Centrifugal fans are at the heart of industrial ventilation and process gas systems. They play an essential role in the smooth operation of such systems. However, like any rotating machine, centrifugal fans are subject to natural wear and tear – a strain that impairs their performance and service life over time and, in the worst case, can even lead to total failure. Such failures can be proactively prevented with regular maintenance. This not only ensures the long-term operational readiness of your system, but also minimizes the risk of cost-intensive malfunctions.
With our specialized maintenance service from Serafima, your centrifugal fans will work quietly and reliably. Regardless of whether you need to eliminate annoying noises, clean or replace wearing parts such as bearings – we are there for you. Protect your systems from unexpected breakdowns and save costs with our preventive and professional maintenance. Rely on our expertise and ensure maximum operational readiness – we take care of the smooth operation of your fans.
Regular maintenance of centrifugal fans is important
Centrifugal fans are primarily used in the process gas industry. Their functionality often determines the smooth operation of the entire system. However, as the rotating machines are continuously exposed to high loads and stresses, problems can quickly creep in without regular maintenance. If left untreated, these can lead to serious damage. The result: expensive repairs and unwanted downtime.
Regular maintenance allows such potential faults to be detected and rectified at an early stage. Regularly maintained centrifugal fans have a longer service life and demonstrably increase operating efficiency. In addition, a proactive maintenance strategy helps to avoid major repairs and the replacement of expensive components – ultimately saving companies money.
Centrifugal fan: main areas and basics of maintenance
As rotating machines, centrifugal fans perform essential tasks such as conveying and circulating air and gases in industrial systems. They can handle even complex technical requirements with ease. To ensure that your centrifugal fans always work optimally and unplanned breakdowns are avoided, maintenance should be divided into various main areas. A clear structure ensures that your fans work efficiently and reliably over the long term – and this is precisely where our recommendations come in:
- Volume flow measurement/measurement of the air or process gas flow:
Differential pressure sensors or flow meters can be used to measure the volume flow of a radial fan. This air flow is an important indicator of the efficiency of the fan.
- Thermography, maintenance, condition assessment:
Thermography is used to assess the operating condition of centrifugal fans, as it detects temperature changes on the surface of the device or at the bearing points. In most cases, anomalies in the temperature are an indication of a malfunction or imminent failure.
- Measure the belt tension and check the direction of rotation:
The correct belt tension and the correct direction of rotation of the fan are important: too high or too low a tension can lead to premature wear or damage. Problems caused by incorrect direction of rotation can be recognized by unusual noises and high power consumption.
- Reassembly, cleaning:
Regular, function-preserving cleaning of the centrifugal fan helps to remove deposits that can impair efficiency and lead to damage. Following maintenance, all components must be properly reassembled.
Common problems and repairs with centrifugal fans
One of the most common problems with centrifugal fans is bearing damage. This is often caused by the high loads at the connection points. Such damage leads to annoying noises such as rattling, squeaking or whirring and, in the worst case, can even block the entire operation. If bearing damage occurs, it should be repaired quickly by replacing the bearing precisely.
In addition to servicing industrial fans and replacing bearings, our repair service offers comprehensive solutions for defective fans. What sets us apart is our cost-effective and sustainable repair service. This saves you having to buy a new device and protects the environment at the same time. Serafima will be happy to help you find the right measures for your requirements.
Maintenance strategies for centrifugal fans
Centrifugal fans always require a well thought-out maintenance strategy to ensure trouble-free operation in the long term. There are various approaches to this:
- Reactive maintenance: Here, intervention only takes place when a defect occurs. Although this method is easy to use, it carries the risk of unexpected failures and expensive consequential damage.
- Preventive maintenance: This strategy relies on regular, planned maintenance work to prevent potential problems. This minimizes downtime and extends the service life of the fans.
- Predictive maintenance: By using modern technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and machine learning, centrifugal fans are continuously monitored long before a problem occurs. The data obtained can be used to detect impending failures at an early stage and prevent them in a targeted manner.
While each of these strategies has its advantages, predictive maintenance offers the highest level of safety and efficiency.
Serafima: Your partner for the maintenance of centrifugal fans
Serafima offers far more than just maintenance services – we are your reliable partner for the entire service life of your centrifugal fans. With over 20 years of experience, we stand for expertise, flexibility and customer-oriented service that sets standards worldwide. Our approach is clear: we value long-term partnerships that help you avoid breakdowns and ensure the production quality of your systems through regular maintenance.
Whether you need preventive maintenance, thermography or repairs to your system, we are the people to contact. At Serafima, you get everything from a single source: from the reconditioning of system components to balancing and vibration analysis. Our maintenance specialists ensure that your centrifugal fans are always in optimum condition, so you can rely on predictable costs and maximum availability of your machines. Contact us today – together we can make your systems fit for the future.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between axial and centrifugal fans?
Axial fans and centrifugal fans differ mainly in the way they move air. Axial fans transport the air parallel to the drive axis. They are ideal for applications where large volumes of air need to be conveyed at low pressure. For example, in ventilation systems or air conditioning systems. Centrifugal fans, on the other hand, move the air radially, i.e. perpendicular to the drive axis. The air is sucked into the center of the fan and pushed outwards by the blades. These fans are better suited to applications where higher pressures are required, such as in industrial exhaust air systems or dust extraction.
How does a centrifugal fan work?
The operation of a centrifugal fan is based on the principle of centrifugal force. Air is drawn in by the rotation of a rotating impeller (centrifugal impeller). The blades of the impeller accelerate the air radially outwards, forcing it into the fan housing. The housing then directs the air in the desired direction. This technology enables a centrifugal fan to generate high pressures, ideal for industrial applications.
When should the fan be repaired or serviced?
A fan should be serviced or repaired immediately if there are signs of wear or malfunctions. Typical signs are
- Unusual noises such as rattling, squeaking or vibrations
- Reduced performance, e.g. if the airflow is no longer as strong as usual
- Overheating or other signs that the fan is operating under too high a load
- Error messages
In the best case scenario, regular maintenance should always be carried out proactively, i.e. preventively, so that such problems do not occur in the first place.