Regenerative blowers move low-pressure air effectively

Regenerative blowers are ideal for moving large volumes of air at low pressures or vacuums. Unlike positive displacement compressors and vacuum pumps, they pressurize air through a nonpositive displacement method.


Regenerative blowers are ideal for moving large volumes of air at low pressures or vacuums. Unlike positive displacement compressors and vacuum pumps, they pressurize air through a nonpositive displacement method. Typical regenerative blower applications include sewage aeration, vacuum lifting, vacuum packaging, pneumatic conveying, concrete aeration, pond aeration, vacuum tables, drying, dust/smoke removal, air sparging, and chip removal.

Of all air handling equipment, regenerative blowers are probably the least understood. However, when system parameters fall within their range, they can be among the most cost-effective methods for moving air and producing pressure or vacuum.

Direct driven or belt driven

Regenerative blowers are sometimes called side channel blowers or ring compressors, terms that refer to their physical construction. They can be direct or belt driven (Fig. 1). In direct drives, the impeller is mounted on an electric motor shaft. The number, size, and angle of the blades on the impeller determine pneumatic performance as well as the relationship between the impeller and housing. Some blowers have rather flat performance curves while others have steep ones.

The impeller spins within a housing with an inboard and outboard channel (Fig. 2). It is from this configuration that the name side channel blower is drawn. As the impeller blades pass the inlet port, they draw air in. The impeller rotation pushes air outward and forward into the channels. The air then returns to the base of the blade. As the impeller spins, the process repeats. This regeneration gives the blower its pressure/vacuum capabilities.

A regenerative blower operates as a multistaged compressor. Each blade-to-blade regeneration stage results in a slight pressure increase. Total pressure rise from air entry to discharge yields a continuous operating pressure up to 300-in. w.g. (11 psig) or a vacuum to 14-in. Hg with continuous flows to more than 1400 scfm (Fig. 3).

Most blowers are single stage: Air travels around the blower housing once and is discharged. Two-stage regenerative blowers can provide almost twice the pressure or vacuum of single-stage units. In a single-impeller, two-stage unit, air makes one revolution around the front side of the impeller. Then, instead of being discharged, the air is channeled to the backside of the impeller through internal porting. Air then makes another revolution around the backside of the impeller before it is discharged. Other two-stage configurations are also available, including designs that use two separate impellers in one housing or two impellers and housings.

Benefits vs failures

Among the major benefits of a regenerative blower is its lack of maintenance and monitoring requirements. The impeller is the only moving part and is wear free and does not come in contact with the housing channels. Self-lubricated bearings are the only parts that wear.

Regenerative blowers are oilless and have no complicated intake/exhaust valving. Most can be mounted in any plane and, with dynamically balanced impellers, generate little vibration. Because they are nonpositive displacement compressor/vacuum pumps, they discharge air that is clean and pulsation free, which are important considerations for today's plant instruments and controls.

The majority of blower failures are caused by improper installation or operation. Regenerative blowers have close internal clearances between the impeller and housing. It is important to prevent foreign material from entering that space. Ingested debris wedging between the impeller and housing can cause the blower to lock up and lead to a catastrophic failure. A blower should always be equipped with an intake filter. A 10-micron size is usually adequate. Filters must be kept clean. A blocked filter will starve flow.

Overpressurization can also cause deadheading (zero airflow through the blower) and catastrophic failure. Some blowers tolerate deadheading, but other models (typically those above 3/4 hp) must have air passing through them for cooling. If air does not pass through the blower, heat builds up in the impeller causing it to expand at a faster rate than the housing. Eventually the impeller locks up with the housing and the blower fails. A relief valve prevents overpressurization and deadheading conditions and allows air to pass through the blower.

-- Edited by Jeanine Katzel, Senior Editor, ; 630-320-7142,

Key concepts

Regenerative blowers are among the most cost-effective ways to move air when system parameters fall within their range.

These devices efficiently handle large volumes of air at low pressures or vacuums.

Regenerative blowers have only one moving part -- the impeller -- and require little maintenance or monitoring.

More info

Technical questions about this article may be directed to the author at 414-375-7360 or e-mail at The company web site is

For additional articles on this and related topics, see the "Compressors and prime movers" and "Air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration" channels on Plant Engineering Online :

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