Heat rejection device, plume abatement system and method

Abstract

In one aspect, a heat rejection device is provided that includes an evaporative heat exchanger and a primary fan operable to direct first ambient air into an air intake, cause the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger to produce heated air, and expel the heated air from an air exhaust. The heat rejection device includes a plume abatement fan operable to direct second ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger and a controller operably coupled to the primary fan and the plume abatement fan. The controller has a plume abatement mode in which the controller operates the plume abatement fan to cause the plume abatement fan to direct the second ambient air into contact with the heated air to cool the heated air and abate a plume.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 117,244, filed November 23, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a plume reduction system, and more specifically, to a plume reduction system for a heat exhaust device having an evaporative heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0004] Heat dissipation devices, such as cooling towers, may utilize one or more evaporative heat exchangers to cool process fluids. As used herein, the term evaporative heat exchanger refers to a heat exchanger that uses evaporative cooling to cool process fluids. Evaporative heat exchangers used in cooling towers may include direct evaporative heat exchangers, such as packed plates, in which the process fluid is directly cooled by the airflow. Alternatively, evaporative heat exchangers used in cooling towers may include indirect evaporative heat exchangers, in which the process fluid is separated from the cooling airflow by an intervention structure. For example, an indirect evaporative heat exchanger may include one or more serpentine loop pipes or plate cassettes having an interior through which the process fluid travels, and evaporative liquid distribution assemblies that distribute evaporative liquid onto the outer surface of the serpentine loop pipes.

[0005] Evaporative heat exchangers typically use water as the process fluid. Under certain atmospheric conditions, particularly in cold environments, the evaporative heat exchange process can cause plumes of evaporated water vapor to rise from the cooling tower. Under certain atmospheric conditions, when the density or concentration of the evaporated water vapor or moisture is too high to be immediately absorbed by the surrounding air, the plume can become visible. In the absence of wind above the cooling tower, the plume may rise in a roughly vertical direction. In light to strong wind conditions, the plume may follow the path of the wind. Depending on environmental conditions and the size of the cooling tower, the plume can extend from the cooling tower anywhere from a few feet to several thousand feet. As the concentrated moisture in the cooling tower exhaust mixes with the ambient air, it is eventually absorbed and dissipates until the plume is no longer visible.

[0006] Large plumes can be undesirable, especially near airports and in cities, as they can cause fog. Furthermore, plumes can obstruct or otherwise impair visibility and may appear to an observer as smoke carrying pollutants. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a first cooling tower including a direct evaporation heat exchanger and a visible plume rising from the cooling tower.

[0008] Figure 2 It shows a humidity map of a supersaturated condition region where plumes can be formed by the evaporative heat exchangers of a cooling tower.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a second cooling tower with a plume reduction system.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a third cooling tower with a plume reduction system.

[0011] Figure 5 The control logic that can be used with the second and third cooling towers is shown.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a fourth cooling tower with a plume reduction system.

[0013] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of a fifth cooling tower with an external plume reduction chamber.

[0014] Figure 7B It is along Figure 7A The line 7B-7B is cut off. Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of the lower part of the cooling tower.

[0015] Figure 8 The control logic that can be used with the fourth and fifth cooling towers is shown.

[0016] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of the first steam chimney with a plume reduction system.

[0017] Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of a second steam chimney with a plume reduction system.

[0018] Figure 10 The control logic that can be used with the first and second steam chimneys is shown.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth cooling tower with a plume reduction system.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the seventh cooling tower, which has a plume reduction system. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In one aspect of this disclosure, a heat dissipation device is provided, comprising an evaporative heat exchanger configured to cool a process fluid. The evaporative heat exchanger may include a direct heat exchanger and / or an indirect heat exchanger. The heat dissipation device includes at least one main fan operable to direct first ambient air into an inlet of the heat dissipation device, causing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air with an increased moisture content, and discharging the heated air from an exhaust port in the heat dissipation device. The heat dissipation device also includes at least one plume-reducing fan operable to direct ambient air around the evaporative heat exchanger and to contact and mix with the heated air. Adding cooler ambient air from the at least one plume-reducing fan to the heated air leaving the evaporative heat exchanger reduces the temperature difference between the heated air leaving the evaporative heat exchanger and the ambient air, thereby reducing the risk of plume formation when the mixed airflow leaves the cooling tower. The heat dissipation device includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one main fan and the at least one plume-reducing fan. The controller is configured to receive data from one or more sensors and / or from a remote computer. Based on this data, when the controller is in plume reduction mode, the controller determines whether to operate at least one plume reduction fan to guide ambient air into the cooling tower to contact and mix with the heated air leaving the evaporative heat exchanger.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least one plume-reducing fan is operable to direct ambient air into contact with and mix with heated air within the exhaust system (e.g., in the exhaust chamber of the exhaust system downstream of an evaporative heat exchanger). Alternatively or additionally, at least one plume-reducing fan is operable to direct ambient air into contact with and mix with heated air outside the exhaust system. For example, at least one plume-reducing fan may include at least one plume-reducing fan mounted near the outlet of the exhaust system and configured to direct ambient air into contact with and mix with heated cooling tower exhaust as the heated air exits the exhaust system outlet.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one main fan includes multiple fans, and a plume-reducing fan includes multiple fans. The controller has a cooling mode in which it rotates the main fan and the plume-reducing fan in a first direction, such that the main fan and the plume-reducing fan cooperate to direct first ambient air into an inlet, causing the first ambient air to interact with an evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air, and discharging the heated air from an exhaust port. When the controller determines to operate in plume-reducing mode, it rotates the plume-reducing fan in the opposite second direction while simultaneously rotating the main fan in the first direction. The rotation of the plume-reducing fan in the second direction causes it to direct ambient air into contact with and mix with the heated air to cool and reduce the moisture content of the heated air before it leaves the cooling tower.

