The Fantech fan used to ‘shape the flame’ at the recent Sydney Olympics, has drawn high praise from Leon Daych of Fuel & Combustion Technology P/L (FCT), contractors in charge of designing and supplying the Main Cauldron Burner for Sydney 2000 Olympic flame.

A 710mm diameter 2800 rpm axial fan and silencer was purpose designed for installation inside the mast of the Main Olympic Flame and operated continuously for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s role was to produce a 1.4m diameter air curtain around the flame, to maintain its shape, depending on ambient conditions.

The fan was fitted with a variable speed drive coupled to an externally mounted anemometer for measuring ambient wind velocity and, as the wind velocity increased, so did the speed of the fan. This created a higher velocity air curtain required to maintain the flame’s shape.

Working in conjunction with Olympics event designer Michael Scott Mitchell, FCT, developed the desired flame effect, in terms of colour, diameter and height. A 1/10 scale model was built and tested in a wind tunnel at Adelaide University to determine the optimum burner configuration and wind shielding required.

“The flame was watched by hundreds of millions around the Globe and its appearance is considered unprecedented,” Mr Daych said, in expressing to South Australian Manager Peter Smith, his appreciation of Fantech’s contribution to the project. “We are grateful to the Fantech team for the tremendous work done.”

Fantech is extremely proud to have been able to contribute to the flame of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.