Paddle Wheel Fans
Rugged Build for Tough Applications
Paddle wheel centrifugal fans are purpose-built for the most severe material handling and scrap conveying applications, where conventional centrifugal fans fail due to blockage, impact damage, or rapid wear.
Featuring a rugged open wheel (paddle bladed) impeller design, paddle wheel fans prioritise durability, impact resistance, and debris shedding over aerodynamic efficiency.
Industrial Fan Systems (IFS) paddle wheel fans are engineered specifically for scrap, fibrous, abrasive, and bulky materials, delivering reliable performance in harsh industrial environments across Australia and New Zealand. The IFS-PW range is the go-to solution where airflow must be maintained despite heavy solids loading and unpredictable material flow.
Paddle Wheel Centrifugal Fans - Heavy Duty Material & Scrap Handling Solutions
What Is a Paddle Wheel Centrifugal Fan?
A paddle wheel centrifugal fan uses straight, radially oriented blades mounted on an open wheel without a shroud or backplate. This design allows large particles, scrap, and fibrous materials to pass through the impeller without clogging or damaging the fan.
Unlike backward curved, backward inclined, or radial tip fans, paddle wheel fans are not optimised for efficiency. Instead, they are engineered for maximum material-handling capability, impact resistance, and reliability in extreme applications.
Why Choose a Paddle Wheel Fan?
Paddle wheel centrifugal fans are selected when material handling capability outweighs efficiency considerations.
Advantages
Open Wheel Design: Allows large scrap and fibrous materials to pass through freely.
Exceptional Impact Resistance: Withstands repeated contact with heavy and abrasive materials.
Debris-Shedding Blades: Prevents material buildup and imbalance.
Minimal Clogging Risk: Ideal for unpredictable material streams.
Severe-Duty Reliability: Performs where other fan designs fail.
Key Features & Engineering Benefits
Paddle Bladed Impeller Design: The heavy-duty paddle blades are radially oriented and unshrouded, sometimes referred to as an open wheel. This configuration is ideal for scrap and material handling, where large objects or fibrous matter must be conveyed without restriction.
Impact & Wear Resistance: The robust impeller design absorbs impact energy and limits wear, ensuring long service life in demanding environments such as metal machining, woodworking, and recycling facilities.
Debris-Shedding Geometry: Blade spacing and orientation are engineered to minimise material accumulation, reducing vibration, maintenance frequency, and unplanned downtime.
Heavy-Duty Industrial Construction: Industrial Fan Systems paddle wheel fans can be manufactured from a wide range of carbon steels, stainless steels, and alloy materials, with optional protective coatings for corrosive or high-temperature applications.
Flexible Drive & Mounting Options: Available in belt drive or direct drive configurations, with horizontal or vertical mounting options to suit installation constraints.
Performance Range &
Technical Specifications
Airflow
Up to 25m3/s
Impeller Diameter
300mm to 2000mm
Static Pressure
Up to 4,000 Pa
Model Range
IFSPW-140, IFSPW-495
Arrangement Options
1, 3, 8
Configurations
SWSI (Single Width Single Inlet)
Fan Class: 3
Maximum Speed: Up to 1,517 RPM (higher speeds may require upgraded drives and motors)
Impeller Type Comparison Table
SWSI & DWDI Configurations
The Paddle Wheel Fan is available in two configurations to suit different airflow and pressure needs.
SWSI (Single Width Single Inlet)
Best suited for moderate
airflow requirements,
compact installations, and
higher pressure applications
where space is limited.
Paddle wheel fans sit at the extreme end of the durability spectrum, purpose-built for material handling rather than air efficiency.
Technical Information
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Fully welded paddle wheel impellers dynamically balanced to ANSI/AMCA 204 standards or better
Fully welded fan housings with external bracing for severe duty
Precision-machined EN8-grade steel shafts selected to avoid critical speed resonance
Spherical roller bearings in grease-lubricated split pillow block housings
Multiple shaft seal options: light duty, medium duty, and airtight designs
Fully welded structural channel bases with optional anti-vibration mounts
Precision-engineered safety guards to AS/NZS standards
Integrated access doors and drainage points for wet or contaminated applications
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IFS paddle wheel fans can be customised for extreme operating conditions, including:
Split housings for rapid inspection and maintenance
Inlet boxes for airflow conditioning
High-temperature construction up to 600 °C or more
Spark-resistant construction (AMCA Type A, B, or C)
Discharge cowls with weather protection and bird mesh
Inlet and outlet dampers
Flexible bellows for vibration isolation
Anti-vibration mounting systems
Inlet and outlet silencers
Vibration and temperature monitoring sensors
Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
Surface protection coatings for corrosive environments
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Paddle wheel centrifugal fans are commonly used in:
Scrap conveying and pneumatic material transport
Metal machining and fabrication facilities
Woodworking and timber processing
Recycling and waste handling plants
Paper, pulp, and fibre processing
Pre-filter and bulk material separation systems
Industries & Applications
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HVAC
HVAC ventilation that improves airflow, reduces energy use, and supports optimal indoor air quality efficiently.