[0024] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method for reducing a plume at a heat dissipation device is provided. The method includes drawing a first ambient airflow into the heat dissipation device and directing the first ambient airflow relative to an evaporative heat exchanger such that the first ambient airflow absorbs heat from the evaporative heat exchanger to form a heated air mixture within the heat dissipation structure. The method further includes drawing a second ambient airflow into the heat dissipation structure such that the second ambient airflow bypasses the evaporative heat exchanger and mixes with heated air discharged from the evaporative heat exchanger within the heat dissipation structure, forming a cooled air mixture before leaving a cooling tower. The second ambient airflow is drawn into the heat dissipation structure (e.g., via a fan) without passing through the evaporative heat exchanger. The temperature of the second ambient airflow may be lower than the temperature of the heated exhaust gas from the evaporative heat exchanger within the heat dissipation structure. The method further includes discharging the cooled air mixture from the heat dissipation structure.

[0025] The method may include rotating a first fan in a first direction to draw in a first ambient airflow through an evaporative heat exchanger, and may include rotating a second fan in a second direction opposite to the first direction to draw a second ambient airflow into a heat exhaust structure. After discharging the cooling air mixture from the heat exhaust structure, the method may include directing a third ambient airflow into the cooling air mixture to further cool it and reduce the moisture content of the discharged cooling air mixture, thereby reducing the plume.

[0026] In another aspect of this disclosure, a plume reduction system for a heat dissipation structure is provided. The plume reduction system may be an aftercooler for an evaporative heat exchanger. The system includes a first fan for drawing in a first ambient airflow through the evaporative heat exchanger and into the heat dissipation structure, such that the first ambient airflow absorbs heat from the evaporative heat exchanger to form a heated air mixture within the heat dissipation structure. The system also includes a second fan for drawing a second ambient airflow into the heat dissipation structure, bypassing the evaporative heat exchanger, such that the second ambient airflow mixes with heated air leaving the evaporative heat exchanger within the heat dissipation structure, forming a cooled air mixture before leaving the heat dissipation structure. The second airflow is drawn into the heat dissipation structure without passing through the evaporative heat exchanger.

[0027] In one approach, the plume reduction determination method can be implemented via a controller for the heat dissipation structure. For example, before implementing plume reduction measures, the method may include control logic via the controller to determine whether a plume is expected to form from the cooling tower, taking into account current and / or anticipated atmospheric conditions. If no plume is expected to form, the method may continue to monitor for potential plume formation. If plume formation is expected, the method may continue to determine whether plume reduction can be performed while still meeting cooling requirements. If cooling requirements are insufficient for implementing plume reduction measures, the method may continue to monitor changes in cooling requirements and may continue to monitor atmospheric conditions for potential plume formation. If cooling requirements are sufficient for implementing plume reduction measures, the routine can continue to implement the plume reduction measures.

[0028] Now for reference Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an evaporation system 10 for a heat dissipation device (such as a cooling tower 12), which lacks plume reduction features. The evaporation system 10 includes a hot water tank 20 and an evaporative heat exchanger, which may be in the form of a crossflow packing 22. In another approach, the evaporative heat exchanger may be an indirect evaporative heat exchanger coil containing the process fluid. During cooling, a heated process fluid (e.g., water) is pumped into the hot water tank 20. The heated water is distributed from the hot water tank 20 onto the packing 22 (e.g., via orifices or nozzles 24). The water then flows downwards along the packing 22 by gravity and is cooled by ambient air (indicated by 32), which is drawn in through an exhaust port 31 by one or more main fans (e.g., fan 30) to interact with the packing 22. The cooled water is then collected in a cold water tank 34 and returned to the system's process flow.

[0029] During the cooling process, a portion of the water traveling along the packing 22 evaporates to form water vapor. This water vapor is drawn into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 of the cooling tower 12 by a fan 30, which may be located between the packing 22 and the exhaust port 31. The water vapor is then discharged from the cooling tower 12 through the exhaust port 41 by the fan 30. Under certain atmospheric conditions, the discharged exhaust gas 42 forms one or more plumes 44 on the outside of the cooling tower 12.

