Adding a nacelle in front or behind the fan?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of adding a nacelle in front of or behind a standard pedestal fan on the speed of air movement. Participants explore whether such modifications can enhance airflow velocity and the implications for cooling applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that adding a nacelle can affect the speed of air coming in and out of the fan, but this may come at the cost of reduced overall airflow.
  • There is a suggestion that if airflow is reduced, it could potentially increase the velocity of the air, depending on the design and purpose of the fan.
  • Participants question whether a decrease in airflow but an increase in velocity is more beneficial for cooling applications, indicating a need for further clarification on the relationship between airflow and cooling effectiveness.
  • One participant notes that the benefits of airflow versus velocity may depend on the specific type of cooling being performed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that adding a nacelle can influence airflow and velocity, but there is no consensus on the optimal configuration or the implications for cooling efficiency. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach and the conditions under which it may be beneficial.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific equations or models to quantify the relationship between airflow and velocity in this context, as well as the dependence on the type of cooling application being considered.

boeing186
Can adding a nacelle in front or behind a standard pedestal fan affect the speed of the air coming in and out? If so, which is more beneficial: an intake nacelle or a nacelle in the front?

Using Q=AV, with Q being constant because of the fan blade's max speed, can affecting the area (A) create a noticeable difference in velocity (V)?
 
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boeing186 said:
Can adding a nacelle in front or behind a standard pedestal fan affect the speed of the air coming in and out? If so, which is more beneficial: an intake nacelle or a nacelle in the front?

Using Q=AV, with Q being constant because of the fan blade's max speed, can affecting the area (A) create a noticeable difference in velocity (V)?
Welcome to PF!

It is difficult to know for sure and depends on exactly what you want to do with the fan. The general answer is yes, but there is a cost. Any restriction added to the fan will reduce the fan's airflow. So if you are OK with reducing the airflow to increase it's velocity, you can do that.
 
russ_watters said:
Welcome to PF!

It is difficult to know for sure and depends on exactly what you want to do with the fan. The general answer is yes, but there is a cost. Any restriction added to the fan will reduce the fan's airflow. So if you are OK with reducing the airflow to increase it's velocity, you can do that.

Thanks! And I see. So in fans used for cooling, is a decrease in airflow but an increase in velocity more beneficial than the other way around? And if so, is there a limit to this or an equation that I can use to find such a relationship?
 
boeing186 said:
Thanks! And I see. So in fans used for cooling, is a decrease in airflow but an increase in velocity more beneficial than the other way around? And if so, is there a limit to this or an equation that I can use to find such a relationship?
That would depend on the type of cooling being done.
 
russ_watters said:
That would depend on the type of cooling being done.

Sounds kinda stupid, but cooling myself up to two yards away
 

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