Plenum Fans
Plenum fans are centrifugal impellers designed for efficient air movement in commercial and industrial construction applications. Utilizing backward inclined impeller technology, these fans generate high-volume, multidirectional airflow at lower pressures without a casing.
With their compact design, high efficiency, and ability to meet various environmental and performance standards, plenum fans are ideal for new construction and retrofit projects requiring effective air circulation and ventilation.
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Key Features and Benefits
- High-efficiency airflow in large volumes while maintaining a compact size
- Multi-directional flow capability requiring airflow in different directions
- Low-pressure operation, suitable for high airflow rates but low available pressure
- ATEX, high temperature, and eco-design compliance (select models) for safe and efficient operation in various environments
- Flexibility in design to meet specific requirements
These fans provide a reliable, efficient, and adaptable solution for industries seeking high-performance ventilation and air circulation.
What is a Plenum Fan?
A plenum fan is a centrifugal fan designed for high-pressure applications in air-handling systems. It features airfoil or backward-inclined blades, a direct-drive motor, and a compact housing for installation in plenum spaces. Plenum fans efficiently move air and maintain optimal pressure within the system.
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Working Principles and Applications
Centrifugal impellers generate multi-directional flow, pressuring the entire plenum and enabling air ducts to connect from any direction.
This unique design makes these fans highly adaptable and suitable for various settings, including offshore and marine environments, air handling units, filtration, parking areas, supply and return, air recirculation, HVAC, and pharmaceutical industries.
They are designed for pressurized plenums in industrial and commercial air-handling systems, featuring high-capacity wheels.
Types and Their Differences
Plenum fans are available in two main types: direct-drive and belt-drive.
Direct-Drive
- More efficient due to fewer moving parts and less energy loss through friction
- Lower noise levels, ideal for noise-sensitive environments
- Less vibration, leading to reduced wear and tear on the fan and surrounding structures
- Best suited for high airflow rates, energy efficiency, and low noise levels, such as clean rooms and laboratories
Belt-Drive
- Often more cost-effective, especially in larger sizes or higher-powered processes.
- Suitable for high airflow rates, where noise and energy efficiency are less critical, such as industrial ventilation, manufacturing facilities, and large-scale air circulation approach
When selecting between direct-drive and belt-drive plenum fans, consider requirements, energy efficiency, noise levels, and budget to determine the most appropriate type.
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Plenum Arrays
Plenum arrays are a configuration of multiple plenum fans mounted together to achieve higher airflow rates and pressure ratings than individual fans.
This modular design offers increased flexibility and customization to meet the needs of various industries and facilities, particularly in complex HVAC systems where high airflow rates and pressures are necessary to maintain efficient air circulation and temperature control.
Key Features of Plenum Arrays:
- Higher airflow rates are ideal for commercial spaces requiring substantial clean air movement
- Increased pressure ratings by combining fans, allowing them to overcome greater resistance
- Built-in redundancy, minimizing downtime and ensuring reliability
HVAC Improvements
Enhanced efficiency of HVAC systems leads to reduced energy consumption, improved airflow distribution, and better overall performance.
Direct-drive models operate at lower speeds and consume less power than belt-drive fans, resulting in significant energy savings.
Enhanced efficiency reduces energy consumption and improves airflow distribution.
VFD Controllers for Plenum Array Fan
VFD-controlled fans are crucial for optimizing the performance and efficiency of plenum array fans.
They offer:
- Precise speed control based on system demand
- Seamless integration with building management systems
- Energy savings through real-time adjustments
- Soft-start capabilities to reduce mechanical stress on fan motors
- Noise reduction by operating fans at lower speeds when possible
- Advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting features for preventive maintenance
VFD controllers ensure that plenum array fans operate optimally, reducing energy consumption and costs. They continuously match fan performance to system requirements, minimizing waste and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Plenum Fan Technical Specifications from Leading Manufacturers
The following section presents streamlined technical specifications of plenum fans from specific manufacturers, showcasing their performance range and key features.
Plenum fans are designed specifically for use in pressurized plenums found in air handling systems. They offer excellent performance, reliability, and quiet operation.
With high-capacity wheels for higher air volumes and maximum application flexibility, they suit stringent HVAC applications in housed and open designs.
Northern Blower Airfoil Plenum Fan (9200 Series)
- Designed for quiet, efficient, and stable operation in air-handling units
- Wheel diameter range: 13-1/2″ to 66″
- Class I, II construction
- Performance: 1,000 to 125,000 CFM at up to 8″ WG SP
PennBarry Plunum Fan
- Unhoused centrifugal fan for air handling and pressurized plenum applications
- Available sizes: 182 through 890
- Capacity range: 400 to 250,000 CFM
- Static pressure up to 8″ w.g.
- Classes I, II, and III; Arrangements 1, 3, 4, 8, and 9
- Vertical and horizontal shafts; Piggyback motor mount
- At least a 12% increase in efficiency over typical plenum designs with reduced sound levels
Captiveaire Downturn Plenum
- Allows inline make-up air units to provide down-discharge air
- Insulated for reduced condensation build-up and noise
Loren Cook Plenum Fan Array (Model MPA)
- Direct drive plenum fan, configurable from standalone to parallel arrays of 2 to 20 fans
- Redundancy when used in an array
- 14 fan sizes: 10″ to 40.25″ diameter
- 9 or 12-blade wheels in 80%, 100%, and 120% widths
- Aluminum airfoil wheel: Compatible with most NEMA-rated motors
Soler Palau Plenum Fans (BPHV)
- Compact fans with high-performance backward impellers (welded steel) and direct-driven motors
- Vertical assembly without motor support bench; Front panel with inlet cone
- High-efficiency IE3 motors with PTC (≥ 0.75 kW); IE2 motors with PTC (lower powers)
- Double pressure sensor tap for fan inlet pressure control
- Diameters: 225 mm to 630 mm
- Maximum airflows and pressures: 28,000 m³/h and 2,800 Pa
- Low noise levels, high efficiency, and minimal maintenance due to direct-driven design
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Contact us today to request a quote or discuss how VFD array fans can optimize your facility’s ventilation performance while reducing energy costs and improving air quality.
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