[0030] More specifically, now refer to Figure 2 The diagram 50 shows humidity, with the plume region 52 located above the saturation curve 72. The plume region 52 represents the atmospheric conditions under which a plume may occur when the exhaust gas 42 comes into contact with ambient air. Air with conditions falling within the plume region 52 is supersaturated air; that is, the relative humidity of the air is greater than 100%. Excess moisture in the supersaturated air condenses into droplets, and the suspension of these droplets in the air creates the plume.

[0031] Line 54 describes the air conditions during air circulation in an example cooling tower. As discussed, one or more fans 30 draw ambient air into the cooling tower 12. Before entering the cooling tower 12, the dry-bulb temperature of the ambient air is 21°F and the wet-bulb temperature is 17°F, as indicated in condition 60. When the air passes through an evaporative heat exchanger (e.g., Figure 1 When the filling material 22 is used, the air absorbs heat and moisture from the heated water traveling through the evaporative heat exchanger. When this heated air is discharged from the cooling tower 12, as indicated in condition 62, Figure 1 The exhaust gas 42 is at a dry-bulb temperature of 65°F and a wet-bulb temperature of 65°F. As the heated exhaust gas 42 mixes with the cooler ambient air, the conditions of exhaust gas 42 follow line 54 from condition 62 (65°F dry-bulb) to condition 64 (56°F dry-bulb), to condition 66 (46°F dry-bulb), to condition 68 (38°F dry-bulb), to condition 70 (30°F dry-bulb), and finally to ambient air condition 60 (21°F dry-bulb). In this example, when exhaust gas 42 is between conditions 62 and 70 on line 54, the air is above saturation curve 72, indicated, for example, at 66′. This air is supersaturated, and excess water vapor will be considered a plume. Once the plume 44 of exhaust gas 42 is fully mixed with ambient air at condition 60, the air saturation is below saturation curve 72, and the plume 44 dissipates completely. However, this may not occur before the plume reaches a distance of several feet to several thousand feet from the cooling tower.

[0032] To reduce or eliminate plumes, plume reduction measures can be implemented to force ambient air to mix with the exhaust air 42 immediately after it exits the cooling tower. Such measures may include regulation. Figure 1 The operation of one or more fans 30 (e.g., adjusting the direction of fan blade rotation) tilts the axis of rotation of one or more fans 30 to improve mixing within the exhaust gas collection chamber 40, and / or provides additional components, as discussed in more detail below. The plume reduction measures discussed herein can reduce the temperature and / or moisture content of the exhaust gas discharged from the cooling tower, so that the exhaust gas discharged from the cooling tower exits under atmospheric conditions corresponding to the conditions between conditions 62 and 60 on line 54.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 A cooling tower 102 is provided, comprising a plume reduction system 100, the cooling tower 102 being configured to include a plume reduction system 100. Figure 1The cooling tower 12 shown has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The cooling tower 12 has an evaporative heat exchanger, such as packing 22, which may be housed in the external structure of the cooling tower 102. The cooling tower 102 also has a fan 130, which includes a main fan such as fan 130A and plume-reducing fans 130B, 130C. The plume-reducing system 100 may include a controller 110 for controlling various components of the cooling tower 102 (e.g., fans, dampers, etc.) to cool the process fluid and reduce plumes. As discussed in more detail below, when the controller 110 is operating in cooling mode, the plume-reducing fan 130B may rotate in a first direction to cooperate with fan 130A, thereby directing air into the air inlet 131 of the cooling tower 102, through the packing 22 into the internal air collection chamber 40, and out from the exhaust port 133 of the cooling tower 102. When the controller 110 is operating in plume reduction mode, the plume reduction fan 130B rotates in the opposite second direction to guide ambient air 132 into the collection chamber 40, where it mixes with the heated air mixture 144 downstream of the filler 22 and upstream of the exhaust port 133. The ambient air 132, mixed with the heated air mixture 144 in the collection chamber 40, cools and reduces the moisture content of the heated air mixture 144 before it exits from the exhaust port 133, thus reducing or eliminating plume formation.

[0034] The controller 110 may include a memory 112, a processor 114, and a communication circuit 116. The memory 112 is configured to store information such as plume reduction commands, predetermined setpoint temperatures or setpoint temperature ranges, and dead zone temperature values ​​(discussed in more detail below). The processor 114 is configured to execute commands stored in the memory 1120, such as starting, stopping, accelerating, decelerating, reversing, etc., one or more fans, and / or adjusting one or more dampers to partially or fully open or closed positions. The communication circuit 116 is configured to send and / or receive wired and / or wireless communications. For example, the communication circuit 116 may be configured to communicate directly or indirectly with a control station to receive commands or send system information.