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Industrial Processes
Control heat, dust, fumes, and boost energy efficiency across manufacturing operations.
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Mining & Smelting
Provides underground ventilation, dust control, and gas dilution, ensuring a safe environment for workers.
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Oil & Gas
Explosion-proof fans meeting ATEX/IECEx standards for use in hazardous areas.
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Recycling
Improve dust control, fume extraction, airflow efficiency, and ensure environmental compliance.
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Agriculture
Ensure climate control, humidity regulation, and air quality in barns, greenhouses, and storage facilities.
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Air Pollution Control
Customised designs for dust extraction, fume removal, VOC management, and emission control.
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Food & Beverage
Hygienically design fans for food processing, cold storage, and cleanrooms.
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Furnace & Oven
Ensure energy-efficient airflow, temperature control, and safety in kilns and furnaces.
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HVAC Systems
Reliable, energy-efficient fans for commercial and industrial HVAC applications.
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Manufacturing
Ensure reliable airflow, cooling, dust control, and energy-efficient operation in production facilities.
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Paper & Pulp
Industrial fans for paper and pulp mills, dust control, moisture management, and airflow for production & drying.
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Pharmaceuticals
Ensure air quality, filtration, and safety in controlled manufacturing environments.
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Spray Booths
Spray booth ventilation fans for fume extraction, overspray control, and odour removal.
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Tunnel Ventilation
Ensure efficient airflow and ventilation in mining, transport, and construction tunnels.
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Water Treatment
Ensure ventilation and airflow, odour control, corrosion resistance, and regulatory compliance.
Paddle wheel centrifugal fans are selected when material handling capability outweighs efficiency considerations.
Warranty & Support
We stand by the quality and reliability of our products, offering both performance and workmanship guarantees. Our guarantees cover 12 months of operation or 18 months from delivery, whichever occurs first, ensuring peace of mind and confidence in our engineering excellence.
Warranty
Comprehensive fan selection and system design support services to ensure optimal fan performance throughout its service life.
Support Services
Certifications &
Compliance
This ensures the product complies with international standards for performance, quality, and safety.
ISO 9001
(Quality Management Systems)
ISO 14001
(Environmental Management Systems)
ISO 45001
(Occupational Health & Safety)
Why Choose Industrial Fan Systems?
Industrial Fan Systems combines proven aerodynamic design with Australian‑based engineering expertise. Our airfoil centrifugal fans are selected, tested, and supported to perform reliably in real‑world industrial environments.
ISO 5801 tested performance data
ISO13347-3:2004 for sound
Engineered for Australian and New Zealand conditions
Application‑specific fan selection support
On-site support
Ready to improve your industrial ventilation and reduce operating costs?
Our Products
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![Airfoil Centrifugal Fans]()
Airfoil Centrifugal Fans
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![Industrial-Fan-Systems-IFS-Products-PW-Paddle-Bladed-Centrifugal-Fans]()
Paddle Bladed Centrifugal Fans
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![Industrial-Fan-Systems-IFS-Products-Backward-Curved-Centrifugal-Fans]()
Backward Curved Centrifugal Fans
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![Industrial-Fan-Systems-IFS-Products-Backward-Inclined-Centrifugal-Fans]()
Backward Inclined Centrifugal Fans
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Radial Bladed Fans
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Radial Tip Fans
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High Pressure Fans
Frequently Asked Questions
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Paddle wheel fans use an open wheel design without a shroud or backplate, allowing large scrap and fibrous materials to pass through. Radial bladed fans are better suited to high-pressure air movement with smaller particulates.
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No. Efficiency is secondary to durability and material-handling capability. Paddle wheel fans are selected when reliability outweighs energy efficiency.
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Yes. They are specifically designed for abrasive scrap such as metal chips, wood waste, and fibrous materials.
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Yes. Spark-resistant designs to AMCA Type A, B, or C are available for hazardous environments.