[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

JOB#09 To determine the characteristics of axial Fans with regard

to the variation of pressure, power consumption and efficiency with
quantity passed by the fan.
OBJECTIVE:
To study the fan characteristics curve.

REQUIRED APPARATUS:
Mine ventilation educator
Cistern-type mercury barometer

RELATED THEORY:
Mine ventilation educator:
Mine ventilation educator is device used to study the behavior
of different air flow. As we study in the previous lab we see how mis-alignment of Pitot static tube affects the head. We can measure the velocity head static head of air flow. So it is
very useful instrument to made students learn about axial air flows.

PROCEDURE:
Connect one inclined manometer to the inlet pressure tapings to measure inlet
pressure drop (Pi).

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Connect a 2nd inclined manometer to the static Pressure (Ps) tapings situated around
the large diameter section upstream of the fan inlets.
(Note: For measurements of Ps taken at high resistances, it may be necessary to replace the
2nd inclined manometer with the vertical manometer.)

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Complete the tables of results. Due to difference in areas between the duct and the fan
inlets, fan velocity pressure can be calculated using formula :

= (

.
) K
.

Pi

Fan total pressure is the sum of fan static pressure Ps and Pvf. For single fan operation
or

two similar fans working in series, the total pressure of fan is given by

Ptf = +
Evaluate the air volume flow rate ( Q ) passed by fan is given by

Q = 0.0934.

Air power of air watts is found by

Pa = Ptf x Q

( N/m2.m3/s =Nm/s = W)

Evaluate the volt-amperes input to the motor thus:

Motor Input = Voltage x Current

(VA)

Using the motor calibration determine the motor output in watts from their input in
VA. Fan efficiency is determined by

x 100

(%)

Draw graph of performance characteristics, plotting Ptf , Air watts and fan efficiency
against Q.

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

PART (E): FAN # 3 RUNNING SINGLY:

Note the atmospheric pressure and temperature during each experiment.

RATING TABLE:

Motor Input (VA)

550
575
600
625
650
675
700

Motor Output = Fan Input (W)

350
355
360
365
370
375
380

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Atmospheric pressure=742 mm of Hg
Atmospheric temperature=19
K=0.865642/3(from previous lab work)

READING#1:
EXPERIMENTAL VALUES:
Inlet pressure=Pi=85Pa
Static pressure=Ps=240Pa
Motor current=I=2.5A
Motor voltage=230-V

=?
3

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

= 0.427.B/ (273 + t)
B=742mm of Hg
T=19
=

0.427 742
273 + 19

= 1.085

kg
m3

CALCULATIONS:
1. FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE:

Pvf = (
Pvf = (

0.290 2
) K
0.305

Pi

0.290 2
) 0.865642 85
0.305

= .
2. FAN TOTAL PRESSURE:
= +
= 240 + 66.52
= .
3. QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW:
K.Pi

Q = 0.0934.

Q = 0.0934.

0.865642 85
1.085

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Q=0.769

4. AIR POWER (WATTS):

Pa = Ptf x Q

(W)

Pa = 306.52 x 0.769
Pa =235.71 W
5. MOTOR INPUT:
Motor Input = Voltage x Current
Motor Input = 230 x 2.5

(VA)

Motor Input=575 (VA)

So from the above table:
Motor output=355 W
Fan input=355 W

6. EFFICIENCY:
=
=

235.71
355

x 100

x 100
(%)

=66.40 (%)

READING#2:
EXPERIMENTAL VALUES:
5

(%)

(VA)

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Inlet pressure=Pi=70Pa
Static pressure=Ps=275Pa
Motor current=I=2.55A
Motor voltage=230-V

CALCULATIONS:
1. FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE:

Pvf = (
Pvf = (

0.290 2
) K
0.305

Pi

0.290 2
) 0.865642 70
0.305

= .
2. FAN TOTAL PRESSURE:
= +
= 275 + 54.78
= .
3. QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW:
K.Pi

Q = 0.0934.

Q = 0.0934.
Q=0.70

0.865642 70
1.085

4. AIR POWER (WATTS):

6

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Pa = Ptf x Q

(W)

Pa = 329.78 x 0.70
Pa =230.84 W
5. MOTOR INPUT:
Motor Input = Voltage x Current
Motor Input = 230 x 2.55

(VA)

(VA)

Motor Input=586.5 (VA)

INTERPOLATION:

575

355

586.5

600

360
600 586.5 360
=
586.5 575 355
13.5 360
=
11.5 355

So on calculation:
X=357.30
So
Motor output=357.30 W
Fan input=357.30 W

6. EFFICIENCY:
7

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

=
=

230.846
357.30

x 100

x 100

(%)

(%)

=64.60 (%)
READING#3:
EXPERIMENTAL VALUES:
Inlet pressure=Pi=32Pa
Static pressure=Ps=300Pa
Motor current=I=2.45A
Motor voltage=230-V

CALCULATIONS:
1. FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE:

Pvf = (
Pvf = (

0.290 2
) K
0.305

Pi

0.290 2
) 0.865642 32
0.305

= .
2. FAN TOTAL PRESSURE:
= +
= 300 + 25.04
= .

