Content
Vortex blowers are unique equipment that can function as a compressor and a vacuum pump. The task of this machine is to move a stream of air or other gas, liquid under vacuum or low pressure. The equipment is used in many industries. Vortex blowers of various types and models are installed in vacuum cleaners, vacuum lifters, pneumatic transport, medical equipment. In everyday life, blowers can be used for aerating ponds, cleaning ventilation and sewerage systems, and pumping compressed gas. If necessary, you can purchase a ready-made model of such equipment or order a blower with the required characteristics from the manufacturer.
Functional differences of the blower
Both in industry and in everyday life, various types of compressors or fans are often used. A vortex blower is less common in comparison with these types of equipment, despite the fact that its functionality is wider. Its main differences from common machines are:
- A vortex blower creates a pressure much higher than a fan, but has a lower performance.
- Compared to a compressor, the blower creates less pressure, but has a higher performance.
In addition to the technical characteristics of performance and generated pressure, vortex blowers differ from other equipment in the principle of creating an air flow. The point is that the blower does not just pump air, but creates the very vortex in which the gas molecules move "not volumetrically", as a result of which a vacuum is created.
Advantages and disadvantages of equipment
In some types of work, the vortex blower can technically be replaced with a different type of alternative equipment. However, it is the blowers that are more often preferred in the industry because they have some comparative advantages:
- The vortex equipment is lightweight, which makes it easy to move and easy to install.
- In operation, such installations create a low noise level.
- There is absolutely no vibration during blower operation.
- No pulsation is observed when gases move.
- The equipment is compact in size.
- The cost of a vortex blower is lower than that of a vacuum pump.
- Vortex blowers are energy efficient.
- The equipment has a simple design with a small number of rubbing parts, due to which it rarely breaks down and has a high level of maintainability.
- The absence of rubbing parts does not require the use of lubricant, and allows you to get clean air at the outlet. It is this advantage that makes the equipment affordable for the food industry and medicine.
Vortex blowers, in addition to their advantages, have a number of disadvantages:
- The design features do not allow obtaining high efficiency in the operation of the vortex machine. Manufacturers are trying to eliminate this shortcoming in the manufacture of modern equipment models. One of the technologies for increasing the efficiency is the introduction of side channels into the design of the blower.
- The need to install an air filter. In the absence of a filter, there is a high probability of small objects falling into the gap between the fan housing and its impeller. Even a small object in the "body" of the equipment can destroy it.
- Vortex blowers are capable of heating the outlet air up to 700C. In this case, the machine is saved from overheating by a safety valve, which must be monitored regularly.
Thus, the blower has its own advantages and disadvantages, comparative features that must be taken into account when buying a particular model. In turn, conscientious manufacturers strive to eliminate many shortcomings by constructive modernization of the manufactured models. That is why it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the novelties on the market before purchasing a vortex unit.
Vortex Blower Working Principle
Most of the models have a very simple design, in which the working body is directly located on the motor shaft. The power and performance of the blower depends on the speed of rotation of the shaft. There are many radial blades on the impeller around its circumference. An important point is the geometry of their location (angle of inclination, size), on which the productivity of the installation depends. The impeller is located inside a metal casing. The metal frame has an internal and external channel through which the gas flow moves:
- The impeller blades draw air from the inlet.
- As the impeller rotates, air moves between the blades and is pushed forward by centrifugal force.
- With the constant rotation of the wheel, the pressure rises to the maximum value.
The blower can be designed with one or two impellers. Such installations, depending on the cycle of air rotation, can be single-stage or two-stage. Two-stage units are more commonly used in industry to generate higher pressures.
The principle of operation of a multi-stage vortex blower is similar to that of a single-stage simple machine. The only difference is that the gas after passing around the circumference of the first impeller is not pushed out, but is picked up by the blades of the second impeller. You can see a diagram of such equipment in the picture below:
Industrial Vortex Blowers
Vortex-fed equipment during continuous operation can generate pressures from 300 to 750 mbar. This indicatively primarily depends on the design of the equipment. So, there are 4 different blower schemes:
It is worth paying attention to the fact that mechanisms of the same design may differ in some indicators due to the peculiarities of a particular model.
The design of the blower can provide for an open or closed arrangement of the blades. Plants with closed blades have one significant advantage: they can work not only with gas, but also with dusty substances and liquids.
Interesting to know! Many enterprises use pneumatic conveyors to transfer paper, the work of which is based on the use of vortex equipment. Such complex vacuum channels, for example, are installed in many supermarkets for transferring banknotes from the cashier to the accounting department.
Domestic use of the blower
In domestic conditions, a vortex blower is rarely encountered. As a rule, it is replaced by a compressor or fan. Such a low level of prevalence among the general population is observed due to ignorance of all the capabilities of this device.For example, the blower can be widely used in the garage, for inflating wheels, working a wrench and other pneumatic equipment. The swirling air stream can quickly dry, clean or paint the surface. The equipment can also be used as a pump for water supply.
You can see the work of vortex equipment in everyday life in the video:
On the video, an experienced user will talk about some of the characteristics of the device and demonstrate its performance.
Models from the manufacturer
There are many different models of vortex blowers available in the specialized market. They can differ in their design, technical characteristics and, of course, cost. At the same time, it is important to understand that the device of the mechanism from different manufacturers is approximately the same and quite simple, so it makes no sense to overpay for the brand in this case.
To navigate the manufacturers and prices, you can compare several models of vortex equipment. So, a unit manufactured in the Russian Federation, creating a pressure of 125 mbar and a vortex flow velocity of 80 m3/ h will cost 15 thousand rubles. A similar German-made installation will cost the buyer 19 thousand rubles. Agree, the difference in price is considerable, considering that the equipment of two different brands has accomplished the same characteristics.
For household use, surely everyone will be able to choose a suitable model for themselves. At the same time, for industrial enterprises, manufacturers can custom-make equipment with the necessary design features. Such cooperation is possible with both Russian and foreign manufacturers.
Vortex blowers are widely known in the industry and are rarely used in the home. However, the area of their application in the economy is very, very wide. With their help, you can speed up the work on car repairs, saturate a heavily stocked pond with oxygen, and aerate the water in the pool. Such installations can be used as a vacuum cleaner or a pump for water supply. Having a spray gun at hand with the help of an air stream, you can quickly and efficiently paint any surface. Thus, in everyday life, the blower can perform a whole range of functions, replacing the compresses, fan and pump. The cost of such versatile equipment is quite affordable. The manufacturer, in turn, guarantees high quality workmanship and long-term warranty service.
