forcing fan

A forcing fan is a press-in ventilation device that drives fresh air from the intake into underground headings, crosscuts, or working faces. In mining, it is used to overcome duct friction, bends, and leakage so that the required quantity reaches the workplace. By supplying clean air directly to the source of heat, dust, fumes, and methane, the fan helps maintain statutory air quality and temperature while improving visibility and worker comfort.

Compared with exhaust arrangements, a forcing layout simplifies dust capture at the face and reduces recirculation risk when duct sealing is sound. Properly selected units match the duty point defined by total pressure losses of the duct network and equipment, including starter pieces, elbows, reducers, and diffusion sections. Explosion-proof or flameproof construction is adopted where gas or combustible dust is present, together with compliant motors, starters, and monitoring.

Key selection factors include required quantity at the face, total pressure, allowable noise, and layout constraints. Axial models are common for high flow at moderate pressure; contra-rotating versions extend the pressure range without excessive diameter growth. Integration with VFD control enables continuous trim as headings advance and duct length increases.

• Application: local/auxiliary press-in ventilation
• Goals: methane dilution, dust and fume control, thermal comfort
• Options: axial or contra-rotating, explosion-proof, VFD ready