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| Project : 'Development of Energy Efficient FRP Axial-flow Fans' |
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| The Axial Flow Fans are conventionally designed with impellers made of aluminium or mild steel. The grey area today is the inconsistency in proper aerofoil selection & dimensional stability of the metallic impellers. This leads to high power consumption & high noise levels with lesser efficiency. The leading fan manufacturers in the world have been looking at FRP Axial Flow Fans for higher energy efficiency. The improved design of FRP Fan is aimed at higher lift to drag ratio and thereby increasing the overall efficiency. The new & improved aerodynamic fan designing, composite development, structural design combined with latest manufacturing process are also expected to result in consistent quality and higher productivity. |
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| Keeping in view the international trends and energy saving potential, the project on 'Development of Energy Efficient FRP Axial-flow Fans' was launched by the Advanced Composites Mission of TIFAC, Department of Science & Technology in partnership with M/s. Parag Fans & Cooling Systems Ltd., Dewas (MP). The technology support in terms of aerodynamic design of Axial Flow Fan Impellers, composite structural design, raw materials, fabrication process and performance evaluation was provided by the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- Mumbai. |
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| The project involved improvisation of fan design by selecting the most appropriate aerodynamic blade shape to suite specific airflow applications, development of suitable composite materials and structural design to replace the use of metals such as aluminium & mild steel in the impellers. The Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) Fans have the following advantages: |
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Higher efficiency suitable for any specific application. |
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Reduced overall weight of the fan, thereby extending the life of mechanical drive systems such as motors, gearboxes, bearings etc. |
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Low power consumption resulting in appreciable energy savings as compared to existing metallic fans. |
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Lower flow noise and mechanical noise levels compared to the conventional metallic fans. |
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Longer life of fans due to improved mechanical strength. |
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Excellent corrosion & erosion resistance and fire retardance. |
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