When fans were first invented, they were used to only blow air around to cool the environment. As our society advanced, however, the use of fans spread to many other areas of human endeavor; automotive, aviation, electronics, etc.

Now, apart from cooling, they are used for exhaust, combustion, aeration, ventilation, particulate transport, air-purification, and drying. So, depending on the specific requirements (pressure and airflow capabilities), the fans are designed accordingly.

A good example of an industrial fan is a centrifugal fan, also known as a centrifugal blower. In comparison to axial fans, they are more cost-effective and have a simpler design. They are extensively used in HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) and air pollution control systems.