RadiPac M from ebm-papst: Efficiency and high performance with the new metal impeller

In professional refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the fan is a crucial component not only for ensuring the required air flow, but also for reducing energy consumption, noise, and mechanical stress.

The need to move ever-larger volumes of air, combined with the demand for more efficient and easily controllable equipment, is therefore pushing the evolution of centrifugal fans towards solutions capable of combining aerodynamics, efficient motorization and intelligent electronics.

This is the context for the RadiPac M from ebm-papst , the version of the RadiPac family featuring a metal impeller. This new generation was developed for applications requiring high performance and where the use of metal is a technical or regulatory requirement. The manufacturer's specified applications include air handling units, precision air conditioning, electronics cooling, cooling towers, and other refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

A new metal impeller designed to improve aerodynamics

One of the central elements of the RadiPac M evolution is the high-performance metal impeller.

New sheet metal forming and joining processes have enabled ebm-papst to produce three-dimensional blades with more complex geometries and tighter manufacturing tolerances. The impeller uses five blades with optimized 3D geometry , developed to reduce aerodynamic losses while ensuring high mechanical strength.

The smaller gap between the impeller and the intake port compared to the previous metal version further contributes to improved efficiency. Hybrid configurations with a metal impeller and a plastic intake port are also available upon request, designed to further reduce this gap and optimize aerodynamic performance.

The choice of metal is also particularly important from a fire safety perspective. The new solution was developed to meet the application requirements of markets where the use of plastic impellers may be limited: in the event of a fire, the metal impeller does not melt and does not produce the smoke associated with the combustion of plastic materials.

Up to 50,000 m³/h for high flow applications

Its performance makes RadiPac M particularly interesting for systems requiring large volumes of air.

The third generation is available with impeller diameters ranging from 280 to 800 mm and covers motor powers from approximately 170 W up to 24 kW. In the largest configurations, it can reach a flow rate of approximately 50,000 m³/h at free discharge , with pressure increases in the order of 2,500 Pa.

In the case of the 800 mm size, ebm-papst also specifies a flow rate of approximately 30,000 m³/h with a pressure increase of 2,000 Pa .

The increased mechanical resistance of the new impeller allows it to reach higher speeds than the previous generation and therefore to move more air while maintaining the dimensions of the fan substantially unchanged.

This trade-off between power density, size, and flow rate becomes particularly significant in refrigeration and HVAC applications where available space within the equipment is limited but air movement requirements remain high.

EC technology to adapt operation to the actual needs of the system

The new aerodynamics are complemented by EC engine technology, the core of the RadiPac family.

The fans can be controlled via a 0–10 VDC or MODBUS RTU signal, allowing the speed to be adjusted to the actual flow requirements of the system. The electronics also integrate EMC filters and allow both remote monitoring and the integration of external sensors into the fan control logic.

For a refrigeration or air conditioning system, this means being able to avoid, where the application allows, continuous operation at maximum speed and instead modulate ventilation according to operating conditions.

Maintaining efficiency throughout the control range, combined with electronic control, allows energy consumption to be adjusted to actual air demand. The EC motors used in the new generation are also designed without rare earth magnets.

Automatic resonance detection to increase reliability

Another particularly interesting element for applications intended for prolonged operation is the automatic detection of resonances .

The installation location can generate application-specific resonances at certain speeds. If the fan frequently operates in these ranges, the vibrations can subject the bearings to high stress and accelerate wear.

The technology integrated into RadiPacs detects the critical speeds associated with the application during startup. During subsequent operation, these zones are avoided or quickly traversed, reducing stress on the bearing system.

The goal is to increase reliability and operational continuity , aspects that are particularly relevant in refrigeration installations, precision air conditioning systems and in general in equipment where an interruption in ventilation can compromise temperature control.

Compact installation and simplified retrofit

The new RadiPac M generation has also been developed with integration into existing equipment in mind.

The mounting plate and numerous peripheral components maintain compatible dimensions or are more compact than previous generations. Several previously installed components, such as grilles and intake vents, can also be retained, simplifying the replacement of existing fans.

A standard configuration and a short version are also available. In the latter, the motor penetrates further into the impeller, reducing the overall depth of the unit and making it easier to use when available space is limited.

This setting makes RadiPac M interesting not only for the design of new equipment, but also for retrofit interventions, where improving ventilation efficiency without substantially modifying the existing system can represent a significant advantage.

More efficient ventilation for refrigeration and cooling

With the new RadiPac M generation, ebm-papst combines metal impeller, optimised aerodynamics, EC technology and intelligent electronic management in a single system.

The high flow rate, the possibility of reaching significant pressure increases and the availability of powers up to 24 kW direct their use towards particularly demanding applications, from cooling towers to precision air conditioning units , up to air handling systems and other professional refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

In a sector where overall system efficiency increasingly depends on the optimization of auxiliary components, advanced air movement management thus becomes an integral part of the path towards more efficient and controllable refrigeration systems.