What piece of equipment forces air through a smaller outlet for increased air velocity?

The piece of equipment that forces air through a smaller outlet for increased air velocity is a centrifugal blower. This type of blower operates on the principle of centrifugal force. Air enters the blower through the inlet and is drawn into a rotating impeller. As the impeller spins, it accelerates the air outwards toward the outer edge of the impeller. The design of the centrifugal blower, where the air is discharged at a right angle to the inlet, helps to convert the kinetic energy generated by the spinning impeller into increased air velocity as the air is forced out through a smaller outlet.

This increase in velocity is a result of the relationship between the outlet size and the airflow, making centrifugal blowers particularly effective for applications requiring high pressure and high airflow rates. Additionally, they can handle dust and other particulates effectively, making them suitable for industrial and HVAC applications.

In contrast, other types of blowers like radial, tube, and duct blowers may serve different purposes or operate under different principles, focusing more on air movement rather than maximizing air velocity through restricted outlets.