Performance Testing of Blowers for Wastewater and Industrial Applications

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the philosophy and fundamental concepts of blower testing.
2. Create understanding of the thermodynamic properties of air and their impact on blower system performance.
3. Understanding of the test procedures and test limitations for PD blowers.
4. Understanding of the test procedures and test limitations for PD blowers.
5. Develop an understanding of the calculations necessary for performance evaluation.
6. Enable the attendee to specify the testing requirements suitable to project needs.

Session 1: Basic Concepts

• Purpose of testing
• Terms and definitions, units of measure
• Principles of similitude
• Description of codes
• Instrumentation requirements

 Objective: Identify the philosophy and fundamental concepts of blower testing.

Significance: Knowledge of these foundational concepts is required for conducting performance testing and interpreting the results.

Session 2: Thermodynamics of Air

• Fundamental physical properties of air and water vapor
• Effect of humidity, temperature and pressure on thermodynamic properties
• Calculation methods for determining properties at various conditions

Objective: Create understanding of the thermodynamic properties of air and their impact on blower system performance.

Significance: Evaluating these parameters and their deviations is necessary for conducting tests and converting performance data.

Session 3: PD Blower Testing

• Similitude parameters
• Basic procedures
• Verifying the validity of test parameters
• Performance characteristics
• Testing requirements
• Test limitations

 Objective: Understanding of the test procedures and test limitations for PD blowers.

 Significance: This type of blower has some characteristics that dictate specific test procedures.

Session 4: Centrifugal Blower Testing

• Similitude parameters
• Basic procedures
• Verifying the validity of test parameters
• Performance characteristics
• Testing requirements
• Test limitations

 Objective: Understanding of the test procedures and test limitations for PD blowers.

 Significance: This type of blower has some characteristics that dictate specific test procedures.

Session 5: Reporting Test Results

• Reporting requirements for raw data
• Reporting requirements for specified data
• Example calculations
• Example report formats

 Objective: Develop an understanding of the calculations necessary for performance evaluation.

 Significance: Most tests require calculations to convert performance at test conditions to projected performance at specified operating conditions.

Session 6: Specification Considerations

• Identifying test requirements
• Power guarantees and penalties
• Specifying critical performance parameters
• Identifying components required within the test performance boundary
• Defining reporting requirements and format

 Objective: Enable the attendee to specify the testing requirements suitable to project needs.

 Significance: Testing is expensive, and it is necessary to clearly identify the objectives methods and required results to optimize value to the owner.

Registration Date/Time:
11/3/2025 12:00pm Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 11/3/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time
• 11/7/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time
• 11/10/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time
• 11/14/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time
• 11/17/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time
• 11/21/2025  12:30pm - 2:00pm Central Time

• Instructor

  Tom Jenkins

  Engineering Technician II

  Tom Jenkins co-founded Energy Strategies Corporation (ESCOR) in 1984 and was General Manager until 2007. He was the Chief Design Engineer at Dresser Roots Wastewater Solutions Group (now part of Howden Roots LLC) from 2007 until 2010.

  As the owner and President of JenTech Inc., Tom now provides consulting services to the wastewater treatment industry. This includes design and analysis of control systems, aeration systems, energy conservation measures, and blower systems. While specializing in aeration and aeration controls, his services cover related wastewater process systems such as DO control, piping system design, and blower control systems. His experience includes the design and implementation of PLC, SCADA, and telemetry systems. Tom is the author of many articles and books on wastewater aeration and control. He is the chairman of ASME's Performance Test Code 13 Committee and a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation.

• Program Director

  Adib Amini

The course will be offered as a live online course, with recordings made of each session so that participants can watch them at other times if they are not available at the meeting time.Therefore, this course can be flexible and accommodate a variety of schedules. The course meetings will take place twice a week over a 3-week period, for a total of 6 sessions. Each session will be approximately 1.5 hours.

(September 1-19, 2025 on Mondays and Fridays from 10am-11:30am, 6 session totals)

This course is part of the Wastewater Systems Certificate. Course may be taken individually as well.

Fee covers live online instruction and course materials.

When three or more sign up from same employer, your course fee is $745 per person.

When two or more sign up from same employer, your course fee is $770 per person.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.