Two mirror-image industrial fans for ‘Steves & Sons’ in the USA

Redundant dryer fans for Steves & Sons (USA)

For the US company Steves & Sons (a sister company), Siempelkamp Industrial Fans supplied two high-strength, mirror-image constructed drying fans. These units are designed for use at temperatures up to 300 °C and ensure process stability through their redundant design. With an impeller diameter of 2,200 mm and a power rating of 725 kW each, they form the heart of the drying system.

Challenge: Process Safety and Temperature Resistance in the US Market

The project at Steves & Sons in the USA required drying fans that not only efficiently move very large air volumes but also had to operate thermally stable at up to 300 °C. A central concern was redundancy: the failure of one fan must not stop the drying process, which necessitated the development of two identical, mirror-image units. The specific requirements for airflow – especially the inlet over a suction bag – as well as the necessity for a high-strength impeller material for longevity, placed high demands on the design.

Siempelkamp Expertise: Material Selection and System-Integrated Design

The Siempelkamp engineers applied their expertise in the design of drying technology to master these challenges. To withstand the thermal load, an impeller made of a high-strength material was chosen, which offers both the necessary rigidity for the 2,200 mm impeller diameter and guarantees operational reliability at 300 °C. The aerodynamic design, based on CFD analyses, optimized the operating point with a volume flow of 305,000 m³/h at 5,300 Pa pressure for the respective drive power of 725 kW.

Added Value through Full Service: Integration and Future-Proofing

A significant added value for the customer lay in the forward-looking system integration. The fans were designed to harmonize optimally with the customer-planned casing thermal insulation. This minimizes heat loss and ensures improved energy efficiency. Furthermore, the Made in Germany construction guarantees a long service life and reduces the need for demanding service in the USA. As part of the full-service portfolio, the interface to the suction bag (inlet) was also designed in detail to prevent local turbulence and associated wear.