Please update your browser.

It looks like you are using an old version of the Microsoft Edge browser. To get the best experience with the Busch website, please update your browser.

Efficient, quiet, and robust: Air blowers are the ideal choice for processes that need air flow at a constant differential pressure. Whether aquaculture, wastewater treatment, or pneumatic conveying, Busch has the right blower for your application.

When you need air flow in your process, you have the choice between an air blower and a compressor. The difference is in the pressure: Compressors compact air into a small space, making the air denser. Air blowers, on the other hand, only move it by increasing the pressure slightly. As a result, the pressure ratio of a blower is much lower than that of a compressor, making them cheaper and more energy efficient to run. If you need a solution with higher pressure, you will find all relevant information about compressors.

Industrial air blowers from Busch

Operating principle of air blowers

Put simply, blowers work by trapping air to increase its pressure, then releasing it. The exact operating principle depends on the type of blower.

Types of industrial air blowers

rotary_lobe_technology_animation_2d_thumnbnail

Rotary lobe blowers

The rotary lobe blower is a type of positive displacement blower and operates according to the Roots principle. It produces a high air flow at a low pressure. Inside a cylindrical housing, two rotary lobes are mounted in parallel. These three-bladed lobes rotate in opposite directions. The rotation of the lobes traps the air or gas in the space between the rotors and the housing, then transports it to the outlet. There, the air is released, now at a higher pressure.
side_channel_technology_animation_2d_thumnbnail

Side channel blowers

Side channel blowers transfer the kinetic energy of a rotating impeller to the air or gas and convert it into pressure. The impeller is mounted on the shaft of the motor. Together with the specially shaped housing, it forms the side channel.

The air or gas is drawn into the side channel and compressed. Single-stage side channel blowers discharge it after one rotation. Two-stage versions convey it to the second stage after one rotation. Here, it is compressed again and discharged afterwards. This leads to higher differential pressures.

A side channel blower provides variable airflow at a lower pressure than a rotary lobe blower, but at a higher pressure than a fan.

Need a blower?

Use our product finder to find the right blower for your application.

Technical considerations for selecting air blowers

To decide which blower your process needs, a thorough analysis of your application is of the utmost importance. Key factors that should be considered are:
compressors_landingpage_1

Flow and pressure

You should select a blower that produces only the pressure you need for your process. This reduces energy consumption and increases efficiency, thus giving lower operating costs than a blower or compressor that runs at a higher capacity.
compressors_landingpage_2

Operating conditions

The conditions in which the blower will operate may influence your decision. Technology with a small footprint is ideal if there is little room on the production floor. And other factors, such as levels of dust, humidity, and heat, should also be taken into account.
compressors_landingpage_3

Initial outlay vs. ROI

The lowest purchase price does not necessarily mean the lowest operating costs. When deciding which blower to purchase, you should consider both the initial investment and the operating costs over the blower’s life cycle to get the maximal return on investment. Energy efficiency can play a role here: Energy-efficient technology may require a higher initial outlay, but will result in lower long-term energy costs.
compressors_landingpage_4

Noise levels

Where is the blower located in relation to people? Close proximity means the need for a quieter blower to maintain a comfortable working environment. Blowers from Busch have internal silencers, making them the ideal choice for an installation in the immediate vicinity of workstations. This also has a positive impact on installation costs: There is no need for specially soundproofed areas or long piping.
compressors_landingpage_5

Service and support

How much servicing will your blower require and what levels of service do the manufacturers provide? Some older blower technologies may require units to be taken back to the manufacturer to be serviced, repaired, or refurbished. Long periods of downtime are the result. Blowers from Busch have low-maintenance components, such as lifetime-lubricated bearings and contact-free impellers. This ensures that annual servicing is minimal.

Main uses for air blowers

Compressed air at a low pressure is needed for a variety of industrial applications. These include pneumatic conveying, wastewater treatment, and aquaculture:

FAQ

How do air blowers work?

Blowers work by increasing air pressure. The exact operating principle depends on the type of blower. A side channel blower transfers the kinetic energy of a rotating impeller to the air or gas and converts it into pressure. A rotary lobe blower operates differently. Two three-bladed lobes operate in opposite directions. The rotation of the lobes traps the air or gas, compresses it, and transports it to the next stage or the outlet.

What are aeration blowers?

Aeration blowers are used in wastewater treatment. They provide aeration to promote aerobic digestion and keep solids suspended in activated sludge tanks. There is no specific blower technology used for aeration: the name refers only to the blower application.

What are industrial blowers?

Industrial blowers are machines that provide a large flow of air or gas for a specific industrial application. This air is at a slightly higher pressure than ambient air and is concentrated in one specific direction. This name refers to the application, not a specific blower technology.

What is the difference between a fan and a blower?

Both fans and blowers circulate air. A fan moves air or gas with a very low increase in pressure, and usually circulates air throughout a wide area, such as a room. A blower, on the other hand, concentrates the air flow in one specific direction at a slightly higher pressure.

What is the difference between a compressor and blower?

While both a compressor and a blower create overpressure, they use different methods and give different results. A blower uses a slight increase in pressure to push the gas in a certain direction. A compressor raises the pressure of the gas by compressing it into a small space, making it denser.

What is the difference between a vacuum pump and a blower?

The difference is in the pressure. A blower is used when overpressure is needed (blowing), whereas a vacuum pump is used when suction is required.

What is the difference between a leaf blower and industrial and aeration blowers?

Leaf blowers and industrial blowers work on the same principle and use the same technology – only the way they are installed is different. Industrial and aeration blowers are permanently installed industrial equipment and may use any form of blower technology. A leaf blower is a type of centrifugal blower that has been specifically designed to move leaves in a garden or public space. It must therefore be portable, reasonably light, and simple to use.

AIR BLOWERS FROM BUSCH IN PRACTICE