More power and higher efficiencies in the smallest space

Chairman Peter Fenkl presents the new radial fan ZAvblue. (Photo: ZIEHL-ABEGG / Achim Köpf)

Radial fan ZAvblue (Photo: ZIEHL-ABEGG / Achim Köpf)

The fan expert Ziehl-Abegg introduces a new radial fan that sets new benchmarks in air performance and space minimization. The efficiency of the new impeller ZAvblue is up to 20 percent better than typical market products. At the same time, the new development from Ziehl-Abegg requires significantly less installation volume in customer equipment due to its bionic design. Equipment planners can now generate the existing volume flow with impellers that are smaller in size.

The ZAvblue can be used for supply and exhaust ventilation (roof fans, duct fans, channel fans), for precision climate devices (cooling data centers), as well as in cleanrooms, heat pumps, or compact climate systems. The ZAvblue is specially optimized to deliver very high efficiencies at high volume flows even under tight installation conditions.

“The bionic blade design enables users to significantly reduce energy consumption while also considerably decreasing the costly space requirement for the fan unit,” promises CEO Peter Fenkl. The space savings are made possible by a bionic lightweight construction that maintains strength. The new development is patent pending.

Since the new fan features standard connection sizes (albeit with better air performance), customers can quickly switch from currently common products to the more efficient ZAvblue. “The new fan is designed so that it has the same minimal height with both AC and EC motors,” emphasizes Fenkl. This is possible because the ZAvblue can be equipped with either AC motor technology or EC motor technology using an adapted adapter, without requiring significant modifications to the device. “The impeller meets the latest EU energy-saving standards with both AC and ECblue motors,” adds Ziehl-Abegg’s CEO.

Overview of innovations

• Very high efficiencies at high volume flows
  - Low installation space requirement due to compact dimensions
  - Blade design allows very close spacing between fan and housing (pressure-side walls close to the impeller)
  - Resource efficiency: weight savings through bionic lightweight construction while maintaining strength
  - Increased volume flow and reduced noise (through bionic flow blade design)
  - Lower weight increases the lifespan of motor and bearings
  - Due to the special impeller design, either the size or the rotational speed can be reduced in customer equipment, decreasing power consumption
  - Customers can switch from AC motor technology to EC motor technology via an adapter due to the lower overall height, without significant modifications to their device

Implementation of insights from the 'Tree Whisperer'

The developers at Ziehl-Abegg drew inspiration from Professor Claus Mattheck. Known as the "Tree Whisperer" or "Tree Pope" by the media, he bridges the gap between nature and technology: as a pioneer in bionics, he translates biological processes into technical products.

How is this implemented in the ZAvblue fan? The seven blades of the radial fan terminate both in the top and bottom discs just as trees grow upwards: not at right angles, but with a slight radius at the base. This is difficult to see with the naked eye; the branch-like extensions inspired by trees are too small. Nevertheless, these bionic approaches provide the same strength at the blade transitions as heavy wings.

For the first time, the approach of Prof. Claus Mattheck has been incorporated into fan development with the ZAvblue. The radial fan is also equipped with a bionic flow blade design already proven by Ziehl-Abegg: the blade wheels are curved like bird wings and have a tapered, streamlined edge.

Collaborative effort of experts in aerodynamics and toolmaking

What sounds simple was an approximately two-year iterative process between aerodynamics experts, lightweight construction specialists, and toolmaking experts. The design of a fan ultimately depends on what the tools in an injection molding machine can produce. Therefore, not only did the fan developers have to innovate, but the toolmakers also had to develop complex tooling technology with numerous interlocking slides. The ZAvblue fan is thus ultimately a collaborative work of experts from multiple disciplines.