Physics of Air Fans: Number of Blades & Flow Rate

In summary, the design of a fan, including the number of blades and blade surface area, directly affects the air flow it produces. Increasing the surface area of the blades typically increases the flow rate. In the case of two separate axial flow fans with different dimensions but the same speed and overall blade surface area, the one with a steeper blade pitch will have a greater flow rate. This is because the steep pitch allows for a larger amount of air to be moved with each revolution. The number of blades is a compromise between doing work on all the air and not blocking too much space. Jet engines typically have a similar number of fan blades due to the similar conditions they operate in.
  • #1
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hey guys,

I'm new here but i was a bit stuck on thinking about how air flow is effected by a fan. it's probably a really simple question, but it's got my cobwebbed brain a bit stumped!

my question is in two parts:

1. how does air flow relate to the design of a fan? ie, an answer with respect to the number of blades and blade surface area is what i am after. i have a feeling that if you increase the fan blades' surface area in any way, you therefore increase flow?

2. following on, if you have two separate axial flow fans whose dimensions are completely different, but turning at the same speed and have the same overall blade surface area, will you see both fans flow the same amount of air?

thanks in advance for any help

cheers
 
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  • #2
Regarding #2, I think that one with 'steeper' pitch to the blades should have a greater flow rate at the same rpm. It bites off a bigger chunk of air during each revolution.
 
  • #3
Those higher-tech new GE jet engines have really steep-pitched blades and very many. Jet engines all have very many blades close together. Why is that?
 
  • #4
Mk said:
Those higher-tech new GE jet engines have really steep-pitched blades and very many. Jet engines all have very many blades close together. Why is that?

The reason for the steep pitch is because the engine has a velocity forwards, which is equivalent to the air having a velocity backwards relative to the fan. If the pitch was shallow, the blades would effectively block off the front of the engine. A typical "domestic" fan (e.g. a room fan, or the cooling fan on a car radiator) doesn't have air already flowing towards it at hundreds of meters per second, so the blade pitch is more shallow.

The number of blades is a compromise. When you design a fan like that you want to do work on ALL the air that goes through it. If there are more blades, each blade has to do less work, therefore the forces and stresses in the blade are smaller, so the blades can be made lighter. On the other hand if there are too many blades, they block up too much space and that restricts the amount of air that can get through the gaps between them.

You don't say which particilar GE engine you are talking about but most large jet engines have a similar number of fan blades - usually between about 22 and 26. It's not surprising the numbers are similar, all the fans are working in the same air at similar RPM and at similar aircraft forward speeds.
 

1. How does the number of blades affect the flow rate of an air fan?

The number of blades on an air fan can impact the flow rate by affecting the amount of air that is moved with each rotation. Generally, more blades will result in a higher flow rate as each blade pushes a smaller amount of air, but with more blades overall, the total amount of air moved increases.

2. Is there an ideal number of blades for maximum efficiency in an air fan?

There is no one ideal number of blades for all air fans. The optimal number of blades will depend on various factors, such as the shape and size of the blades, the motor power, and the intended application of the fan. Generally, for smaller fans, fewer blades may be more efficient, while larger fans may benefit from more blades.

3. Do different types of blades affect the flow rate differently?

Yes, the shape and design of the blades can have a significant impact on the flow rate of an air fan. For example, blades with a steeper angle of attack may be more efficient at moving air, while curved blades may create a smoother flow. The material and weight of the blades can also affect the overall performance of the fan.

4. Can the number of blades on an air fan affect the noise level?

Yes, the number of blades can contribute to the noise level of an air fan. In general, more blades will result in a louder fan due to increased air turbulence. However, the design and quality of the fan, as well as other factors such as motor speed and blade shape, can also play a role in the noise level.

5. Is there a relationship between the number of blades and the power consumption of an air fan?

The number of blades can indirectly affect the power consumption of an air fan. More blades may require a more powerful motor to rotate them, resulting in higher power consumption. However, the design and efficiency of the fan can also impact power consumption, so the number of blades alone is not the only factor to consider.

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