Engineering Fundamentals.

Flow:
Quantity of gas passing a specific point for specific time period. Flow maybe expressed in two
basic ways:

 Mass Flow: Generally expressed in pounds per minute. This must be converted to volume flow in
order to select blower. This is accomplished by dividing the mass flow by the specific weight. See
definition of inlet density (Specific weight).

 Volume Flow: Generrally expressed in terms of Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). The two most
common expressions of volume flow are:

 SCFM: Represents standard cubic feet per minute and is defined by the Compressed Air
and Gas Institute as a specific volume measured at 14.7 PSIA, 68° F and 36 % relative
humidity. SCFM must always be converted to ICFM in order to properly select (size) a
blower, if the actual blower inlet conditions differ from the above “Standard”.

 ICFM: Represents “Inlet Cubic Feet per Minute” and is that flow volume which exists at
blower inlet port, measured at absolute pressure and temperature.

Absolute Pressure.

The arithmetic sum of gauge and barometric pressures. This value must be used in all calculations. , Stated
as pounds per square inch absolute (PSIA).

Absolute Pressure Ratio (APR).

Ratio of Absolute discharge to absolute inlet pressure. APR produces differential temperature
(temperature rise) and is used in calculating equivalent sea level pressure.

Absolute Temperature.

The arithmetic sum of degrees Fahrenheit and 460. This value must be used in all calculations. Stated as
degrees Rankine (°R).

Differential Pressure (𝜟𝑷)


Total Pressure Difference from one point to another.

Differential Temperature (𝜟𝑻)


Total Temperature Difference from one point to another.
Inlet Density (Specific Weight)

The weight in pounds of a specific volume of gas (One cubic foot). Stated as Pounds per Cubic Foot (lb/ft³)
at absolute pressure and temperature conditions existing at blower inlet. Three basic factors affect
density:

1. Absolute Pressure
2. Absolute Temperature
3. Gas Specific Gravity

Specific Gravity

The ratio of gas molecular weight to molecular weight of reference gas (usually air).
Air molecular weight = 28.966; Specific Gravity = 1.0.

Displacement:

Usually expressed in CFM and is the product individual compression cell geometry, number of cells and
rotor speed. Can also be stated as total swept volume per unit of time. Actual inlet volume (ICFM) is
displacement minus slip losses.

Displacement Per Revolution (DPR).

The volume displaced by one revolution of the blower input (drive) shaft, and is stated as Cubic Feet per
Revo1ution (CFR) .

Slip:

Internal leakage of compressed gas back to blower inlet through internal running clearances, expressed
in ICFM. Three basic factors affect slip:

 Inlet Density (Specific Weight)

 Differential Pressure
 Blower Speed (RPM)

RPM

Revolutions per minute of blower input shaft. The total RPM required to produce both ICFM and slip
CFM at a given set of operating conditions.
Brake Horsepower (BHP)

Total horsepower input required to drive a blower under specific performance conditions.

Equivalent Sea Level Pressure (ESLP):

Used to determine required BHP and temperature rise (𝜟𝑻) when blower is operating at non-standard
operating conditions, on pressure service.

ESLP = (APR – 1.0) x 14.7 psia = psig

Equivalent Sea Level Vacuum (ESLV):

Used to determine required BHP and temperature rise when blower is operating at non-standard
conditions on vacuum service.

ESLV = 29.92” – (29.92”/ APR) = Inches HG gauge