Pneumatic Conveying Fan Selection
How to Select an Industrial Fan for Pneumatic Conveying Systems
Select the fan from the actual system duty-not from fan model or motor power. Material properties, conveying capacity, pipeline geometry, airflow and total system resistance must first be converted into a practical fan operating point.
Material & Capacity
Airflow & Pressure
Operating Point
Fan Configuration
Fan Selection at a Glance
Six Inputs Define the Fan Duty
A reliable pneumatic conveying fan selection follows a defined engineering sequence from material data to the final airflow and pressure operating point.
01
Material
Bulk density, particle size, moisture, abrasiveness, temperature and flowability.
02
Conveying Capacity
Confirm the required material flow rate and whether operation is continuous, intermittent or batch.
03
Pipeline Geometry
Pipe diameter, route length, vertical lift, elbows and equipment define the system resistance path.
04
Required Airflow
Conveying velocity and pipe cross-sectional area establish the required airflow.
05
System Resistance
Include pipeline, elbows, vertical lift, separators, filters and process-equipment losses.
06
Operating Point
Match the required airflow and pressure on the fan performance curve before final selection.
Pneumatic Conveying Fan Selection Workflow
Select the fan from system duty, not from fan model or motor power.
Correct fan selection starts from the required airflow and pressure operating point.
Step 01–02
Start with the Material and Conveying Capacity
The conveyed material directly affects the airflow requirement, wear risk and suitable fan arrangement. Fine powders, coarse granules, abrasive particles and moist or sticky materials can behave very differently inside the same pneumatic conveying line.
Bulk density
Particle size
Moisture
Abrasiveness
Temperature
Flowability
Conveying capacity should be defined in a clear engineering unit such as kg/h, t/h or lb/h. Also confirm whether the system operates continuously, intermittently or in batches.
Why This Matters
Conveying capacity alone is not enough to select a fan. The same material flow rate can require very different airflow and pressure when pipe diameter, conveying distance, material properties or system layout changes.
Step 03
Define the Complete Pipeline Geometry
System resistance depends on the complete conveying route. A short straight pipeline can require much less pressure than a system with the same airflow but multiple elbows, vertical lifts, separation equipment and filters.
● Pipe inside diameter
● Total horizontal pipeline length
● Vertical conveying height
● Number of elbows
● Elbow radius where available
● Feeder type
● Cyclone or separator
● Filter or dust collector
● Final discharge equipment
● Dampers, valves or other restrictions
Material Feed
→
Pipeline
→
Elbows
→
Vertical Lift
→
Separator
→
Filter
Step 04
Determine the Required Airflow
Q = V × A
Q = Airflow
V = Conveying velocity
A = Internal pipe cross-sectional area
This equation establishes the relationship between velocity and airflow. It does not define the correct conveying velocity for every material. Particle size, density, loading, moisture, pipe orientation and deposition risk must also be considered.
Step 05
Calculate Total System Resistance
Pipeline friction
Elbows & fittings
Vertical lift
Material acceleration
Cyclone / separator
Filter resistance
Outlet equipment
Engineering allowance
The fan pressure requirement should represent the complete system resistance at the required airflow-not an isolated duct or equipment pressure value.
Static Pressure vs Total Pressure → Step 06
Match the Fan Operating Point
The important selection point is not maximum airflow or maximum pressure. The fan must deliver the required airflow at the required system pressure under the actual operating condition.
Airflow + Pressure = Fan Selection Point
✓ Confirm fan model and size
✓ Check operating speed
✓ Verify efficiency
✓ Check shaft power and motor power
✓ Confirm suitable operating margin
How to Read a Fan Performance Curve → Do Not Select by:
× Maximum catalog airflow
× Motor power alone
× Fan model name alone
× Pipe diameter alone
Fan Installation Position
Clean-Air Side vs Material-Laden Side
Whenever the process arrangement allows, locating the fan where it handles clean or filtered air can reduce impeller wear, buildup and maintenance risk.
✓ Preferred: Clean-Air Side
Lower impeller wear and erosion risk
Reduced material buildup
Lower maintenance requirement
More stable fan operation
! Requires Review: Material-Laden Side
Impeller abrasion and erosion
Material buildup and imbalance
Higher maintenance frequency
Separate review for combustible-dust risk
In positive-pressure systems the fan may supply relatively clean air upstream of the material feed point. In negative-pressure systems, the fan is commonly located downstream of separation and filtration equipment, so separator and filter resistance must be included in the pressure calculation.
Understand the Complete Pneumatic Conveying Air System → High-Pressure Fan Direction
9-19 or 9-26 High-Pressure Centrifugal Fan?
Select the fan series only after the required airflow and pressure operating point has been established.
9-19 High Pressure Centrifugal Fan
Pressure-first / high-resistance duty
Consider the 9-19 series where overcoming higher system resistance is the primary selection requirement.
