horsepower).
R.A. Wallis in "Axial Flow Fans" similarly puts the equation as Shaft h.p. = (5.2) X (in. water) X (cu. ft/min) / (33,000 X efficiency).
If you convert the horsepower units to ft-lb/min (33,013 per hp) and convert the pressure to lb/ft^2 (5.202 per inch H2O), you get 33013/5.202 = 6346. This at least gets you to a dimensionless value for the efficiency.
R.A. Wallis in "Axial Flow Fans" similarly puts the equation as Shaft h.p. = (5.2) X (in. water) X (cu. ft/min) / (33,000 X efficiency).
If you convert the horsepower units to ft-lb/min (33,013 per hp) and convert the pressure to lb/ft^2 (5.202 per inch H2O), you get 33013/5.202 = 6346. This at least gets you to a dimensionless value for the efficiency.
The efficiency to get bhp is fan efficiency, not motor efficiency. A good apporoximation for fan efficiency is 0.65
For pumps
bhp = (gpm x ft wg TDH)/(3960 x eff)
Here alse 0.65 is a good approximation for pump efficiency.
On projects we HVAC engineers have to give electrical loads to the Elect Engineer on the project. We use the above formula + guick estimate from experience of pressure drops to come up with motor hp. We want to be safe at the initial stage so we always pick mhp conservatively. Later on as plans are developed, actual pressure drops are calculated & fans/pumps are selected on actual fan/pump curves.
For pumps
bhp = (gpm x ft wg TDH)/(3960 x eff)
Here alse 0.65 is a good approximation for pump efficiency.
On projects we HVAC engineers have to give electrical loads to the Elect Engineer on the project. We use the above formula + guick estimate from experience of pressure drops to come up with motor hp. We want to be safe at the initial stage so we always pick mhp conservatively. Later on as plans are developed, actual pressure drops are calculated & fans/pumps are selected on actual fan/pump curves.
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1
- #4
There are two mistakes in your equation. First one, as suggested by lilliput, it is fan efficiency you have to use to get bhp. Secondly you can omit specific gravity as this is inbuilt in the equation.
1HP = 33000 ft-lbf/min = 33000 (cuft/min)x(lbf/sq.ft)
and 1 inch. wc = 5.192 lbf/sq.ft (this is where sg is included)
therefore, 1 HP = 33000 (cu.ft/min)x inches wc/5.192
which gives, 1HP = 6356 cfm x inches wc
So fan BHP = cfmx dp across fan/(6356xeff. blower)
PS: I HP is the amount of power required to lift a weight of 76 kgs to a height of 1 meter in 1 second. I don't know exact definition in IP units but you can convert to get the above said value.
Regards,
1HP = 33000 ft-lbf/min = 33000 (cuft/min)x(lbf/sq.ft)
and 1 inch. wc = 5.192 lbf/sq.ft (this is where sg is included)
therefore, 1 HP = 33000 (cu.ft/min)x inches wc/5.192
which gives, 1HP = 6356 cfm x inches wc
So fan BHP = cfmx dp across fan/(6356xeff. blower)
PS: I HP is the amount of power required to lift a weight of 76 kgs to a height of 1 meter in 1 second. I don't know exact definition in IP units but you can convert to get the above said value.
Regards,
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- #5
You guys should go metric then you get rid of all these odd constants. Fan power in kW is simply:
Flow cu.m/s X pressure kPa (kilopascals) / Fan efficiency.
It should be noted that this ignores compressibility effects as does the English unit equations that have been referenced.
KHilgefort: I have been looking for a copy of R.A.Wallis "Axial Flow Fans" which is now out of print. Let me know if you are prepared to sell yours.
Flow cu.m/s X pressure kPa (kilopascals) / Fan efficiency.
It should be noted that this ignores compressibility effects as does the English unit equations that have been referenced.
KHilgefort: I have been looking for a copy of R.A.Wallis "Axial Flow Fans" which is now out of print. Let me know if you are prepared to sell yours.
Have you tried to do a used book search?
TTFN
TTFN
FredT's comment is not totally correct. We do require some conversion, but a simple one.
We generally speak of Pascals when we deal with fans and we do require a conversion factor to convert Pa to kPa or from Watts to kW. Still, if one insists about measuring fan pressure in kPa we will end up with gauges as big as the fans themselves![[wink]](/data/assets/smilies/wink.gif "[wink] [wink]")
.
Question: Is Tower of Babel a possibility?
Regards,
We generally speak of Pascals when we deal with fans and we do require a conversion factor to convert Pa to kPa or from Watts to kW. Still, if one insists about measuring fan pressure in kPa we will end up with gauges as big as the fans themselves
.Question: Is Tower of Babel a possibility?
Regards,
- Thread starter
- #10
Dear fredt,
Please see the following link, to get the R.A.Wallis book
Regards,
KMPillai
Please see the following link, to get the R.A.Wallis book
Regards,
KMPillai
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