In grain facilities, managing the temperature and moisture levels of stored grains is crucial to preserve their quality and prevent spoilage. Various types of fans are employed to achieve this, each serving a specific purpose within the grain storage ecosystem.
Types of Fans Used in Grain Facilities
Here’s a closer look at the types of fans commonly used in grain facilities:
Centrifugal Fans
- Usage: Centrifugal fans are widely used in grain facilities for their robust performance in high-pressure applications. They are ideal for managing humidity and are often employed in aeration systems to circulate air through grain bins and silos.
- Design: These fans typically feature a radial-blade or backward-inclined blade design. The design ensures efficient airflow even in environments with high resistance to airflow, making them suitable for grain aeration where air needs to be pushed through dense masses of stored grains.
- Applications: Besides aeration, centrifugal fans are also used in pneumatic conveying systems to move grains from one part of the facility to another.
Axial Flow Fans
- Usage: Axial flow fans are commonly used for aeration in grain storage facilities. Their design allows for a higher volume of air to be moved through the grain at a lower pressure compared to centrifugal fans.
- Features: These fans usually have GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) adjustable pitch blades and are known for their direct-drive systems, which contribute to their efficiency and reliability.
- Advantages: Axial fans are preferred for their ability to deliver large cubic feet of air per minute through the grain, facilitating uniform cooling and aeration. They are effective in maintaining the ideal temperature and moisture levels within the grain mass.
Exhaust Fans
- Purpose: Industrial exhaust fans play a critical role in ventilating grain storage facilities, removing heat, dust, and odorous gases that can accumulate, especially in enclosed spaces like silos and warehouses.
- Varieties: End wall, side wall, and wall plate exhaust fans are among the options used, each tailored to the specific ventilation needs of the facility. These fans ensure the removal of stale air and maintain a fresh ambient air supply.
- Construction: Designed to withstand harsh conditions, these fans often feature galvanised casings and louvres for external weather protection, ensuring durability and long-term performance.
Aeration Fans
- Function: Aeration fans are specifically designed to maintain the quality of stored grains by cooling them and reducing moisture levels. They help in preventing the growth of moulds and insects, which thrive at higher temperatures and moisture levels.
- Automatic Aeration Controllers: Many aeration systems are equipped with automatic controllers that optimise fan operation based on the ambient temperature and humidity, ensuring efficient use of energy and maintaining the grain at its ideal storage conditions.
Each type of fan used in grain facilities is selected based on the specific requirements of the storage system, including the type of grain, the size and design of the storage structure, and the local climate conditions. The integration of these fans into a cohesive ventilation system is vital for the successful storage of grains, preserving their quality from the time of harvest until they are ready to be processed or sold.
Choose Fanquip for Grain Storage Ventilation
Choosing Fanquip for grain storage ventilation means access to top-quality exhaust, axial, and centrifugal fans. As Australia’s premier choice for ventilation, Fanquip offers robust solutions tailored for grain storage challenges. Their fans ensure ideal conditions, from temperature and humidity control to safe gas removal. With Fanquip, you get reliable products for all grain facility needs, safeguarding your grain’s quality and boosting operational efficiency in Australia’s agricultural industry.
Read more on our blog: What Part Does Ventilation Play in Grain Storage?
