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Active Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18

Excessive Vibration at Exhaust Fan

01/30/2009 12:07 PM

My query as below:

Fan Installation & Control

1. Two centrifugal exhaust fans have same fan static pressure (6"WG) & capacity (20,000 cfm) are placed in parallel.

2. Each exhaust fan has own individual outlet duct which is connected to individual chimney.

3. Each exhaust fan inlet shares same duct plenum which is further connected to main duct & branch ducts at production floor.

4. The duct plenum & main duct are sized for 20,000 cfm only.

5. Each exhaust fan motor speed is variable speed & controlled by Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).

6. Pressure transmitter installed at main duct is used to change the fan motor speed when there is a change of exhaust demand at branch ducts.

Scenario 1

1. Exhaust demand is less than fan capacity (15% of fan capacity).

2. When one exhaust fan is running, acceptable vibration at exhaust fan, chimney & duct.

Scenario 2

1. Exhaust demand is less than fan capacity (15% of fan capacity).
2. When two exhaust fans are running, one of the fan brake horse power is half of the another one.

3. Acceptable vibration at exhaust fan, chimney & duct.

Scenario 3

1. Exhaust demand is less than fan capacity (15% of fan capacity).

2. When two exhaust fans are running & have same brake horse power.

3. Excessive vibration at exhaust fan, chimney & duct.

My question is could someone advise me what has happened to the system ?

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Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2550
Good Answers: 103
#1

Re: Excessive vibration at the exhaust fan when both are running

01/30/2009 12:39 PM

The system is resonating when the two fans are running at the RPM.

Try running one of the fans at slightly less speed and see.

Preferably put vibration isolators below the fan mounting plate.

We have seen this type of resonance in several thermal power stations (The Pulveriser vibrations were transmitted to Boiler Feed Pumps- in a particular type of lay-out)

The vibration damper isolators had to be installed.

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Active Contributor

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: ontario canada
Posts: 13
#2

Re: Excessive Vibration at Exhaust Fan

01/31/2009 11:47 AM

Are the fans direct drive or belt?

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Active Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Excessive Vibration at Exhaust Fan

02/01/2009 10:11 AM

Are the fans direct drive or belt?

The fans are belt driven.

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Active Contributor

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: ontario canada
Posts: 13
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Excessive Vibration at Exhaust Fan

02/01/2009 4:57 PM

I've had this problem before in belt drives because of the ratio. If you are driving with a ratio of 2:1 for instance it works fine but if due to your pulley size your ratio is close to, but not 2:1 like 1.95:1 there is a harmonic vibration. If you change the ratio to 1.8:1, the vibration stops. I believe this is true of all whole numbers.

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