✓ High-resistance air systems
✓ Pneumatic conveying air source
✓ Pressure and airflow reviewed together
View 9-19 Fan → 
9-26 High Pressure Centrifugal Fan
Larger airflow + heavier resistance duty
Consider the 9-26 series where the project combines significant system resistance with a larger airflow requirement or heavier operating duty.
✓ High-pressure airflow
✓ Larger conveying airflow demand
✓ Heavy-duty system evaluation
View 9-26 Fan → Final selection must be confirmed from the actual airflow and pressure operating point-not from the application name alone.
After Aerodynamic Selection
Confirm the Mechanical Configuration
01
Impeller / Material
Review wear, buildup and medium compatibility.
02
Drive Arrangement
Confirm direct, belt or coupling arrangement according to the selected fan.
03
Motor
Confirm power, voltage, frequency, phase and starting requirements.
04
Rotation & Outlet
Match fan rotation and outlet angle to the duct and site layout.
05
Foundation & Access
Allow sufficient space for bearings, motor, drive and impeller maintenance.
Common Pneumatic Conveying Fan Selection Mistakes
× Selecting the fan from pipe diameter only
× Selecting airflow without pressure
× Ignoring separator or filter resistance
× Selecting motor power before the operating point
× Allowing abrasive material through the fan without review
× Selecting from maximum catalog performance
RFQ Checklist
Information Required for Fan Selection
The more complete the system data, the more accurately the fan operating point and final configuration can be evaluated.
Material Data
• Material name
• Bulk density
• Particle size
• Moisture content
• Abrasiveness
• Material temperature
• Conveying capacity
Pipeline & System Data
• Pipe diameter
• Horizontal pipeline length
• Vertical lift
• Number of elbows
• Feeder type
• Cyclone / separator
• Filter / dust collector
• Airflow and pressure if known
Fan & Electrical Data
• Installation location
• Clean or material-laden air
• Voltage / frequency / phase
• Quantity
• Rotation
• Outlet direction
• Drive preference
• Continuous / intermittent operation
Frequently Asked Questions
Pneumatic Conveying Fan Selection FAQ
How do I size a fan for pneumatic conveying?
Start by defining the material, conveying capacity, pipeline geometry and required conveying velocity. These establish the airflow requirement. Then calculate the complete system resistance and select the fan from the required airflow and pressure operating point.
How is pneumatic conveying fan airflow determined?
Airflow is related to conveying velocity and pipe cross-sectional area. The basic relationship is Q = V × A, but the correct conveying velocity must be evaluated according to the material and process conditions.
How do I determine the required fan pressure?
Add the pressure losses generated by the complete conveying system, including pipeline friction, elbows, vertical lift, material loading, cyclone or separator, filter and other process equipment.
Should the fan be installed before or after the material separator?
Whenever the process allows, locating the fan where it handles clean or filtered air is generally preferable because it reduces impeller wear, buildup and maintenance risk.
Can powder or granules pass through a centrifugal fan?
It is technically possible in some systems, but direct material contact requires careful review of particle properties, abrasion, buildup, rotor imbalance and safety risks. Clean-air-side installation is preferable when practical.
When should I consider a 9-19 or 9-26 fan?
The 9-19 series can be reviewed where pressure is the dominant requirement. The 9-26 series can be reviewed for heavier duties involving significant pressure together with a larger airflow requirement. The actual operating point must determine final selection.
Can a centrifugal fan replace a positive-displacement blower?
Not in every pneumatic conveying system. Centrifugal fans are suitable only within their airflow and pressure operating range. Dense-phase or very high-pressure conveying may require a different type of air-moving equipment.
What information should I send for pneumatic conveying fan selection?
Provide the material properties, conveying capacity, pipe diameter, horizontal and vertical distances, number of elbows, separator and filter information, required airflow and pressure if available, electrical supply and an existing process or pipeline drawing.
Related Pneumatic Conveying & Fan Selection Resources
Continue with related system design, pressure and fan selection guidance.
Application Guide
Industrial Pneumatic Conveying Air System →
Understand positive-pressure and negative-pressure conveying layouts, system components and fan installation positions.
Performance Guide
How to Read a Fan Performance Curve →
Learn how airflow, pressure, efficiency and power are checked at the required fan operating point.
Pressure Guide
Static Pressure vs Total Pressure →
Understand the pressure terminology used when defining fan duty and total system resistance.
Selection Center
Industrial Fan Selection Guide →
Continue to QIYUE’s general fan selection guidance for airflow, pressure, medium, motor and installation requirements.
Need Help Selecting a Pneumatic Conveying Fan?
Send QIYUE your material, conveying capacity, pipeline layout, airflow, pressure and electrical requirements. Our technical team can review the system duty and recommend a suitable centrifugal fan series and configuration.