Heat Laden Water:
Water from the condenser is discharged to the top of the fluid cooler.
It passes through spray nozzles that atomize water into finer droplets before reaching the fill material.
Fill Material:
Typically made of PVC or polypropylene (older cooling towers may use wood slats).
Slows water movement and maximizes contact between air and water to promote evaporation and efficiency.
Two types:
Splash fill: Breaks water into smaller droplets.
Film fill: Spreads water into a thin layer for enhanced evaporation.
Drift Eliminators:
Designed to remove water droplets from discharged air, reducing water loss.
Air and water droplets change direction, causing separation, and water is re-deposited into the tower.
Fans and Motors:
Fans must handle large air volumes with minimal vibration and resist corrosion.
Belt drive motors: Regularly inspect belts for wear or slippage. Adjust belt tension as needed.
Variable speed motors: Allow energy savings by matching the fan speed to the heat load from the condenser.
Makeup Water Assembly:
Freshwater line with a needle valve and float assembly maintains water levels.
Manually check the float to ensure proper water flow, as mineral deposits can obstruct the needle valve.
Water Treatment:
Use filtration technologies and chemical products to prevent toxins, biofilms, and fouling.
Chlorine dioxide is commonly used to disinfect and prevent microorganism growth.
pH levels should be between 6.5 and 7.
Cleaning and Blowdown:
Clean cooling towers twice a year to prevent biofilms and remove solids.
Blowdown removes solids from the basin, preventing clogging in the condenser tubes.
Blowdown should account for 5-10% of the makeup water flow rate.
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