[0035] In the method shown, fans 130A and 130B are positioned above and beyond the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 of the cooling tower 102. Fans 130A and 130B may include a motor and fan blades driven by the motor. The blades of fans 130A and 130B are typically rotatable in a common plane, or may be as described above. Figure 4As discussed, the fans 130A and 130B can be direct-drive fans, and their speeds can be independently controlled and varied to cool the process fluid discharged from the cooling tower 102 to a setpoint temperature. For example, when cooling demand increases, the fan speed can be increased to cause a higher airflow rate through the packing 22, thereby increasing the cooling rate at the packing 22. When cooling demand decreases, the fan speed can be decreased, resulting in a lower airflow rate through the packing 22.

[0036] One or more of fans 130A and 130B are configured to rotate in a first direction (e.g., guiding ambient air 32 through filler 22 and guiding exhaust gas out of exhaust gas collection chamber 40) and are further configured to rotate in the opposite second direction (e.g., guiding ambient air 132 into exhaust gas collection chamber 40). The fan rotating in the first direction removes air from exhaust gas collection chamber 40, which tends to reduce the pressure in exhaust gas collection chamber 40, while the fan rotating in the second direction guides air around evaporative heat exchanger 22 into exhaust gas collection chamber 40, which tends to increase the pressure in exhaust gas collection chamber 40. In one example, when environmental conditions prevent the formation of a plume, as determined by controller 110, fans 130A and 130B can be operated to run in the same direction to cause ambient air 32 to flow through filler 22 into exhaust gas collection chamber 40 and exhaust air out of exhaust gas collection chamber 40 as exhaust gas 142. When fans 130A and 130B operate in the same direction to discharge exhaust gas from exhaust chamber 40, they can be controlled to operate at the same speed or different speeds.

[0037] When environmental conditions dictate that the hot exhaust 142 will cause a plume, as determined by the control logic of the controller 110 of the cooling tower 102 or by the input of the plume detector 146, and the cooling requirements of the cooling tower 102 can be met by activating plume reduction measures, one or more fans 130A, 130B can be operated to rotate in opposite directions. For example, fan 130A, which may be referred to as the main fan, can operate as an "updraft" fan in a first direction, drawing in ambient air 32 through the filler 22 and driving exhaust 142 out of the exhaust chamber 40, while fan 130B, which may be referred to as a plume reduction or auxiliary fan, operates as a "downdraft" fan in the opposite second direction, driving ambient air 132 from above the cooling tower 12 into the exhaust chamber 40 without guiding ambient air 132 through the filler 22. When plume reduction is not required or is unavailable, fan 130B can operate as an updraft fan in the first direction and can switch to operate as a downdraft fan in the second direction in plume reduction mode.

[0038] The ambient air 132 driven into the cooling tower 12 by fan 130B may have a lower temperature and moisture content than the heated air mixture 144 drawn into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 by fan 130A through filler 22. The ambient air 132 driven into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 by fan 130B mixes with the heated air mixture 144 within the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 before the lower-temperature and lower-moisture-content exhaust gas 142 from the cooling tower 12 driven by fan 130A. In this way, the exhaust gas 142 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 driven by fan 130A has previously been cooled by the ambient air 142 guided into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 by fan 130B. By cooling the air in the exhaust gas collection chamber 40, the exhaust gas 142 can be cooled along line 54 (see...). Figure 2 The pre-cooled exhaust gas exits the cooling tower 102 at or below the 100% relative humidity line 72, which reduces or eliminates the plume. For example, the pre-cooled exhaust gas exits the cooling tower 102 at points 64, 66, 68, or 70, but not at point 62. If the pre-cooled exhaust gas exits the cooling tower 102 between points 70 and 62, a plume can be observed, but its intensity is less than if the exhaust gas were at point 62. At point 70, the moisture content of the exhaust gas 142 matches the maximum moisture content of the ambient air. The exhaust gas 142 is not supersaturated and therefore does not induce a plume.

[0039] The control logic of controller 110 can continuously determine how many fans 130A and 130B are needed to meet the cooling tower load, and how many fans are available to suppress the plume. Controller 110 can independently control fan parameters (e.g., direction and / or speed) to optimize plume suppression. For example, in an alternative approach, one or more fans 130B can be operated to draw in ambient air 32 through filler 22 and exhaust 142 from exhaust chamber 40, while one or more fans 130A are operated to drive ambient air 132 from above cooling tower 12 into exhaust chamber 40.

[0040] In one approach, cooling tower 102 includes one or more auxiliary or external fans 130C to mix additional ambient air 152 with exhaust gas 142 exiting exhaust gas collector 40. This mixing of additional ambient air 152 with exhaust gas 142 can reduce the temperature and moisture content of exhaust gas 142, thereby further reducing or eliminating the plume above cooling tower 102. The external fan 130C may be mounted near exhaust port 133. For example, the external fan 130C may be positioned on the outer side of an external structure of cooling tower 102 (e.g., at the top or surface). The external fan 130C may include one or more attachment mechanisms that allow the external fan 130C to move relative to cooling tower 102. In this way, components below the external fan 130C (e.g., hot water tank 20) ​​can become accessible (e.g., for maintenance). In one example, a hinge 154 is provided to allow the external fan 130C to pivot relative to cooling tower 102. In another example, the external fan 130C may be slidably mounted relative to the cooling tower (e.g., along guide rails). An external fan 130C with an associated plume reduction logic controller 110 can be added to existing evaporative heat exchanger or cooling tower applications as a “modification” component for plume reduction.

