With growing demands for efficiency and sustainability, the fan has moved increasingly into focus. It safeguards air quality in buildings, ensures stable conditions in research facilities, and keeps industrial processes running. The choice of design type determines the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of entire systems.
The three principles of air movement – axial, radial and cross-flow
At LTG, we apply three distinct principles of airflow, since no single design can meet every requirement equally well. While axial fans guide the airflow directly along the axis, radial fans deflect it, discharging the flow at right angles from the impeller. Cross-flow fans, on the other hand, allow air to pass through the impeller across its full length, producing an exceptionally uniform flow.
Expertise from practice
How differently axial, radial and cross-flow fans operate is explained in detail by our LTG expert in the video: from the fundamentals of flow geometry and drive position to application profiles and the crucial point why no single design type suits every case.
Differences that make the difference
What the video illustrates becomes evident in practice: selecting the right fan has a decisive influence on efficiency and reliability. This is why LTG develops solutions precisely matched to both design and application – ensuring systems operate efficiently, reliably and economically in the long term.
Volume flow or pressure
For applications requiring high air volumes, LTG axial fans are the ideal choice. They move large quantities of air and remain stable even under continuous operation. Where high pressure is needed, LTG radial fans are employed. Whether as conveying or exhaust versions, they reliably handle even contaminated airstreams containing dust or fibres.
Uniform air distribution
For tasks where homogeneous airflow is indispensable, LTG develops cross-flow fans. With series such as VQS or VQ, they generate a consistent flow along the entire length – a decisive factor for uniform quality in conveyor and drying processes.
Drive and construction
In addition to flow form and performance, construction also plays an important role. In LTG axial fans, the drive is located within the airflow, whereas in radial and cross-flow fans it is mounted externally. These differences directly affect system integration and highlight the importance of precise alignment with the intended application.
More than design types: efficiency and service life
The differences between fan types are only part of the consideration. Equally vital are criteria such as efficiency and service life, which in practice determine reliability and cost-effectiveness. LTG fans achieve aerodynamic efficiencies of up to 89.5% – a benchmark even by international standards. Their robustness is reflected in service lives of 30 to 50 years, often extended through a second lifecycle during refurbishment.
Case Study: Chemical Laboratories, Ruhr University Bochum
A long-term project at Ruhr University Bochum demonstrates the impact in practice. LTG radial fans have ensured reliable exhaust air there for decades. Even during refurbishment, the choice once again fell on LTG technology. Our video illustrates how efficiency, longevity and precise planning interact – and why our German manufacturing enables bespoke solutions that perform reliably for decades.
The right series for every requirement
The diversity of LTG fans is reflected not only in the three design types but also in the wide range of series, each designed for specific demands.
Axial fans
LTG axial fans of the VAN series are designed as low-pressure fans, moving large volumes at comparatively low pressure. The VAH series covers the high-pressure range, suitable for demanding flow tasks with high performance requirements.
Centrifugal fans
Our LTG radial fans range from low-pressure variants for standard applications to high-pressure models that perform reliably even under extreme conditions. Clean gas types such as NM and ND ensure uncontaminated conveying. Our LTG conveying fans reliably handle airstreams with dust or fibres. LTG exhaust fans safely discharge hot or contaminated media, making them indispensable in process engineering systems.
Tangential fans
With the VQS and VQ series, LTG offers cross-flow fans that generate uniform flow across impeller lengths of up to 4,500 mm. Variants with 90° or 180° deflection and operation at temperatures up to 300 °C make them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
Conclusion: Ensure efficiency and trouble-free operation with LTG fans
Choosing the right fan is more than a technical detail – it determines the success and stability of entire systems. With axial, radial and cross-flow fans, LTG offers solutions for industry, research and building services that cover all relevant airflow principles and have proven themselves over many years. Combined with high efficiencies and exceptional service lives, they create systems that inspire lasting confidence.