Request a call back about your fan bank.
Don't replace fans, upgrade them. Oil and gas and industrial fan optimization. BC Hydro retrofit funding. We do zero new construction.Tell us what you're running. We'll call you back with a straight answer on whether there's something worth doing, and whether we're the right people for it.
- Combined Oil & Gas Fan Experience
- 100+ years
Nick Agius designed and patented the DG-II Anti-Rotation Device®, and created the E-Bell™ and introduced it to the air cooler aftermarket. 48 years on air coolers, he's been to every refinery in Canada, and he has published on Air Cooled Heat Exchanger optimization in Hydrocarbon Processing.
Russell De Jesus, P.Eng, registered with APEGA, works the fan re-rate and the drive side. If a recommendation needs engineering behind it, it gets it.
We have told operators not to buy from us, because the part they were asking about would not have helped their unit. If that's the answer, you'll hear it in the first conversation rather than after a purchase order.
A conversation first.
- Send us the unit. Make, model, fan diameter, motor size, and the tag number if you have it. The OEM spec sheet is the single most useful thing you can send. Photos of the drive and the fan ring help too.
- We look, then we call you back. A call with the people who'd do the work. We'll tell you what we think is going on, what we'd want to look at, and whether we're the right people for it. If we're not, we say so and point you at who is.
- If it's a fit, the MOC study. That's where the design happens. The fan re-rated at your own summer and winter conditions, the drive reviewed properly, and the result documented so it stands up to your management of change process. Scoped and quoted before it starts, so there are no surprises.
What we'll want to talk about
- Blade pitch, and whether the fan is still doing what it was sized for
- Obsolete blades, and what actually drops onto the same hub
- Motor shaft load in winter, not just on a summer design day
- Belts, sheaves, bearings and drive alignment
- Fans windmilling backwards when a motor is off
- Air losses at the blade tips, and hot air recirculating back through
- Whether the unit has simply been asked to do more than it was built for
Oil and gas, petrochemical and power sites running Air Cooled Heat Exchangers, Air Cooled Condensers or cooling towers. Anywhere from a two fan transmission station to a few hundred bays across a plant. Turnaround planning is a good time to ask.
Telling us what you're running up front means we can say quickly whether it's something we can actually help with, instead of booking a call to find out. And the complicated ones take Nick's time, so we only take on so many at once.
How we're different
- Before you replace a fan, call your fan division
- Oil & Gas Fans
- Hot-rod your fans
- 100+ years of experience
- The DG-II was designed here
- Deeper bells = more air
- Ultra low noise fans
- We do zero new construction
- Designs within days
- BC Hydro Retrofit Funding
- We're big fans
- Only big fans
- Don't replace fans, upgrade them
- Keep the fans, upgrade the rest
- We make fans do more
Our Results
See all results$2 to 4 million a year in economic profit
68% more airflow after bundle cleaning, fan re-pitching and a higher tip speed.
“We implemented solutions to improve our fan performance and increase production resulting in an economic profit of $2-4 million/year.”
Up to 9°C more cooling, and up to 3°C more from E-Bells™
High efficiency fan upgrade on engine coolers, sped up to 340 rpm, plus E-Bell™ inlet bells.
“Benefits are as high as a 9 degree C difference in cooling.”
The only unit Ops could keep running at 35°C
Cofimco fan blade upgrade.
“In the 35 C weather yesterday, looks like the upgraded unit was the only one Ops could keep running… I am guessing that the improvements are going to be enough that we can rule out future plans to replace our units.”
$1.56 million in value in under four months
Fan capacity upgrade on the SM column coolers, backed by Nick's airflow testing.
“Believe the numbers below are, if anything, understating the value… Excellent work, thank Nick Agius for me please.”
97/98 dBA down to 78/84 dBA, with more airflow
New low noise Cofimco engine cooler fans on two compressor units.
“Both units are running great, noise reduction is night and day difference.”
Outlet gas 20 to 24°C cooler
Belt drive upgrade, installed by our field crew.
“We have seen an outlet gas temp reduction of somewhere between 20-24 C lower than it was previous to this upgrade work being conducted.”
+19% cooling duty
Bundle cleaning, higher fan speed, a blade tip change and a tip seal.
“Yes it is +19% cooling duty. A real home run for this cooler.”
Flare reduction worth about $270,000 a year
Manual pitch adjustment devices repaired, air side bundle cleaning, pitch adjustment and fan replacement, and the tower adjusted to its new operating pressure.
“All the changes contributed to a flare reduction estimated at $270K/year.”
No production cuts at 34°C
16 fans converted from low efficiency Moore to high efficiency Cofimco-Hudson, tip speed raised from 8,000 to 10,000 fpm, timing belts, inlet bells and DG-II Anti-Rotation Devices®.
“We did not have to cut production as the fans did their job this time.”
$250,000 more throughput every summer
Hudson B blades upgraded to the Hudson HC series: 6°C better on 12 fans and 4°C on two more.
“This translates into a $250,000 more throughput for Scotford on our CCR each and every summer from this point forward.”
Approach temperature down 5°C
Air cooler fan upgrade.
“Our approach temp is down 5deg from prior to the upgrade, and our final discharge temp is up only 5deg in the last month, despite the 10deg increase in ambient.”
Full capacity through the summer heat
Two new fans for process and engine cooling, with a 3 to 4 degree improvement.
“We saw a significant change (3-4 degree change) with the new fans. These new fans allowed our operations team to run our units a full capacity in the heat of the summer.”
“On a positive note, the resident nearest the plant noticed a huge difference in noise once we fired back up last September after the turnaround… Nice to know it's having a positive effect on the people in the surrounding area.”
“Initially, you could barely carry on a conversation and now you don't even need hearing protection. The transition from before and after is absolutely amazing!!”
“I wanted to reach out and let you know how happy I was with your team and the support they provided for us last week. I was impressed with how efficient and professional the guys were and will definitely be recommending your support in the future.”
“Every single time I've run into an issue, you've had solutions… I will take any call from anyone regarding your capabilities and mission to help people fix their problems.”
“The inlet bells we installed fit up really well and we have noticed an improvement on cooling. We would like to install these on two other fans in our plant.”
“You guys have showed a great level of skill and professionalism to get this task completed… Thank you nick for all your help and support with resolving all the theoretical and technical questions.”
“I truly appreciate the support you've both provided. Your assistance has been invaluable.”
“I was pretty surprised by how much air it moves… When I stood inside the new E-Bell with the fan running, the difference in airflow was really noticeable.”
“Thank you for all the support… getting our Phoenix fans sorted out leading into the outage. You've been a tremendous ally over the years.”
“I have nothing bad to say only good, Russell and Bryce have helped plenty when we need a quick answer or helping by coming out and going through the existing fans for the upgrades to make sure we get everything correct for the job.”
“Thanks Nick! Been great working with you over the Years and look forward working with you in the future.”
“Please pass on a 'Thank you, and Job well done!' to Mariusz and all the crew that executed another successful upgrade.”
“Overall the work was much needed and I am certain we are realizing benefits.”
Tell us what's going on.
The more you can give us up front, the faster we can tell you whether it's a fit. If all you know is the site and that something isn't right, send that.
Calgary, AB T2P 3R7
Mon to Fri, 8 to 5, by appointment
Edmonton, AB T6B 2M2
Mon to Fri, 8 to 5, by appointment