[0041] The speed and direction of each of the fans 130A, 130B, and 130C can be controlled independently. In this way, the control logic of the controller 110 can determine the optimal use of fans 130A, 130B, and 130C to meet the cooling tower load, while reducing the plume when necessary.

[0042] refer to Figure 4 A cooling tower 202 is provided, which includes a plume reduction system 200, the cooling tower 202 comprising... Figure 1 The cooling tower 12 shown in the figure has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The plume reduction system 200 may include a controller 210 having a memory 212, a processor 214, communication circuitry 216, and a plume detector 146, which may be similar to Figure 3 Those components.

[0043] When the plume reduction system 200 operates the cooling tower 202 in plume reduction mode, the auxiliary or plume reduction fan (e.g., fan 230B) can operate in the opposite direction of rotation to fan 230A (which may be referred to as the main fan). In this way, fan 230A draws in ambient air 32 through inlet 231 and through serpentine coil 22', and drives exhaust 242 out of exhaust chamber 40 through exhaust port 233, while fan 230B drives ambient air 232 into exhaust chamber 40. The temperature and moisture content of the ambient air 232 driven into exhaust chamber 40 by fan 230B can be lower than that of the heated air mixture 244 drawn into exhaust chamber 40 by fan 230B through packing 22. Ambient air 232 driven into exhaust gas chamber 40 by fan 230B mixes with and cools heated air mixture 244 in exhaust gas chamber 40 downstream of filler 22 and before exhaust gas 242 from cooling tower 12 driven by fan 230A (e.g. upstream of exhaust port 233), thereby reducing the moisture content of heated air mixture 244.

[0044] In this method, the rotation axes of one or more fans 230A, 230B can be tilted or offset relative to the vertical direction, represented by angles 234A and 234B, respectively. The rotation axis of fan 230A can be tilted relative to the rotation axis of fan 230B. In the example method shown, fan 230B can be tilted outward to facilitate the intake of ambient air 232 along a path away from exhaust 242, while fan 230A is tilted inward to guide exhaust 242 more vertically and away from the path of ambient air 232. The optional tilting of the fans also helps to mix the ambient air 232 within the exhaust gas chamber 40 before it is exhausted by fan 230A.

[0045] In one embodiment, the plume reduction system 200 may be equipped with one or more external fans (e.g., Figure 3 An external fan (130C) is used to provide further plume reduction.

[0046] refer to Figure 5 A method 201 for controlling a plume reduction system of a heat dissipation structure is shown. A plume reduction system can typically correspond to... Figure 3 Plume reduction system 100 or Figure 4 The plume reduction system 200. The heat dissipation structure can be a cooling tower, for example... Figure 3 Cooling tower 102 or Figure 4 Cooling tower 202.

[0047] Method 201 includes determining whether the cooling tower cooling mode is activated. As discussed, when the cooling tower is operating in cooling mode, heated evaporative fluid (e.g., water) is distributed along the evaporative heat exchanger packing 22, coils, and / or plates. One or more fans (e.g., Figure 3 130A fan or Figure 4 The fan 230A draws in ambient air 32 through the filler 22 and discharges exhaust 242 from the exhaust collection chamber 40.

[0048] When the cooling tower is operating in cooling mode, method 201 includes determining, via control logic of controllers 110, 210, whether the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid 205 is greater than a threshold temperature or a threshold temperature range. The temperature of the heated evaporating liquid can be measured before the heated evaporating fluid passes through an evaporative heat exchanger (e.g., packing 22). For example, the temperature can be measured within the hot water pool 20 or at another location upstream of the packing 22, or at the inlet or outlet of the process.

[0049] The threshold temperature range can include a predetermined setpoint temperature and a dead zone temperature value. For example, the setpoint temperature could be 85°F and the dead zone temperature could be 2°F, resulting in a threshold temperature range of 83°F to 87°F.

[0050] When the heated evaporating fluid is above a threshold temperature range (e.g., 90°F in the example above), the current operation of the cooling tower may be insufficient to meet the cooling demand. Therefore, method 201 may include determining whether actions to increase cooling capacity are available. For example, method 201 includes determining 207 whether one or more upflow fans are operating at maximum speed. If one or more upflow fans are not operating at maximum speed, method 201 includes increasing 209 the speed of one or more upflow fans. Method 201 then returns to operation 203, and if the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is still above the threshold temperature range and not all upflow fans are operating at maximum speed, operation 203 is repeated.

