# Fans or Compressors

FluidFlow contains a database of Fans & Compressors which can be used when building a network. The user can also supplement this database by adding new fans or compressors for specific applications. This section of the help file outlines the information required when adding a new fan/compressor to the database. Firstly, define the main booster parameters by selecting: Database | Boosters | Fan or Compressor and select "Add". Give your new booster a (unique) Name and enter the main operating parameters as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: Data Entry for a Fan or Compressor. Name: Allows you to enter a descriptive name for this element. Manufacturer: The name of the booster manufacturer can be entered here. Materials: The materials used to manufacture the booster may be defined in this field. Options include: Steel, Stainless Steel, Bronze, etc. Applications: This option allows you to list the specific applications in which the booster may be used. Options include: Chemical, Power, etc. Max Operating Pressure: If there is a maximum pressure rating for the booster you should enter this value here. Leaving the value at 0 means that FluidFlow will not make an overpressure check. Pressure Unit: The pressure units used when defining the Max Operating Pressure. Suction Size: This refers to the diameter of the booster suction connection. Discharge Size: This refers to the diameter of the booster discharge connection. Size Unit: This refers to the diameter/size units used in the above entries. Data Operating Speed: This refers to the booster-speed on which the capacity curve has been defined in the database. Min Operating Speed: This refers to the minimum operating speed of the booster as advised by the manufacturer. Max Operating Speed: This refers to the maximum operating speed of the booster as advised by the manufacturer. Data Impeller Diameter: This refers to the booster impeller diameter on which the capacity curve has been defined in the database. Min Impeller Diameter: This refers to the minimum impeller diameter of the booster as advised by the manufacturer. Max Impeller Diameter: This refers to the maximum impeller diameter of the booster as advised by the manufacturer. Impeller Diameter Unit: This refers to the diameter/size units used in the above entries. Volume Flow Condition: This refers to the reference flowing conditions on which the booster performance has been established by the manufacturer. There are two options available: 1) Standard (1 atm, 15oC) and 2) Normal (1 atm, 0oC). You can usually find this data on the manufacturer's data sheets. Capacity Curve Data: This field allows you to define the capacity performance curve for the booster based on the reference volume flow conditions as described above. Figure 2 provides an illustration of a sample capacity performance curve. To create the curve, simply enter a minimum of three coordinate values and the software will automatically plot the curve. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, it is recommended that the capacity curve is defined across the full quadrant. Figure 2: Performance Capacity Curve for a Fan or Compressor. Note, fan curves supplied by manufacturers rarely extend far to the right hand side of the quadrant. It is therefore recommended that users make an estimate for the final curve coordinate. The estimate you make can be guessed (this is OK as we will never operate the fan anywhere near to this condition). When you estimate the flow value at the corresponding pressure value of zero, ensure that you do not distort the shape of the curve. Figure 2 shows how an additional row has been added where we have made an estimate of the flow (760 ft3/min) at zero pressure. As you can see, the curve still intersects the coordinates and is an accurate representation of the manufacturer's data. Design Tip: FluidFlow will automatically correct the fan performance curve if the fan is modeled in a system which is transporting a gas/vapor at conditions different to the reference volume flow conditions defined for the booster in the database (refer to the item above titled "Volume Flow Condition"). The actual system flow rate, fluid density along with all other physical properties will be calculated accurately based on the corrected fan performance. When you view the performance curves for the fan on the Chart tab of the Data Palette, you may notice the performance curve has been corrected/adjusted accordingly. Curve Fit Type: There is only one selection available: Polynomial. Equation Order: There are six options available: 1) Best Fit, 2) Linear, 3) Quadratic, 4) Cubic, 5) Quartic, & 6) Quintic. Flow Unit: The flow units used when defining the flow rate coordinate for the booster. Pressure Unit: The units used when defining the pressure coordinate for the booster. Min Limit: This represents the lowest flow coordinate available from the manufacturer. It is important to set this value accurately. If this booster is modeled in a system with a duty point below the Min Limit value, a warning will be enunciated to that effect. Max Limit: This represents the highest flow coordinate available from the manufacturer. It is important to set this value accurately. If this booster is modeled in a system with a duty point above the Max Limit value, a warning will be enunciated to that effect. Efficiency Curve Data: This field allows you to define the efficiency curve for the booster based on the reference volume flow conditions as described above. Figure 3 provides an illustration of a sample efficiency curve. To create the curve, simply enter a minimum of three coordinate values and the software will automatically plot the curve. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, it is recommended that the curve is defined in full. Figure 3: Efficiency Curve for a Fan or Compressor. Curve Fit Type: There is only one selection available: Polynomial. Equation Order: There are six options available: 1) Best Fit, 2) Linear, 3) Quadratic, 4) Cubic, 5) Quartic, & 6) Quintic. Flow Unit: The flow units used when defining the flow rate coordinate for the booster. Min Limit: This represents the lowest flow coordinate available from the manufacturer. It is important to set this value accurately. Max Limit: This represents the highest flow coordinate available from the manufacturer. It is important to set this value accurately. Add: This button allows you to add a new fan or compressor to the database. Delete: This button allows you to delete a fan or compressor record from the database. Load: You can load a ".comp" file to the "DATA" Folder stored on your local PC or network if another user has saved (see step described below) and shared their fan or compressor data with you. Save: This option allows you to save a fan or compressor ("clone") as a ".comp" file type. This means if you have created a new fan or compressor in your local database (stored on your "DATA" Folder), you can save the fan or compressor file and share with another user. The user can then save the .comp file to their local PC, select the "Load" button which will load-in the new fan or compressor file data to their local database. If any of the above is unclear or you require any further information, please contact us at: support@fluidflowinfo.com.