For industrial airflow management it is crucial to select the right exhaust fans. Two widely used ventilation solutions across different industrial sectors are Axial and Centrifugal Exhaust Fans. While both
exhaust fans are used for the same purpose but their design, pressure handling and applications varies widely. Here, BigVent Fans will provide you with everything you need to know about Axial vs Centrifugal Exhaust Fans, their key features & applications and which one is better for your industry.
What Is an Exhaust Fan?
As a kind of electrical ventilation fan, an exhaust fan works to remove stale air, moisture, smoke and odours from a closed-in area (bathroom/kitchen) by sending these contaminants outside. By creating an area of negative pressure, the fan helps improve the quality of the air inside and decreases the potential build up of humidity.
Types of Exhaust Fans Function: To remove moisture, odors, and pollutants for effective ventilation
Locations: Found in both industrial and residential settings (kitchens, bathrooms) to remove smoke/heat (in kitchens) and steam (in bathrooms).
Advantages: Helps prevent mould growth, reduces humidity and removes unwanted smells from the home.
How: By utilising rotating blades which draw air from the room and then blow that same air outside, most often through ductwork.
Understanding Axial Exhaust Fans
A type of fan that pushes or pulls air through an area using the same airflow direction as the fan shaft (internal or axial) is known as an axial fan. In terms of their operation, they work like a propeller. Their blades rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to their shaft; therefore, they pull air in and push it out on the same pathway.
How It Works?
- Air enters into the axial fan along the axis of the rotor.
- The rotor creates a lift force on the air by pushing it away from the rotor.
- As air is pushed away from the rotor, it exits in the same manner that it entered.
- Axial fans are best utilized when placed in paths with low resistance to airflow.
Key Characteristics of Axial Fans
- The ability to produce Large Stationary Airflow Volumes (CFM)
- Low Profile Design/Lightweight Design
- Compact and easy to install
- Energy efficient for applications requiring low pressure production
Benefits of Axial Fans
- Ventilating very large industrial spaces.
- Ventilating heat/humidity away from these spaces.
- Simple to Install on Walls, Roofs, or Panels.
- Minimal Maintenance Required.
- Low Cost Solutions for Ventilation.
What are the Common Industrial Applications of Axial Exhaust Fans
- Warehouses and logistics centers
- Manufacturing and assembly units
- Power plants and substations
- Parking garages
- Textile and packaging industries
Understanding Centrifugal Exhaust Fans
The centrifugal exhaust fan is a type of mechanical ventilation unit which uses centrifugal force to move ambient air through a fan. Unlike axial-type fans where the air exits straight through the centre of the fan and at a 90-degree angle (measured in degrees) away from the intake, the centrifugal-style design allows for increased static pressure (force applied to push air through tubes). Therefore, they are used when an air flow system has a highly complicated configuration.
How Centrifugal Exhaust Fans Work?
- The fan pulls ambient air into its impeller through the inlet pipe.
- The impeller spins causing the ambient air to spin outward using centrifugal force.
- Ambient air moves back through the outlet of the centrifugal exhaust fan.
- The pressure build-up helps move the ambient air through ductwork, filters and bends more effectively.
Key Characteristics of Centrifugal Exhaust Fans
- High static pressure capabilities
- Heavy Duty
- Efficient operation in ducted systems
- Dust, fume and contaminated air handling capabilities
- Various impeller designs for a variety of needs
Advantages of Centrifugal Exhaust Fans
- Good performance in high resistance areas.
- Ideal for long duct runs and complex ventilation systems.
- Compatible with filters, scrubbers and other air treatment equipment
- Allows better air flow control and consistent speeds
- Last longer in harsh environments with low maintenance cost.
What are the Common Industrial Applications of Centrifugal Exhaust Fans?
- Chemical and petrochemical plants
- Pharmaceutical and cleanroom facilities
- Cement and mining industries
- Food processing and packaging units
- HVAC and air handling systems
What are the Key Differences Between Axial and Centrifugal Exhaust Fans?
Here are some of the key differences between axial and centrifugal exhaust fans, which include the following:
| Feature | Axial Fan | Centrifugal Fan |
| Airflow Direction | Parallel to the shaft | 90° (radial) airflow |
| Air Volume | High | Low to medium |
| Static Pressure | Low | High |
| Best For | Open, low resistance ventilation | Long ducts, high resistance systems |
| Design | Compact & lightweight | Large & robust |
| Noise Level | Higher at high speeds | Lower in high pressure use |
| Cost | More affordable | Higher initial cost |
| Installation | Simple | Complex |
Which Fan Is Better for Your Industry?
To help in the selection, here are some key points that states which fan would work best for specific industrial requirements:
- Dirty High Heat Environments: Centrifugal Exhaust Fans are the best fan options when working in very dirty environments with heavy particulate matter, high-pressure environments and fumes.
- General Ventilation & Cooling: Axial fan types are best for creating a very fast-medium speed airflow with lower pressure in industrial areas.
Why Choose Bigvent Fans for Industrial Exhaust Solutions?
BigVent Fans is well known for delivering quality industrial cooling and ventilation solutions. Some of the key reasons to choose BigVent Fans for industrial Exhaust solutions include:
- High quality, industrial grade fan systems
- Reliable axial and centrifugal exhaust solutions
- Energy efficient and durable designs
- Custom built ventilation for industrial needs
Final Verdict: Axial or Centrifugal?
To sum up everything that has been stated so far, the above given information on the topic “Axial vs Centrifugal Exhaust Fans: Which One Is Better for Your Industry?” states the key differences between Axial exhaust fans and Centrifugal Exhaust Fans, their key features and applications. Both the exhaust fans are application specific – axial fans are ideal for large spaces, whereas centrifugal fans are suitable for industrial spaces. If you are also looking for efficient exhaust fans, feel free to contact BigVent Fans by dialling
+91 78618 67019 or emailing
info@bigventfans.com. Visit BigVent Fans Website Today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Axial vs Centrifugal Exhaust Fans
Question 1. Which type of exhaust fan is best suited for the industrial market, axial or centrifugal?
Answer: Axial and centrifugal exhaust fans are both equally valid choices of exhaust fan types when being used in an industrial setting. Axial fans are the most efficient option for moving large volumes of air in large open spaces, whereas centrifugal fans outperform our axial fans when we require moving air under a high level of static pressure, or in cases where filtration is needed, or when dealing with distant ducting. Question 2. Are Cyclone fans more powerful than Axial fans?
Answer: Cyclone fans and Axial fans are not necessarily more powerful than each other, but they excel at different types of airflow; Cyclone fans perform much better than our Axial fans in an environment where an airflow is experienced with a high level of resistance. Therefore, Cyclone fans will move more pounds of air per hour than Axial fans. Question 3. Which Exhaust Fan model is ideal for handling dust/fume contaminants?
Answer: Cyclone exhaust fans are more effective at handling these types of air pollutants/products than axial exhaust fans, due to their increased pressure-generating capacity and their ability to use filtering and scrubbing processes. Question 4. How to select the correct exhaust fan for my industry?
Answer: When determining which exhaust fan is suitable for your industry, consider your required airflow levels, the amount of static pressure required to be created, the duct lengths involved, types of contaminants, efficiency expectations and budget. In order to achieve the best fan based on these specific factors, it is highly recommended that customers work with a ventilation specialist such as Bigvent Fans. 
