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Cairo University
Faculty of engineering
Mass transfer 2
Cooling towers
Presented to:DrNagwa El Mansy
Cooling tower types and characteristics
1) Natural draft spray tower:
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Natural draft spray toyder
Characteristics and application:
. Air movement depends on induction forces.
. Fluid movement is parallel or cross flow.
. Low maintenance as no moving parts.
. No recirculation of air occurs.
. High pump head required as towers are high.
. Unobstructed location necessary.
'Performance depends on prevailing wind velocity and direction.
. Capital cost almost as high as for mechanical draft tower.
. Quiet operation and lower running costs.
. Rarely used in HVAC&R systems
2) Natural draft hyper-bolic tower:
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Natural draft hyperbolic tower
Characteristics and application:
. Stack effect increases with height.
. Better and more consistent performance than atmospheric towers.
. Low maintenance costs.
. Not suitable for high dry bulb applications.
. High capital cost due to size.
. Close water temperature control diffrcult.
. Used for high heat loads, large water flow rates and large approach temperatures.
. Rarely used in HVAC&R systems.
. Common in power generation and large industrial applications.
3) Forced draft tower:
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Forcecl draft counterflow ttlwer
Characteristics and application :
. Fan situated at air intake.
. High air entry and low exit velocities.
. May be susceptible to recirculation.
' Typically centrifugal fans with high resistance capability. . Generally noisier than
towers with axial flow fans.
. Generally incorporate fiIl.
. Discharge and intake air may be ducted.
' Fan, drive and motor located in dry air stream so less maintenance and corrosion is
likely.
' Fans located at lower level so less vibration and better access.
. Higher fan power requirement.
. Less physical space required for fan.
. Generally zero performance at zero fan speed.
. Common in HVAC&R applications
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4) Induced draft tower:
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Characteristics and aPPlication:
. Fan situated at air outlet usually at high level.
. High air exit and low air entry velocities so less prone to recirculation. ' Large
fans with low speed and noise possible.
. Lower drift potential.
. Can operate with or without fiIl.
. Fan, drive and motor located in moist air stream so electrical protection is required
ancl more maintenance and corrosion is likely.
. Fan more susceptible to vibration.
. Less access for maintenance.
. Generally smaller footprint than forced draft.
. Generally up to 0-15% performance at zero tan speed.
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. Common in HVAC&R aPPlications.
5) Counter-flow induced draft tower:
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Characteristics and application:
' Vertical air movement is induced in opposition to the water flow across the fill.
' Coldest water contacts the driest air for maximum performance. . can be
difficulties with access for maintenance.
. Flexible air inlet location.
. Air inlets on all sides reduce height and pump head.
. Better suited to sub zero operation.
. Good option with small packaged towers using centrifugal fans.
. Common in HVAC&R applications.
6) Cross flow induced draft tower:
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I nd uced draft douhle-fl owcrossfl CIw tower
Characteristics and application:
. Horizontal air movement is induced over the fill and water flows across the air
stream.
. Generally a larger plan area but lower height.
. Better access for maintenance.
. Lower pump,head required due to reduced height'
. Higher water loading reduces fouling potential.
. Risk of recirculation higher due to reduced height.
. Less tolerant of obstructions to airflow'
. Air inlets on two sides desirable.
. Good option with small packaged towers using propeller fans'
. Common in HVAC&R aPPlications'
7) Fluid cooler:
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Closed circuit cooling tower
Characteristics and application:
. A closed circuit cooling tower in which the process flLrid does not contact the
cooling air. r
. Different types of fluids can be cooled including water, plating solutions, quenching
oils, chemical solutions, gases, refrigerants and air. --
. The fluid cannot contact the atmosphere. -
. Only a small quantity of water is required in the open evaporating water circuit. !
. Can be natural, forced or induced draft. tl
. Reduced water treatment and corrosion. n
. Reduced pumping requirement. fl
. Can be heavier and larger than open circuit alternatives. Il
. Increased fan energy requirement. -i
. The tubes are sensitive to local dry areas caused by solid deposits. E
. Common in indr-rstrial applications
8) Evaporative condenser:
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Evaporative condenser
Characteristics and application:
. A closed circuit cooling tower in which the refrigerant is cooled or condensed
directly in a closed coil.
. Can be air or water cooled or both.
. Refrigerant management issues may restrict system location or size.
. Sometimes refeffed to as DX systems.
. Common in industrial/refrigeration applications
9) Ponds and fountains:
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Fountain
Characteristics and application:
. An attempt to combine the cooling tower heat reiection effect with an architectural
water feature.
. Water quality issues.
. Pubiic exposure issues.
. Lower perfbrmance levels expected.
. Performance depends on prevailing rvind velocity and direction.
. Rarely used in HVAC&R systems.
References
from
"Cooling Tower Types and Characteristics" , retrieved
://wlvw.hva
Tvnes-Table-2.l.ntlf
