In modern industries, air movement plays a critical role in processes such as conveying, suction, aeration, drying, cooling, and fume extraction. Two popular machines used for these applications are Ring Blowers (Side Channel Blowers) and Roots Blowers (Twin Lobe / Positive Displacement Blowers).
While both create airflow and pressure, their working principles, performance characteristics, and ideal applications differ significantly.
This blog explains the technical differences, including efficiency, pressure range, noise, maintenance, and operating life — and concludes with practical suggestions on when ring blowers are the better choice.
Ring Blower Vs Roots Blower:
Ring blowers and roots blowers are both types of positive displacement blowers used for moving air or gases. They have distinct designs and operating principles, each with its own advantages and applications.
Ring Blower:
Also known as side channel blowers, ring blowers use a high-speed impeller within a circular casing. As the impeller rotates, it generates centrifugal force, pushing air outward into the channels of the casing. This continuous movement creates high-pressure airflow.
Working Principle:
Ring Blower (Side Channel Blower)
A ring blower works on the side-channel principle:
The impeller rotates at a high speed.
Air enters the side channel and is repeatedly accelerated by the impeller blades.
The air energy increases with each circulation, creating moderate pressure and high airflow.
Key Characteristics
Dynamic machine
Non-contact impeller
No lubrication needed
Clean, oil-free air
Roots Blower (Twin Lobe Blower):
Roots blowers consist of two or three lobed rotating impellers housed within a casing. These lobes mesh without touching, trapping and pushing air between the lobes and the blower housing, creating airflow.
Roots blowers operate on positive displacement:
Two figure-8 shaped lobes rotate in opposite directions inside a casing.
They trap air between the lobes and casing and push it toward the discharge.
Produces high volume and higher pressure but with pulsations.
Key Characteristics
Positive displacement machine
Requires lubrication
Airflow contains pulsations
Heavy-duty mechanical system
The following table is simple comparison between Ring Blower Vs Roots Blower.
SN
Ring Blower
Roots Blower
1
Compact In Size
Bulk in Size
2
Light Weight
Heavy Weight
3
Direct Drive with Motor
Belt Drive With Motor
4
Low Vibration
High Vibration
5
Low Noise Level
High Noise Level
6
Less maintenance
Heavy Maintenance
7
Less Spare Parts
Complicated spare parts
8
Low Price
High price
9
Easy to Transport
Difficult to transport
10
Easy to Service
Hard to service
11
Low cost for Service
High cost for Service
Application Suitability:
Where Ring Blowers Excel
Light material conveying (plastic granules, paper trim, lightweight powders)