Content
Vortex blowers are unique equipment that can perform the function of a compressor and a vacuum pump. The task of this machine is to move a stream of air or other gas or liquid under vacuum or low pressure conditions. The equipment is used in many industries. Vortex blowers of various types and models are installed in vacuum cleaners, vacuum lifters, pneumatic transport, and medical equipment. In everyday life, blowers can be used to aerate ponds, clean ventilation and sewer systems, and pump compressed gas. If necessary, you can purchase a ready-made model of such equipment or order a blower with the necessary characteristics from the manufacturer.
Functional differences of the blower
Both in industry and in everyday life, various types of compressors or fans are more often used. The 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 gas blower creates much higher pressure than a fan, but has lower productivity.
- Compared to a compressor, a blower creates less pressure, but is characterized by greater productivity.
In addition to the technical characteristics of performance and pressure created, vortex blowers differ from other equipment in the principle of creating air flow. The thing is that the blower does not just pump air, but creates the same vortex in which gas molecules move “not volumetrically,” resulting in the creation of a vacuum.
Advantages and disadvantages of equipment
In some types of work, the vortex blower can technically be replaced with another type of alternative equipment. However, blowers are often preferred in industry because they have some comparative advantages:
- The vortex equipment is lightweight, which makes it easy to move and install.
- In operation, such installations create a low noise level.
- There is absolutely no vibration when the blower operates.
- There is no pulsation observed when gases move.
- The equipment is compact in size.
- The cost of a vortex blower is lower than the cost of a vacuum pump.
- Vortex blowers are characterized by low energy consumption.
- 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 the output to be clean air. It is this advantage that makes the equipment accessible to the food industry and medicine.
In addition to their advantages, vortex blowers also 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 drawback in the manufacture of modern equipment models. One of the technologies for increasing efficiency is the introduction of side channels into the blower design.
- The need to install an air filter. If there is no filter, there is a high probability of small objects getting into the gap between the blower body and its impeller. Even a small object in the “body” of the equipment can disable 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, the operation of which must be regularly monitored.
Thus, the blower has its advantages and disadvantages, comparative features that must be taken into account when purchasing a particular model. In turn, conscientious manufacturers strive to eliminate many shortcomings through constructive modernization of manufactured models. That is why before purchasing a vortex installation, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the new products on the market.
Working principle of vortex blower
Most models have a very simple design, in which the working element is directly located on the electric motor shaft. The power and performance of the blower depends on the shaft rotation speed. The impeller has many radial blades around its circumference.An important point is the geometry of their location (angle of inclination, size), on which the performance 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:
- Air is sucked in from the inlet of the wheel blades.
- As the impeller rotates, air moves between the blades and is pushed forward by centrifugal force.
- With constant rotation of the wheel, the pressure increases to its maximum value.
The blower design may include one or two impellers. Such installations, depending on the air rotation cycle, can be single-stage or two-stage. Two-stage units are more often used in industry to generate higher pressure.
The operating principle of a multi-stage vortex blower is similar to the operation 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
Equipment with vortex feed can generate pressures from 300 to 750 mbar during continuous operation. This significantly depends primarily on the design of the equipment. So, we can distinguish 4 different blower designs:
It is worth paying attention to the fact that mechanisms of the same design may differ in some indicators due to the characteristics of a particular model.
The design of the blower can include an open or closed blade arrangement. Installations with closed blade placement 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 mail to transfer papers, the operation of which is based on the use of vortex equipment. Such complex vacuum channels, for example, are installed in many supermarkets to transfer banknotes from the cashier to the accounting department.
Using a blower at home
In everyday use, a vortex blower is rarely encountered. As a rule, it is replaced by a compressor or fan. Such a low prevalence rate among the general population is observed due to ignorance of all the capabilities of this device. For example, a blower can be widely used in a garage, for inflating wheels, operating a wrench and other pneumatic equipment. With the help of a vortex air flow, you can quickly dry, clean or paint the surface. The equipment can also be used as a pump to supply water.
You can see the operation of vortex equipment in everyday life in the video:
In the video, an experienced user will talk about some of the characteristics of the device and demonstrate its performance.
Models from the manufacturer
On the specialized equipment market you can find many different models of vortex blowers.They may differ in their design, technical characteristics and, of course, cost. At the same time, it is important to understand that the structure 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 find your bearings on manufacturers and prices, you can compare several models of vortex equipment. Thus, a unit produced in the Russian Federation, creating a pressure of 125 mbar and a vortex flow speed of 80 m3/hour will cost 15 thousand rubles. A similar installation made in Germany will cost the buyer 19 thousand rubles. Agree, the difference in price is considerable, considering that equipment from two different brands has exactly the same characteristics.
For household use, everyone will probably be able to choose the right model for themselves. At the same time, for industrial enterprises, manufacturers can produce equipment with the necessary design features to order. Such cooperation is possible both with manufacturers in Russia and abroad.
Vortex blowers are widely known in industry and are rarely used in everyday life. However, the scope of their application in the economy is very, very wide. With their help, you can speed up car repair work, 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 water pump. Having a spray gun on hand using a stream of air can quickly and efficiently paint any surface. Thus, in everyday life, a blower can perform a whole range of functions, replacing compresses, a fan and a pump.The cost of such universal equipment is quite affordable. The manufacturer, in turn, guarantees high quality workmanship and long-term warranty service.
