Side Channel Blowers

Side channel blowers are widely used industrial air movement units for applications requiring high airflow at relatively low pressure or low vacuum. They are also commonly known as regenerative blowers, ring blowers, industrial blowers and low-pressure air blowers.

VacAir Superstore supplies side channel blowers for UK industry, including direct replacements, equivalent alternatives, new installations and urgent breakdown requirements. We are very competitive, hold stock and can help identify the correct blower when customers only know the existing motor size, such as a 5.5 kW blower, 4 kW blower, 7.5 kW blower or similar.

Typical applications include:

If your blower has failed, is noisy, overheating or no longer producing enough air, call our technical sales team. We can often help from the information on the blower ID plate, motor kW rating, pipe size, application details or photos of the existing unit.

• Competitive prices on new side channel blowers
• Stock held for fast UK dispatch
• Help identifying equivalent replacement blowers
• Support for FPZ, Elmo Rietschle, Becker, Busch, DVP, Charles Austin and other makes
• Advice for pressure, vacuum and combined duty applications

Call VacAir Superstore: 0113 208 8501

Contact us for a fast side channel blower quote

What Is A Side Channel Blower?

A side channel blower uses a high-speed impeller inside a specially shaped housing. As the impeller rotates, air is drawn into the blower and accelerated around the side channel before leaving through the outlet. This creates a steady flow of air for pressure or vacuum applications.

Unlike a rotary vane pump, a side channel blower has no carbon vanes sliding against the cylinder body. The internal operating principle is contactless, which means there are no vanes to replace and no oil required inside the compression chamber.

Side channel blowers are especially useful where the application needs a large volume of air rather than deep vacuum. They are often used as positive pressure blowers, but many models can also be used for vacuum duties where high airflow is more important than high vacuum level.

Side Channel Blower Types

Side channel blowers are available in different configurations. The best option depends on whether the application needs more airflow, higher pressure, deeper suction or a compact replacement footprint.

Single Stage Blowers

Often used where high airflow is required at relatively modest pressure or vacuum. A common choice for general air movement and many OEM machines.

Double Stage Blowers

Used where the application requires higher pressure or deeper suction than a comparable single stage blower.

Double Parallel Stage Blowers

Used where higher airflow is required while maintaining the benefits of side channel blower technology.

Triple Stage Blowers

Used for more demanding duties where higher pressure or suction performance is required from a regenerative blower design.

Popular Side Channel Blower Manufacturers

VacAir Superstore can supply and support side channel blowers from many leading industrial manufacturers. We can also advise on equivalent replacements when the original blower is obsolete, expensive or not readily available.

Elmo Rietschle Side Channel Blowers

Elmo, through its historical association with Siemens, played a major role in the development of the side channel blower and established the benchmark for many future blower manufacturers. Elmo Rietschle side channel blowers are widely used across printing, packaging and industrial process applications throughout industry.

At VacAir, we can supply genuine Elmo Rietschle blowers, as well as competitively priced alternative solutions available from stock.

Becker Side Channel Blowers

Becker regenerative blowers are commonly used across a wide range of industrial machinery and process applications. VacAir can assist with replacement blower selection, servicing and alternative Becker vacuum and pressure solutions.

The Becker SV series is a well-established regenerative blower range, complemented by the Variair SV models with integrated inverter-controlled drive technology.

FPZ Side Channel Blowers

FPZ side channel blowers are widely used across industrial pressure and vacuum applications, including aeration, pneumatic conveying and process air handling duties.

The FPZ range includes robust aluminium blower units as standard, together with specialised models such as the HT series for hot gas recirculation and stainless steel variants for corrosive or demanding environments.

DVP Side Channel Blowers

DVP side channel blowers are available in single stage, double stage, double parallel stage and triple stage versions, depending on the required airflow and pressure requirements of the application.

DVP offers a competitively priced range covering many of the most commonly used blower sizes and duties across industrial applications.

Airtech Europe

Airtech Europe side channel blower range includes single stage, double stage and high-pressure regenerative blowers for a wide variety of industrial duties.

VacAir can assist with replacement Airtech blowers, equivalent alternatives and competitively priced replacement solutions available from stock.

Common Side Channel Blower Applications

Side channel blowers are used where a machine or process needs a continuous stream of air. They are most often selected for pressure applications, although many can also operate on vacuum depending on the model and installation.

Sewage Aeration And Wastewater Treatment

Side channel blowers are commonly used to supply air into wastewater treatment systems, sewage aeration tanks, diffusers and biological treatment systems. Correct selection is important because the blower must overcome water depth, diffuser resistance and pipework losses.

Jacuzzi, Spa And Swimming Pool Air Systems

Many jacuzzi, spa and pool systems use blowers to create air movement through water jets or air channels. Replacement is often based on the existing blower size, voltage, motor kW and connection details.

Printing Presses And Print Finishing

Printing presses and finishing machines often use blowers for sheet separation, air knives, paper handling, drying assistance and machine air movement.

Pneumatic Conveying

Side channel blowers are often used in pneumatic conveying systems where powders, granules or lightweight materials need to be moved through pipework using airflow.

Packaging And Box Manufacturing

Packaging machinery, cardboard box machines and paper handling equipment may use regenerative blowers for air tables, separation, suction, pressure and handling duties.

Vacuum Lifting And Holding

Where leakage is high and airflow demand is greater than vacuum depth, a side channel blower can be suitable for vacuum lifting, vacuum clamping or hold-down systems.

Choosing The Correct Side Channel Blower

When customers request a replacement blower, the motor size is often the starting point. For example, a machine operator may ask for a 5.5 kW side channel blower because that is the rating shown on the motor plate.