[0051] If the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is above a threshold temperature range and all upflow fans are operating at maximum speed, the method includes adjusting one or more downflow fans operating in a plume-reducing downflow mode by blowing ambient air into the exhaust manifold. For example, if the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is above a threshold temperature range and some fans are operating in upflow mode while others are operating in plume-reducing downflow mode, method 201 may include reducing the speed of the downflow fans to reduce the amount of ambient air entering manifold 40. If this is still insufficient to maintain a suitable temperature, method 201 includes changing the operation of the fans in plume-reducing downflow mode to upflow mode to provide more airflow being directed through filler 22. If the cooling tower is equipped with auxiliary or external plume-reducing fans located near the exhaust port (e.g., Figure 3 If the temperature is above 130°C and all fans inside the cooling tower are running at maximum upward airflow speed (i.e., so that no internal fans are used for plume reduction), and the temperature is still above the set point, the speed of the auxiliary plume fans can be adjusted to reduce the plumes outside the cooling tower. In this case, method 201 continues to increase the speed of one or more external plume reduction fans by 215.

[0052] In one embodiment, if the cooling tower includes one or more external fans, for example Figure 3 If the external fan 130C is used, then method 201 may include determining whether the cooling tower 213 is operating in a plume reduction mode and whether a plume has been detected or predicted (e.g., determined or notified by controller 110 or 210). If the cooling tower is operating in a plume reduction mode and a plume has been detected or predicted, then method 201 includes increasing the speed of one or more external fans 215.

[0053] As discussed, method 201 includes adjusting 211 the speed or direction of one or more downflow fans that blow ambient air into the exhaust gas chamber. When the direction of the downflow fans is reversed, the method also includes determining 217 whether all fans are operating as upflow fans. When all fans are operating as upflow fans, the fans can operate at the same speed 219, which can be the maximum speed of each fan set in operation 209. With all fans operating at maximum speed as upflow fans, the cooling tower operates in maximum cooling mode.

[0054] Returning to operation 205, if the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is not greater than a threshold temperature range, one or more plume-reducing fans (e.g., fans 130B or 230B) can operate in plume-reducing mode. Therefore, method 201 includes determining 221 whether the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is less than a threshold temperature range. A working fluid temperature (e.g., 80°F) less than a threshold temperature range (e.g., 83°F to 87°F) may indicate supercooling, and after such determination, method 201 may include reducing 223 the speed of one or more updraft fans.

[0055] The cooling tower is achieving the desired evaporator temperature when the temperature of the heated evaporator fluid is neither greater than nor less than the threshold temperature range (i.e., it is equal to the temperature within the threshold temperature range). Method 201 may continue to implement one or more plume reduction measures when instructed and as necessary.

[0056] In this way, method 201 includes determining whether the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode and whether the plume has been detected or predicted (e.g., determined or notified by controllers 110 or 210). Determining 225 may include determining plume conditions based at least in part on ambient air variables (e.g., dry-bulb temperature). If the cooling tower is not operating in plume reduction mode and the plume has neither been detected nor predicted, method 201 returns to operation 203.

[0057] If the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode, and the plume has been detected or predicted, method 201 includes determining whether one or more updraft fans (227) are operating at maximum speed. If one or more updraft fans are not operating at maximum speed, plume reduction measures can be implemented without reducing the cooling efficiency of the updraft fans. In this way, method 201 may include increasing the fan speed of one or more downdraft fans (229) to draw in additional ambient air into the exhaust gas chamber of the cooling tower. Furthermore, if the cooling tower includes one or more external fans, such as… Figure 3 If the external fan 130C is used, then method 201 may include increasing the speed of one or more external fans 231 to further reduce the plume.

[0058] When all upflow fans are running at maximum speed, the additional ambient air in the exhaust manifold may reduce the cooling efficiency of the upflow fans. Therefore, if all upflow fans are running at maximum speed, the downflow speed can remain constant, and method 201 can return to operation 203. However, even when all upflow fans are running at maximum speed, external fans may still reduce the plume, thus not reducing the cooling efficiency of the upflow fans. Therefore, if the cooling tower includes one or more external fans, for example... Figure 3If the external fan 130C is used, then method 201 may include increasing the speed of one or more external fans 231 to further reduce the plume.

[0059] refer to Figure 6 A cooling tower 302 is provided, comprising a plume reduction system 300, the cooling tower 302 including a plume reduction system 300, the cooling tower 302 ... Figure 1 The cooling tower 12 shown has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The plume reduction system 300 may include a controller 310 having a memory 312, a processor 314, communication circuitry 316, and a plume detector 346, which may be similar to... Figure 3 Those components.

