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Alphair VAX Series Fans
Knape Associates serves as the official distributor for Alphair VAX Series vane axial fans, delivering proven ventilation solutions for mining operations, industrial facilities, and demanding HVAC applications.
These high-performance vane axial fans provide airflow capacity from 3,000 to 250,000 cfm with static pressure capabilities reaching 18 inches water gauge. Built on Alphair Ventilation Systems’ 65+ years of axial fan engineering expertise, VAX fans combine robust construction with adjustable performance characteristics for critical ventilation challenges.
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VAX Series Performance Specifications
The Alphair VAX Series encompasses four distinct fan configurations engineered to meet specific airflow and pressure requirements across industrial applications.
Each series delivers proven performance through adjustable pitch vane technology and precision-balanced rotors meeting ISO G2.5 standards. These systems are commonly integrated into power plant ventilation and other heavy-duty industrial environments where reliability is critical.
From compact HVAC installations to large-scale marine and offshore ventilation systems, VAX fans provide dependable operation with motor configurations ranging from 10 to 400 horsepower.
| Series | Available Diameters | Max RPM (60Hz) | Airflow Range (cfm) | Static Pressure (in Wg) | Motor HP Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 24″, 25″, 28″, 30″, 32″, 36″, 38″, 42″, 45″, 48″ | 1780-3550 | 3,000-85,000 | 3.5-12 | 10-150 |
| 2100 | 28″, 30″, 32″, 36″, 38″, 42″, 45″, 48″, 54″ | 1780-3550 | 5,000-120,000 | 4.0-15 | 15-250 |
| 2700 | 36″, 38″, 42″, 45″, 48″, 54″, 60″, 66″, 72″ | 1180-1780 | 15,000-180,000 | 6.0-18 | 25-350 |
| 3150 | 48″, 54″, 60″, 66″, 72″, 78″, 84″ | 1180-1780 | 25,000-250,000 | 8.0-18 | 50-400 |
Engineers selecting VAX fans benefit from the extensive performance envelope covering 3,000 to 250,000 cfm airflow capacity with static pressure capabilities reaching 18 inches water gauge. For demanding projects such as wastewater treatment plant ventilation, this range ensures design flexibility.
The adjustable pitch blade design allows field optimization for specific operating conditions without equipment replacement, minimizing downtime in critical facilities.
Contact Knape Associates for detailed fan curves and application-specific performance data to ensure optimal VAX fan selection for your ventilation requirements.
Critical Applications by Industry
HVAC Systems
Air Handling & Distribution
VAX fans serve central air handling units in commercial buildings, healthcare clean rooms, and educational facilities where precise airflow control and quiet operation are essential for occupant comfort and regulatory compliance.
See our plenum fan systems for additional air handling solutions.
Data Centers
Hot aisle containment and cooling tower applications requiring continuous operation to prevent costly downtime. Explore E-house HVAC substation cooling solutions for critical electrical infrastructure.
Food Service Facilities
Kitchen exhaust systems handling grease-laden air and high-temperature removal from commercial cooking operations. See commercial ventilation fans designed for food service environments.
Laboratories
Chemical fume hood exhaust ensuring safety compliance and proper containment of hazardous vapors.
High-Rise Buildings
Stairwell pressurization for fire safety and smoke control systems meeting building code requirements. Learn more about fire and smoke dampers for high-rise building safety.
Industrial Process Ventilation
Woodworking Facilities
Dust collection systems removing sawdust, wood chips, and finishing particles from production areas. See our AGET dust collectors for woodworking operations.
Metal Fabrication
Welding fume extraction and general ventilation protecting workers from harmful airborne contaminants. Explore high-pressure blowers for heavy-duty fabrication environments.
Chemical Processing
Corrosive fume extraction from reactors and processing equipment where chemical resistance is critical. See fiberglass ventilation products engineered for corrosive atmospheres.
Foundries
High-temperature exhaust for casting operations and melting furnace ventilation in extreme heat conditions.
Paper Mills
Drying tunnel ventilation for moisture removal and process air circulation, maintaining production quality.
Textile Manufacturing
Process air systems for fabric treatment and finishing lines requiring consistent airflow patterns.
Food Processing
Clean air supply for packaging and bottling operations meeting FDA sanitary requirements.
Cement Production
Combustion air supply for rotary kilns and calcining operations requiring high-volume, reliable airflow. Explore backward inclined fans suited for high-volume cement applications.
Mining & Heavy Industry
Coal Mines
Main ventilation shafts provide worker safety, methane control, and air quality management.
Hard Rock Mines
Auxiliary ventilation in development headings and production areas under harsh operating conditions.
Tunneling Projects
Fresh air supply during construction and excavation, maintaining safe working atmospheres.
Mineral Processing
Dust suppression in crushing and conveying operations, protecting equipment and personnel.
Equipment Maintenance
Repair shop ventilation for heavy machinery servicing requires effective fume removal. Explore mancoolers for shop-floor worker cooling and ventilation.
Contact Knape Associates for application-specific VAX fan sizing and selection support tailored to your operational requirements.
Why Engineers Choose Alphair VAX Fans
High-Performance Operation
VAX fans handle static pressures up to 18 inches water gauge in demanding applications. The field-adjustable blade pitch allows performance tuning without replacing equipment. This saves costs and optimizes energy use when operating conditions change.
Built on 65+ years of engineering experience, these fans deliver reliable performance in heavy-duty industrial environments. See our mixed flow fans for additional high-efficiency ventilation options.
Easy Maintenance Design
The blade pitch adjustment system works without removing the rotor. This cuts maintenance downtime and service costs significantly. Precision ISO G2.5 rotor balancing combines with 100,000-hour bearing life for longer periods between service intervals.
External grease lines and motor leads stay outside the airstream. This design improves access while protecting critical parts from contamination.
Explore explosion-proof actuators for reliable control in hazardous environments.
Flexible Installation Options
The 24 to 84-inch diameter range covers most industrial airflow needs. Applications range from small HVAC systems to large mining operations.
Direct-drive and belt-drive options provide installation flexibility for tight spaces or specific performance requirements. Heavy-duty enhancement packages adapt VAX fans for harsh environments.
These include underground mining, corrosive atmospheres, and high-temperature operations. Learn more about explosion-proof heaters for challenging applications where safety and reliability are critical.