This seminar covers principles of fan application engineering in an online hybrid learning environment: live instructor-led courses and question-and-answer discussions complemented by self-paced online learning modules. The class size is limited to allow for plenty of one-on-one interaction with the instructors.
To be held online on Fridays, March 7, March 14, March 21, and March 28, 2025, this course is an excellent learning opportunity for fan engineers, sales representatives, and service coordinators of all levels.
Why You Should Attend:
The in-depth knowledge gained from this course will enable participants to design efficient and reliable fan systems and analyze existing systems to spot opportunities for improvement.
Who Should Attend:
Perfect for new or junior engineers working for consulting firms and fan manufacturers, sales representatives and product managers as part of onboarding, and experienced engineers who may have picked up bits and pieces of fan application engineering along their career path and wish to fill in the gaps in a more systematic manner.
Schedule:
Fridays, March 7 (9 a.m. to noon CST), March 14 (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CDT), March 21 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT), and March 28 (9 a.m. to noon CDT), 2025.
If you have a scheduling conflict, let the instructors know so they can work with you to keep you caught up with the rest of the class. In addition to the scheduled times, participants need to schedule approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per week to complete the self-paced online modules.
|
Week 1 Live |
Fan and System Curves, Pressure Considerations in Fan Systems |
• 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CST: Live webcast—Getting Started and Introductions |
|
Week 1 Online |
Fan Affinity Laws, Motors |
Self-paced online module—Simplified Affinity Laws (50 minutes) |
|
Week 2 Live |
Centrifugal- and Axial-Fan Types, |
• 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. CDT: Online-course review and discussion, Q&A |
|
Week 2 Online |
Fan-System Controls |
Self-paced online module—Fan-System Controls (120 minutes) |
|
Week 3 Live |
Pressure Losses and Duct Systems, System Effect |
• 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CDT: Online-course review and discussion, Q&A |
|
Week 3 Online |
Power and Efficiency of Fans, |
Self-paced online module—Power and Efficiency (45 minutes) |
|
Week 4 Live |
Fan Selection, Certified Ratings, Course Review |
• 9 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. CDT: Live webcast—Fan Selection |
Professional credit:
Eighteen (18) professional-development hours (PDH) will be awarded upon completion of all program requirements, which include attendance for all live online sessions, completion of all self-paced modules, and completion of a post-course survey.
Reference information included with course:
In addition to course-specific workbooks and notes, you will receive a digital copy of the AMCA Fan Application Manual (AMCA publications 200, Air Systems; 201, Fans and Systems; 202, Troubleshooting; and 203, Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems).
Cost:
Register Now using the form below
About the Instructors
Ron Wroblewski, PE
As president of Productive Energy Solutions, Ron Wroblewski, PE, helps owners and operators of industrial and commercial facilities increase productivity and profitability by making more effective use of their fan, pump, and blower systems. He is senior industrial-fan-systems-optimization trainer for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and designer and presenter of online and in-person educational courses for Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International. As part of his work for the DOE, UNIDO, and AMCA International, he has designed and presented seminars around the world.
William (Bill) Howarth
The president of Ventilation & Fan Consulting Service International LLC, William (Bill) Howarth has more than 30 years of experience in the fan-and-blower industry, including application, engineering, sales, testing, technical support, and vibration analysis for process and original-equipment-manufacturer customers. He is a member of the U.S. delegation for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 117, Fans. For more than 20 years, he has been an instructor for the annual North Carolina Industrial Ventilation Course and in 2022 was named the John “Pat” Curran Instructor of the Year. He provides system analysis, training, and support at customer locations.
What others have said about the instructors and this course:
“Thanks, Ron. You have a natural gift for teaching. I’ve gained so much valuable knowledge from your courses.” Barry, consulting engineer, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 30 years’ experience
“Although I have been working for a fan manufacturer for many years, this course helped me see things from a fresh perspective and filled in gaps in my knowledge. This stuff makes a lot more sense now.” Andrew, fan manufacturing engineer, Ontario, Canada, 10 years’ experience
“As a new engineer with a fan company, I have learned so much from this course. Thank you.” Brian, fan manufacturing engineer, Ontario, Canada, new hire
About Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International:
As the world’s leading authority on fan systems, AMCA International has issued dozens of publications and standards concerning all aspects of fan design, as well as standards and guidelines for in-situ and laboratory testing of fan systems. Specifying a fan with an AMCA certified rating ensures that your client gets the necessary airflow and pressure without exceeding allowable noise and power specifications.
For more information about this course or to arrange a private course for your organization, contact [email protected].
