The impact of an anti-stall stabilisation ring on industrial fan performance: Implications for fan selection

This paper describes work aimed at establishing the ability of an industrial fan to operate in the event of stall, with and without an anti-stall "stabilisation ring" fitted to the fan casing. The research establishes the aerodynamic characteristics of a 2.24 meter diameter 190 kW fan with and without the stabilisation ring. It also measures the fan's peak stress in both stable and stalled conditions, thus facilitating discussion of the implications of the experimental results for industrial fan design methodology. The paper then presents three different strategies for industrial fan selection in applications where the selected fan will most likely stall. The first strategy selects a fan with a low blade angle that is "none stalling". The second strategy selects a fan with a high pressure developing capability. The third strategy selects a fan with a fitted stabilisation ring. System designers each have their favoured industrial fan selection strategy. However, all three strategies can produce a system design within which an industrial fan performs reliably inservice. The paper considers the advantages and disadvantages of each fan selection strategy and concludes with a brief assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each. Copyright © 2011 by ASME.