Although CFE Technology’s special focus is on high-tech solutions using variable-pitch axial-flow fans, the company has also applied its engineering expertise to the development of high-performance centrifugal fan solutions, typically in the power range from 500kW to 4000MW drive power.

CFE Technology’s centrifugal fans are designed for optimum performance, even under harsh conditions. These fans not only perform effectively in clean air applications, but their heavy-duty construction makes them ideally suited for installation in challenging environments such as contaminated gas, high-temperature, and high-pressure applications.

The company’s centrifugal fans also incorporate design features that keep operating costs to a minimum, including:

Variety of blade design

CFE Technology mainly offers blade types as airfoil, and curved backward-inclined (Figure 1). Each type has different wear characteristics and efficiencies and is specifically designed to suit the application.

Figure 1:

High efficiency

The combination of our design parameters give total efficiencies as high as 92% for airfoil blade designs. Where extra-rugged construction is necessary, solid-bladed fans are available with efficiencies up to 89% (see Figure 2).

Figure 2 – Performance field for a centrifugal fan with inlet vane control:

Control of fan output

CFE Technology centrifugal fans employ adjustable inlet vanes to control output. The inlet vane control method pre-spins the fluid entering the fan in the direction of the wheel rotation. This action results in less work for the fan and subsequently Iower power requirements.

Inlet vanes also provide improved control stability over the load range. By placing all inlet vane linkage external to the gas stream, CFE Technology’s design minimises leakage, blockage, and linkage binding. Minimising such undesirable traits allows less down-time and reduced maintenance for the centrifugal fans. If applications require other arrangements, CFE Technology also supplies fans without inlet vane control for use with damper or speed controls.

CFE Technology centrifugal fan features

• Integral hub design, which is standard for all hot gas or high performance applications, decreasing start-up time by reducing sensitivity to temperature shocks. This design also facilitates rotor removal by using captive bolts
• Flexibly supported fans are available to minimise the vibration transmitted to the support structure
• External inlet vane control
• Critical speeds ranging from 150%-200% of rated speed are used in the design to reduce the sensitivity of the fan system to vibration
• Split housings are designed for easy access and removal of the rotor assembly

CFE offers a global service network in conjunction with its associated partners for marketing, engineering, site erection, commissioning, and after sales service.