The kW rating is a useful indicator, but it is not the full specification. Two blowers with the same motor size can produce different airflow and pressure depending on the impeller design, stage arrangement and operating point.

To specify the correct blower, the following details are helpful:

• Existing blower make and model
• Motor kW rating, voltage and phase
• Airflow requirement, usually in m³/h
• Required pressure or vacuum level, usually in mbar
• Pipe size and connection position
• Application type, such as aeration, conveying, printing or pool air
• Duty cycle and operating hours
• Whether the blower is used for pressure, vacuum or both

If the original model is no longer available, VacAir Superstore can help identify a suitable equivalent side channel blower from stock or from one of our supply routes.

Pressure Applications

Most side channel blowers are used for positive pressure displacement applications. They are commonly selected where the process needs a clean, continuous air supply at low pressure.

Examples include sewage aeration, water treatment, spa air systems, pneumatic conveying, packaging machinery, air knives and print machinery air movement.

Vacuum Applications

Side channel blowers can also be used for vacuum duties where the application requires high airflow rather than a deep vacuum level. They are often suitable for porous materials, leakage-heavy systems and handling applications.

Where deeper vacuum is required, a rotary vane pump, claw pump or other vacuum pump technology may be more suitable. VacAir can help advise which option is best.

How Side Channel Blowers Are Sized

Side channel blowers are often requested by motor size, for example a 0.75kW ring blower, 3.0kW side channel blower, 7.5kW regenerative blower or 11kW industrial blower.

Motor power is a useful starting point, but the correct blower selection also depends on the required airflow, pressure, vacuum level and the duty of the application.

A blower used for sewage aeration, a jacuzzi system, a printing press or pneumatic conveying may all have different performance requirements, even when the motor size appears similar. VacAir can help identify the correct blower from the information on your existing unit, or assist with selecting a suitable replacement for a new or upgraded installation.

Common Problems With Side Channel Blowers

Side channel blowers are generally reliable, but incorrect installation, blocked filters, restricted pipework or running beyond the recommended pressure can cause problems.

Many blower failures are caused by external system issues rather than the blower itself. A blocked diffuser, closed valve, flooded pipework, undersized pipe or incorrectly set relief valve can all cause overheating or poor performance.

How VacAir Superstore Can Help

VacAir Superstore supports customers throughout the UK with side channel blower supply, replacement, repair advice and technical specification support.

We regularly assist customers with:

• Identifying existing blower models from ID plates
• Supplying new side channel blowers from stock
• Finding equivalent alternatives to FPZ, Becker, Busch, Elmo Rietschle, Airtech and Charles Austin units
• Matching blowers by kW, airflow, pressure and connection size
• Advising on sewage aeration, printing, pool, spa, conveying and industrial blower duties
• Supplying accessories such as filters, relief valves, silencers and non-return valves
• Helping customers reduce downtime after blower failure

Whether you require a direct replacement blower, a lower-cost alternative, a stocked unit for urgent dispatch or help specifying a blower for a new installation, VacAir Superstore can help.

This Elmo Rietschle SMH blower was sent to VacAir after the customer’s previous repair company was unable to complete the refurbishment. Our factory-trained engineers successfully rebuilt the unit to full working condition, delivering a significant cost saving compared with replacement. Following extensive testing and inspection, the blower was returned to the customer fully refurbished and covered by the VacAir warranty.

Side Channel Blower Failure ?

Call our technical sales team on 0113 208 8501 or send details of the existing blower to sales@vacair-superstore.com or complete use  our pump enquiry form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a side channel blower?

A side channel blower is an industrial air movement unit used to generate continuous airflow for pressure or vacuum applications. It is also commonly known as a regenerative blower or ring blower.

What is another name for a side channel blower?

Side channel blowers are also called regenerative blowers, ring blowers, industrial blowers, low pressure blowers and air blowers.

What are side channel blowers used for?

Side channel blowers are used for sewage aeration, wastewater treatment, jacuzzi and swimming pool air systems, printing presses, pneumatic conveying, packaging machinery, vacuum lifting, paper handling and many other industrial applications.

Are side channel blowers used for pressure or vacuum?

Side channel blowers can be used for both pressure and vacuum, but they are very commonly used for positive pressure applications where a continuous supply of low-pressure air is required.

Can VacAir supply a 5.5 kW side channel blower?

Yes. VacAir Superstore can help supply and specify side channel blowers by motor size, including common ratings such as 1.5 kW, 2.2 kW, 3 kW, 4 kW, 5.5 kW, 7.5 kW and larger units. The kW rating is useful, but airflow, pressure and application details should also be checked.

Can VacAir replace an FPZ, Becker, Busch, Elmo Rietschle, DVP or Charles Austin blower?

Yes. VacAir Superstore can help identify a direct replacement or suitable equivalent for many common industrial side channel blowers, including FPZ, Becker, Busch, Elmo Rietschle, DVP and Charles Austin units.

Do side channel blowers need servicing?

Side channel blowers have a contactless operating principle and do not use oil inside the compression chamber. Routine attention is still important, including checking inlet filters, silencers, bearings, pipework restrictions, relief valves and the general condition of the motor.

Why is my side channel blower overheating?

Overheating can be caused by blocked filters, restricted pipework, a closed valve, a blocked diffuser, incorrect relief valve setting, poor ventilation, bearing wear or the blower running outside its correct operating range.

Can side channel blowers be used for sewage aeration?

Yes. Side channel blowers are commonly used for sewage aeration and wastewater treatment because they can provide a steady flow of low-pressure air to diffusers or aeration grids.

How do I choose the correct replacement side channel blower?

The easiest starting point is the existing blower ID plate. Useful details include make, model, motor kW, voltage, phase, airflow, pressure, pipe size and the application. VacAir Superstore can help identify the correct replacement from this information.