Course information
Detailed description of each module
Module | Description |
Fan and System Curves | Fan and system curves are graphical tools used to analyze performance and understand a fan’s response in a particular system. This webinar defines the common language used to explain and discuss all aspects of fan performance. Also, it introduces the U.S. Department of Energy's MEASUR software tool and explains how it can be used to analyze fan systems. 70-minute webinar |
| Pressure Considerations in Fan Systems | This session provides valuable insights into standard air calculations, the role of pressure in fan systems, identification of pressure sources and losses, and techniques for calculating velocity pressure. Whether you are involved in fan manufacturing, fan-system design, operation, or maintenance, this webinar will enhance your understanding of pressure dynamics and help you optimize the performance and efficiency of your fan systems. |
| Fan Affinity Laws Simplified | The performance of a fan is defined by the flow, pressure, and power draw of the fan. The fan affinity laws (also called the fan laws, for short) are a set of interrelated equations that predict the performance of a fan under varying designs and conditions. In this self-guided course, you will apply a simplified set of affinity laws to predict fan-performance changes attributed to changes in rotational speed and changes in density compared with catalog conditions and predict changes in fan performance attributed to speed and density changes. |
Motors | The motor is a key part of any fan system. This short self-guided course examines critical characteristics of NEMA motors to give you a foundation of knowledge for applying motors in fan, pump, and blower systems. Allow at least 45 minutes for completing this course. |
Centrifugal- and Axial-Fan Characteristics | Different styles and types of fans are designed to serve different purposes and different end uses. This webinar explains the major types of fans and common applications for which they are best suited. 60-minute webinar |
| Losses in Elbows and Ducts | Understanding the dynamics of airflow is crucial for the design of efficient duct systems. This session will explore velocity-pressure calculation, loss coefficients, equivalent duct diameter, and turbulent flow. Learn practical techniques for calculating duct pressure loss and identifying efficient elbow design based on radius-to-diameter ratio and the impact of multiple elbows on pressure loss. Join us to enhance your understanding and optimize duct-system performance. |
| Fan-System Controls | At a given rotational speed and fan pressure, centrifugal fans develop a constant volume of airflow. Because of uncertainties in the final layout and construction of ductwork, combined with the prospect of critical or changing process needs, many fans are selected to deliver more pressure and flow than what an industrial process or air-conditioning system requires. Some sort of control must then be employed to reduce the airflow to the desired level. In this self-guided course, you will explore common methods used to vary the flow capacity of a fan, such as speed control, outlet dampers, inlet dampers, and inlet vane control. Your knowledge of these methods will allow you to accurately estimate and compare the power among the different methods. With this skill, you can accurately predict the possible savings of changing to a more efficient method. |
| Pressure Losses and Duct Systems | Losses in ductwork are only one aspect of the pressure a fan must overcome to perform successfully. In this webinar, the instructors will estimate losses in ductwork, introduce special considerations for estimating losses across filters and cooling coils, and demonstrate the ASHRAE tool for estimating losses in duct fittings. Losses for an entire system, including acceleration losses and hood losses, will be introduced. |
| System Effect in Fan Systems | Sometimes, good fans end up being installed poorly, resulting in deficient fan performance. In this webinar, the instructors will describe system effect, explore situations that can cause system effect, and look at some analytical tools to quantify the impact on fan performance. 90-minute webinar |
Power and Compressibility of Fans | The fan-power law defines the fundamental engineering relationship between four key indicators of fan performance: fan flow rate, fan static (or total) pressure, fan power, and fan static (or total) efficiency. In this self-guided course, you will work with the elements of the fan-power-law equation and explore how they interact. You also will practice calculating compressibility factor and fan electrical and mechanical power. Allow at least 75 minutes for completing this course. |
Fan Affinity Laws Advanced | Building off the simplified affinity-laws course, this module explores the subtleties of analyzing the affinity laws with high-pressure (over 3000 Pa or 12 in. w.g.) systems. In high-pressure systems, compressibility factor must be calculated. Usually, when rotational speed or density changes, compressibility factor also changes. In this course, changes to compressibility factor are considered and a method from ANSI/AMCA Standard 210/ASHRAE Standard 51, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating, for calculating compressibility factor is presented. Allow at least 50 minutes for completing this course. |
Certified Ratings and Fan Selection | In this session, the instructors discuss tips for selecting proper fan size, giving examples from manufacturers' selection programs. To achieve desired airflow and pressure rating without exceeding a power specification or allowable noise, the session goes over the importance of specifying an AMCA-rated fan and what it means when a fan is AMCA-rated. |
Whom Do I Contact?Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.