Performance Testing of Blowers for Wastewater and Industrial Applications

This course delivers a comprehensive understanding of blower testing, from thermodynamic fundamentals to real-world implementation of test procedures. Participants will explore performance verification for both PD and centrifugal blowers, including instrumentation, data analysis, and specification strategies. With insights from over 40 years of industry experience, the course prepares attendees to confidently manage blower selection, testing, and reporting for high-stakes applications.

• Consulting engineers and designers working with aeration systems in water, wastewater, or industrial settings.
• Operators, supervisors, and managers responsible for blower system performance and maintenance.
• Regulatory staff and technical professionals overseeing equipment compliance and energy efficiency.

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.

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.

Tom Jenkins

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.