Axial fans are especially well suited for applications where large volumes of air must be moved at low to medium static pressure. Because the air flows parallel to the shaft, like a propeller, axial fans can deliver very high flow rates with relatively compact equipment. This makes them the preferred choice in many mining, tunnelling and industrial ventilation projects where long airways or big open spaces require continuous airflow for cooling and contaminant control.
In underground mines and tunnels, large vane-axial or tube-axial fans are widely used as main fans on shafts or portals, as well as booster fans and auxiliary duct fans. They are well suited for pushing or pulling air through drifts, declines and headings to dilute methane, diesel exhaust and blasting fumes, and to control temperature and humidity. Their ability to deliver high volume from a relatively small footprint is a major advantage in confined underground spaces.
In industrial buildings, axial fans are suited for general supply and exhaust duties in factories, warehouses, workshops and processing plants. Wall-mounted axial fans, roof-mounted axial ventilators and inline duct fans can move large quantities of air through relatively short duct runs to remove heat, fumes and dust. They are commonly installed for comfort ventilation, make-up air and process ventilation where system resistance is moderate.
Axial fans are also well suited for tunnel and metro ventilation, where long linear spaces require high airflow to control smoke and provide fresh air. High-performance axial tunnel fans can operate in normal ventilation mode and, in some designs, provide emergency smoke extraction or jet thrust to control smoke movement during fires.
Because axial fans can be supplied with variable-pitch blades or speed control, they are suited to variable-duty applications where airflow requirements change with production or environmental conditions. This flexibility, combined with their high efficiency in the correct pressure range, makes axial fans an excellent choice for many mining and industrial ventilation tasks where high volume and moderate pressure are required.
