An innovative new industrial ceiling fan is being tested by Southern Polytechnic State University's Richard Aynsley, dean of SPSU's School of Engineering Technology and Management. The HVLS (high volume, low speed) fans range in size from 8 to 24 feet, and provide airflow near floor level with virtually no sound. Designed to quietly cool areas such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities, the fans have the ability to circulate air over 15,000 to 20,000 square feet.

"These fans are revolutionary," said Aynsley. "They are very energy efficient, especially compared to older models. More and more companies are using them to improve their work environment and to save money."

According to Aynsley, the breezes generated by the fans create a cooling effect on people equivalent to a six to eight degree reduction in the temperature.

Research on the fans is being conducted by Aynsley for the HVLS Fan Company, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, at a hangar at Lockheed Martin's Marietta plant. The fans were developed in 1999, and are now being tested for optimal effectiveness. Locally, the fans are being used by companies such as Sears and Eckerd Drugs.

Southern Polytechnic is the only university in the country working on this project, according to Aynsley.

The first leg of research, which took approximately two months, dealt with determining the physical measurements of airflow and turbulence characteristics. The second stage, which Aynsley estimates will take four to five months, involves developing a computational fluid dynamics computer software to assist in simulating airflow. "This will enable the fans to be optimally located and produce the maximum cooling effect," said Aynsley.

Over the next few years, he expects the number of companies utilizing the HVLS fans to grow dramatically.

"As a nation, we are learning we have to be more energy efficient, and in some places, air conditioning isn't really feasible. These fans are a nice solution for providing thermal comfort."