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

3. QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW:

K.Pi

Q = 0.0934.

Q = 0.0934.
Q=0.472

0.865642 32
1.085

4. AIR POWER (WATTS):

Pa = Ptf x Q

(W)

Pa = 325.04 x 0.472
Pa =153.42 W
5. MOTOR INPUT:
Motor Input = Voltage x Current
Motor Input = 230 x 2.55

(VA)

(VA)

Motor Input=563.5 (VA)

INTERPOLATION:

550

350

563.5

575

355
575 563.5 355
=
563.5 550 350

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

11.50 355
=
13.5
350
So on calculation:
X=352.70

So
Motor output=352.70 W
Fan input=352.70 W

6. EFFICIENCY:
=

153.42
352.70

x 100

x 100 (%)

=43.50 (%)
READING#4:
EXPERIMENTAL VALUES:
Inlet pressure=Pi=25Pa
Static pressure=Ps=330Pa
Motor current=I=2.55A
Motor voltage=230-V
CALCULATIONS:
1. FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE:

10

(%)

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Pvf = (
Pvf = (

0.290 2
) K
0.305

Pi

0.290 2
) 0.865642 25
0.305

= .
2. FAN TOTAL PRESSURE:
= +
= 330 + 19.56
= .
3. QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW:
K.Pi

Q = 0.0934.

0.865642 25

Q = 0.0934.
Q=0.417

1.085

4. AIR POWER (WATTS):

Pa = Ptf x Q

(W)

Pa = 349.56 x 0.417
Pa =145.77 W
5. MOTOR INPUT:
Motor Input = Voltage x Current
11

(VA)

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Motor Input = 230 x 2.55

(VA)

Motor Input=586.5 (VA)

INTERPOLATION:

575

355

586.5

600

360
600 586.5 360
=
586.5 575 355
13.5 360
=
11.5 355

So on calculation:
X=357.30

So
Motor output=357.30 W
Fan input=357.30 W

6. EFFICIENCY:
=
=

145.77
357.30

x 100

x 100 (%)

=40.76 (%)
READING#5:

12

(%)

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

EXPERIMENTAL VALUES:
Inlet pressure=Pi=20Pa
Static pressure=Ps=340Pa
Motor current=I=2.5A
Motor voltage=230-V

CALCULATIONS:
1. FAN VELOCITY PRESSURE:

Pvf = (
Pvf = (

0.290 2
) K
0.305

Pi

0.290 2
) 0.865642 20
0.305

= .
2. FAN TOTAL PRESSURE:
= +
= 340 + 15.65
= .
3. QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW:
K.Pi

Q = 0.0934.

Q = 0.0934.
Q=0.373

0.865642 20
1.085

13

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

4. AIR POWER (WATTS):

Pa = Ptf x Q

(W)

Pa = 355.65 x 0.373
Pa =132.657 W
5. MOTOR INPUT:
Motor Input = Voltage x Current
Motor Input = 230 x 2.5

(VA)

(VA)

Motor Input=575 (VA)

So from the above table:
Motor output=355 W
Fan input=355 W

6. EFFICIENCY:

132.657

355

x 100

x 100

(%)

(%)

=37.37 (%)
CALCULATION TABLE:
No

Static

Moto

Moto

Fan

Fan

Of

Inlet

Press

Velocit

Total

Scr

Pressu

ure

Curr

Volta

Pressu

een

re

ent

ge

Pressur

re

14

Air

Motor

Motor

Efficie

Watts

Input

Outpu

ncy

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Ps

Pi

Pvf

Ptf
Pa

Pa

Pa

Amp

Pa

85

240

2.5

230

66.52

306. 0.76
52

70

275 2.55 230

54.78

329. 0.70
78

32

300 2.45 230

25.04

325. 0.47
04

25

330 2.55 230

19.56

349. 0.41
56

20

340

2.5

230

15.65

355. 0.37
65

CHARACTERISTIC CURVE:

15

Pa

VA

VA

235.

575

355

66.40

230.

586.

357.

64.60

84

30

153.

563.

352.

42

70

145.

586.

357.

77

30

132.

575

355

71

43.50

40.76

37.37

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

Comments:
This job was quite interesting .with the help of this job we are able to draw the
characteristics curves of axial flow fan. These curves are very important because from
this curve we come to know either this device will fulfill our requirement are not. If
the characteristics curved are provided we can calculate the operating point.
From table we can see that as the inlet pressure decreases the values of velocity
pressure also decreases.
By decreasing inlet pressure and increasing static head efficiency of axial fan will be
reduced.
16

[MINE VENTILATION LAB] 2011-MIN-60

By decreasing inlet pressure and increasing static head quantity of airflow will be
reduced.

17