Another widely used name for a centrifugal fan is a radial fan, and in many industrial contexts it is also referred to simply as a blower. All of these terms describe a machine in which air enters near the centre of a rotating wheel or impeller and is thrown outward into a scroll shaped housing by centrifugal force. As the air is turned from axial to radial direction, part of its velocity energy is converted into static pressure, which is why centrifugal or radial fans are preferred when ducts, filters and process equipment create higher resistance.
The term radial fan emphasises the direction of the airflow leaving the impeller. In a radial fan, air flows perpendicular to the shaft, radially outward into the volute casing. This distinguishes it from axial fans, where air flows roughly parallel to the shaft. Radial fans are especially common in applications where dust, chips or fibres are present, because certain radial blade designs handle particulate load better than most axial configurations.
The word blower is used informally in many industries for high pressure air movers, regardless of exact construction. In practice, when people speak about an industrial blower or process blower, they are often referring to a centrifugal fan that can develop higher static pressure than a typical axial fan of the same size. These blowers are used on boilers, kilns, dryers, dust collectors and pneumatic conveying systems in factories, power plants and mining operations.
Another related term is squirrel cage fan, often applied to forward curved centrifugal fans whose impellers resemble a wheel with many small blades. These units are widely used in HVAC air handlers and small industrial equipment. Even though the appearance is different from heavy duty mining or process blowers, the fundamental principle is the same: air is drawn in near the centre and discharged radially after gaining energy from the rotating wheel.
In mining and heavy industry, the choice between a centrifugal fan and an axial fan depends on required pressure, airflow, dust loading and layout. Regardless of the chosen name radial fan, centrifugal fan or blower the engineer is referring to a fan that throws air outward from the impeller to generate the pressure needed to overcome system resistance.