[0060] The plume reduction system 300 may include a single fan 330A, which may be referred to as the main fan, extending over the exhaust collection chamber 40. The fan 330A can be operated to draw in ambient air 32 through the inlet 331 and the filler 22, and to exhaust exhaust 342 from the exhaust collection chamber 40. In another approach, multiple fans (e.g.) are provided. Figure 1 The fan 30 draws in ambient air 32 through the filler 22 and exhausts exhaust 342 from the exhaust chamber 40. In another method, one or more fans (e.g., Figure 3 The fan 130A draws in ambient air 32 through the filling material 22 and drives the exhaust 342 out of the exhaust chamber 40, while providing one or more fans (e.g., Figure 3 The fan 130B drives ambient air 352 into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. One or more fans may be used as described above. Figure 4 As described, it forms an angle.

[0061] and Figure 3 Similar to cooling tower 102, Figure 6 The cooling tower 302 may include one or more auxiliary fans (e.g., external fan 330B) for mixing additional ambient air 352 with exhaust gas 342 exiting the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. This mixing of the additional ambient air 352 with the exhaust gas 342 can reduce the temperature and moisture content in the exhaust gas 342, thereby reducing or eliminating the plume above the cooling tower 302. The external fan 330B may be movably connected to the cooling tower 302 (e.g., via hinge 354) to allow access (e.g., for maintenance) to components of the cooling tower 302.

[0062] Cooling tower 302 may also include one or more dampers 360, which may be adjusted to allow additional ambient air 362 from outside cooling tower 302 to be drawn into exhaust gas chamber 40 via fan 330A to mix with heated air in exhaust gas chamber 40 from downstream of packing 22 and upstream of exhaust port 333. A damper motor 364 may be provided to adjust the position of damper 360 via a damper linkage 366 connected to damper 360. The position of damper 360 (e.g., fully open, partially open, or fully closed) may be operated by controller 310 of cooling tower 302 to reduce plume. For example, when cooling tower 302 meets cooling requirements and fan 330A is operating at less than 100% fan speed, damper motor 364 may open damper 360 to reduce plume.

[0063] One or more auxiliary plume-reducing fans 370 may also be provided to add additional ambient air 362 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 when additional plume reduction is required. The plume-reducing fans 370 may be mounted on an outer or inner wall of the cooling tower 302 and may be configured to rotate about an axis transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the axis of rotation of the fan 330A. The plume-reducing fans 370 may be positioned near a damper 360 and below the fan 330A, such that the plume-reducing fans 370 draw additional ambient air 362 into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 through the damper 360 before the mixture of ambient air 32 heated by the fan 330A and additional ambient air 362 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 is formed. In plume-reducing mode, the damper 360 may be fully opened to reduce the plume, and the plume-reducing fans 370 may be opened to add additional ambient air 362 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The speed of the feather reduction fan 370 can also be controlled to control the ambient airflow through the damper 360.

[0064] refer to Figure 7A A cooling tower 402 is provided, comprising a plume reduction system 400, the cooling tower 402 including a plume reduction system 400, the cooling tower 402 ... Figure 1 The cooling tower 12 shown has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The plume reduction system 400 may include a controller 410 having a memory 412, a processor 414, communication circuitry 416, and a plume detector 446, which may be similar to... Figure 3 Those components.

[0065] Cooling tower 402 may include a single fan 430, which may be referred to as the main fan, extending over exhaust gas chamber 40. Fan 430 can be operated to draw in ambient air 32 through inlet 431 and filler 22, and drive exhaust air 442 out of exhaust gas chamber through outlet 433. In another approach, multiple fans (e.g.) are provided. Figure 1The fan 30) draws in ambient air 32 through the filler 22 and drives exhaust 442 out of the exhaust chamber 40. In another method, one or more (e.g., Figure 3 The fan 130A draws in ambient air 32 through the filler 22 and drives exhaust 442 out of the exhaust chamber 40, and provides one or more fans (e.g., Figure 3 The fan 130B drives ambient air 452 into the exhaust gas chamber 40. One or more fans may be used as described above. Figure 4 As described, it forms an angle.

[0066] Cooling tower 402 may further include one or more louvers or dampers 460 located at the base of cooling tower 402, which can be adjusted to allow additional ambient air 462 to be drawn into the exhaust gas chamber by fan 430. Damper motor 464 may be configured to adjust the position of damper 460 via damper linkage 466. Damper 460 may be positioned in the ground or in the raised portion 470 of cold water pool 34. In this way, in addition to drawing in ambient air 32 through packing 22, fan 430 may also draw in additional ambient air 462 from below the shown portion of cold water pool 34 to mix with heated air from downstream of packing 22 and upstream of exhaust port 441. This allows ambient air to enter cooling tower 402 from below, which may be advantageous in several situations. For example, multi-unit cooling towers may have cooling towers installed side by side, making it impossible to install dampers on the sides of the cooling towers. The damper 460 allows ambient air to be introduced into the cooling tower 402 to reduce the plume without increasing the height of the cooling tower 402.

