Building on the instructors’ popular “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering I: Foundations,” this seminar covers the analysis of fan- and blower-system performance in an online hybrid learning environment, including live instructor-led courses and question-and-answer discussions complemented by self-paced online learning modules. The class size is limited to 35 people to allow for plenty of one-on-one interaction with the instructors.
Meeting online on Fridays, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, and Nov. 1, 2024, 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 analyze and troubleshoot fan and blower systems to optimize efficiency.
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. Completion of “Fan Applications Engineering Foundations” is suggested but not required.
Schedule:
Fridays, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, and Nov. 1, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon CDT (GMT -5).
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 several hours per week to complete the self-paced online modules.
Week 1 Live |
Selecting and Specifying the Best Fan for an Application; Diagnosing and Identifying Sources of Fan Problems |
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CT: Live webcast—Getting Started and Introductions |
Week 1 Online |
Psychrometrics for Fan Systems |
Self-paced online module, “Psychrometrics for Fan Systems” (120 minutes). |
Week 2 Live |
Fan-System Troubleshooting |
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CT: Online-course review and discussion, Q&A |
Week 2 Online |
Heat Recovery in Industrial and Commercial Fan Systems |
Self-paced online module, “Heat Recovery in Industrial and Commercial Fan Systems (120 minutes). |
Week 3 Live |
Bearings in Fan Systems; Balance Quality and Vibration |
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CT: Online-course review and discussion, Q&A |
Week 3 Online |
Intro to FEI; Calculating FEI |
Self-paced online module, “Intro to FEI” (90 minutes); self-paced online module, “Calculating FEI” (150 minutes) |
Week 4 Live |
Belts and Couplings; VFDs in Fan Systems | 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT: Live webcast—“Belts and Couplings” |
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 digital copies of ANSI/AMCA standards 99, Standards Handbook, and 204, Balance Quality and Vibration Levels for Fans, and AMCA Publication 202, Troubleshooting.
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 "Fan Applications Engineering Foundations":
“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 |
Selecting and Specifying the Best Fan for an Application |
Many factors go into selecting and specifying a fan, including form factor, size, speed, impeller shape, and bearing arrangement. This module reviews the basics of using computerized fan-selection software and delves into details that can vex a specifying engineer, such as fan construction and configuration, bearing and impeller arrangement, and which accessories and options to include. It also introduces ANSI/AMCA Standard 99-16, Standards Handbook, and covers terms and suggested language to use when writing a fan specification. 60-minute webinar |
| Diagnosing and Identifying Sources of Fan Problems | The first step in troubleshooting fan-system performance is to look at what the motor is doing. This course covers how to interpret voltage and current (amps) readings from an electrician to gain insight on performance issues. It also covers common situations one might encounter and how to gather the information needed to identify potential sources of a problem, such as too much or too little airflow and too much or too little pressure, and provide an overview of AMCA Publication 202, Troubleshooting. 90-minute webinar |
| Psychrometrics for Fan Systems | The performance of a fan is directly related to the density of the gas the fan is delivering. Because of this, psychrometrics, the study of mixtures of air and water vapor, is a fundamental building block of fan application engineering. In this self-guided course, you will explore psychrometric properties such as dry bulb, wet bulb, relative humidity, dew point, and humidity ratio. Knowledge of these properties will allow you to accurately calculate density and give you other skills useful in fan application engineering, such as avoiding condensation that can rot a fan and ductwork. Allow at least 120 minutes to complete this course. |
Fan-System Troubleshooting |
This session dives deeper into the content of AMCA Publication 202, Troubleshooting. It examines inoperability, high noise levels, premature failure, and excessive vibration. It also examines probable causes of fan problems, such as backward rotation, missing cutoff, and improper assembly. 150-minute webinar |
Heat Recovery in Industrial and Commercial Fan Systems |
In many fan systems, the electrical energy used to drive the motor is a small fraction of the thermal energy carried by the air or gas. When this thermal energy is wasted or dumped to atmosphere, it can represent a huge opportunity for energy savings through heat recovery. This course introduces five strategies for thermal energy recovery—heat wheel, air to air, air to water, water to air, and glycol run-around—and includes a method for estimating potential energy savings. Allow 120 minutes to complete this course |
| Bearings in Fan Systems | By supporting the fan impeller and allowing it to spin freely about its axis, bearings play a critical role in the reliable and efficient operation of a fan system. A well-selected and properly maintained bearing will provide decades of problem-free service. This course examines the different types of rolling bearings typically used in fan systems, including their advantages and disadvantages. 60-minute webinar |
| Balance Quality and Vibration | This module examines the theory and practice of balancing a rotating mass, how to interpret vibration readings, and general guidelines for successful vibration-isolation strategies. It also looks at the sources of vibration in fan systems. The course is based on ANSI/AMCA Standard 204, Balance Quality and Vibration Levels for Fans, and ASHRAE standards. 90-minute webinar |
| Intro to FEI; Calculating FEI | Fan energy index (FEI) is the ratio of the electrical power of a reference fan to the electrical power of an actual fan, both calculated at a given airflow and pressure duty point. FEI enables specifiers to make meaningful comparisons of fans very quickly. This training explores the background and engineering methods used to determine FEI ratings and includes an explanation of how to calculate reference fan electrical power, actual fan electrical power, and FEI. Allow 90 minutes to complete the introductory module and 120 minutes to complete the calculation module |
| System Effect in Fan Systems | Sometimes, good fans end up being installed poorly, resulting in deficient fan performance. This course describes system effect, explores situations that can cause system effect, and looks at analytical tools for quantifying impacts on fan performance. 90-minute webinar |
Belts and Couplings |
The means of transmitting power from a motor to a fan will have a large impact on the configuration and, in some cases, performance of the fan. This session examines the various arrangements used in fan systems, different types of belts and pulleys and their losses, different types of couplings, and application considerations for various drive types. 30-minute webinar |
VFDs in Fan Systems |
This module covers the basic methodology for estimating the benefits and savings of using a variable-frequency drive (VFD) and provides guidance for steering clear of common installation errors. It also discusses power-quality problems VFD users might face, the impact of VFDs on motors and starting, and devices that can help minimize power-quality issues. 120-minute webinar |
Whom Do I Contact?Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.