In the chemical industry, centrifugal fans face a major issue: corrosion. When exposed to chemical materials for long periods, corrosion is inevitable. Here are four methods to effectively prevent or alleviate corrosion in centrifugal fans.
Centrifugal fans made from different materials are affected by corrosion to varying degrees. Therefore, when selecting a centrifugal fan, the material should be chosen according to the model, first determining the specifications and parameters, considering the corrosion resistance and overall physical properties of each material. The material for strength components should be determined based on cost-effectiveness and other factors, but it must ensure the safety of the material itself.
In addition to the intrinsic material properties, the structural design of the centrifugal fan should also be given high importance. Generally, excellent and detailed designs can greatly increase the lifespan of the equipment. During the design phase, it’s critical to avoid stress concentration tendencies and gaps, as these are design elements that can accelerate the corrosion rate. While metal may be less prone to corrosion when immersed in a solution, once gaps form, localized corrosion can easily occur.
Apart from the initial material selection and structural design, essential surface protection measures should be taken for centrifugal fans. The basic idea is to isolate the fan from corrosive environments. This involves surface treatments like flanges, galvanizing, chrome plating, or chemical coatings, which are usually effective. When dealing with rotating parts of the fan, it is important to consider that base materials and coatings have different coefficients of linear expansion. This difference can lead to deformation when the rotating parts undergo elastic changes, potentially causing cracks. Therefore, the protection methods for rotating parts of centrifugal fans should be differentiated from those of the base materials, and specific protection measures should be taken.