[0067] The position of damper 460 (e.g., fully open, partially open, or fully closed) can be adjusted by controller 410 of cooling tower 402 to reduce plume. For example, when cooling tower 402 meets cooling demand and fan 430 is operating at less than 100% fan speed, damper motor 464 can open damper 460 to reduce plume. Similar to... Figure 6 One or more auxiliary ambient air fans of the fan 370 in the cooling tower 402 may be positioned above or below the damper 460 to further control the amount of ambient air entering the cooling tower 402.

[0068] For reference only Figure 7B The protrusion 470 and damper 460 are horizontally offset from the packing 22. During operation, cooled process water dripping from the packing 22 falls onto the side of the protrusion 470 of the cold water tank 34. The cold water tank 34 includes a partition channel wall 472 that directs water to the lower storage tank portion 474 of the cold water tank 34 and away from the damper 460 before the water leaves the cooling tower 12 through the outlet 476.

[0069] Refer again Figure 7A The plume reduction system 400 may further include a mixing chamber, such as an external mixing chamber 480, disposed above the cooling tower 12 (e.g., above the fan 430), for receiving exhaust gas 442 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The external mixing chamber 480 may have straight sidewalls or may have sloping walls as shown, to serve as a chimney for velocity recovery.

[0070] The external mixing chamber 480 may include one or more auxiliary fans, such as a plume-reducing fan 482, to introduce ambient air into the external mixing chamber 480. The plume-reducing fan 482 may be positioned above the fan 430 such that it drives additional ambient air into the external mixing chamber 480 to mix with a mixture of heated ambient air 32 and additional ambient air 462 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 downstream of the filler 22. The speeds of the fan 430 and the plume-reducing fan 482 may be controlled independently. The external mixing chamber 480 may further include one or more air agitators or air mixers 484 to mix the additional ambient air with exhaust gas 442 received from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 within the external mixing chamber 480. An air mixer 484 may be positioned above the plume-reducing fan 482 and between the plume-reducing fan 482 and the upper portion 486 of the external mixing chamber 480, such that mixing of exhaust 442 and additional ambient air introduced by the plume-reducing fan 482 occurs before exhaust 442 leaves the cooling tower 12. In this way, during high load periods, when damper 460 is not open and fan 430 is running to meet the cooling tower load (e.g., running at 100% fan speed), the plume-reducing fan 482 can operate to add ambient air into the external mixing chamber 480 to reduce the plume.

[0071] refer to Figure 8 This illustrates another method 401 for controlling a plume reduction system for a heat dissipation structure. A plume reduction system can typically correspond to... Figure 6 Plume reduction system 300 or Figure 7A and Figure 7B The plume reduction system 400. The heat dissipation structure can be a cooling tower, for example. Figure 6 Cooling tower 302 or Figure 7A and Figure 7B Cooling tower 402.

[0072] and Figure 5Similar to method 201, method 401 includes determining 403 whether the cooling mode of the cooling tower is activated. When the cooling tower is operating in cooling mode, method 401 includes determining 405 whether the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is greater than a threshold temperature or a threshold temperature range via the control logic of controllers 310, 410. When the heated evaporating fluid is greater than the threshold temperature range, method 401 includes determining 407 whether one or more upflow fans are operating at maximum speed. If one or more upflow fans are not operating at maximum speed, method 401 includes increasing 409 the speed of one or more upflow fans. Method 401 then returns to operation 403, and repeats operation 403 if the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is still greater than the threshold temperature range and not all upflow fans are operating at maximum speed.

[0073] If the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is above a threshold temperature, and all updraft fans are operating at maximum speed, method 401 includes closing one or more ambient air dampers 411 to a partially or fully closed position. For example, Figure 6 The damper motor 364 can adjust the position of the damper 360 to a partially or fully closed position via the damper linkage 366, or Figure 7A and Figure 7B The damper motor 464 can adjust the position of the damper 460 to a partially or fully closed position via the damper linkage 466. In this way, the cooling efficiency of the cooling tower can be improved by allowing less ambient air to bypass the evaporative heat exchanger.

[0074] After closing the ambient air damper in operation 411, method 401 may further include determining 413 whether the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode and whether a plume has been detected or predicted. If the cooling tower is not operating in plume reduction mode, method 401 returns to operation 403. If the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode, the fans are running upwards at maximum fan speed, and a plume has been detected or predicted, then method 401 may include adding 415 one or more external fans (e.g., Figure 6 External fan 330B or Figure 7A The speed of the plume reduction fan (482) is used to reduce the plume.

[0075] Returning to operation 405, if the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is not greater than a threshold temperature range, then method 401 includes determining 421 whether the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is less than the threshold temperature range. A fluid temperature below the threshold temperature range may indicate supercooling, and after such determination, method 401 may include reducing 423 the speed of one or more updraft fans.

[0076] If the temperature of the heated evaporating fluid is not lower than the threshold temperature range (i.e., it is equal to the temperature within the threshold temperature range), method 401 includes determining 425 whether the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode and whether a plume has been detected or predicted. If the cooling tower is not operating in plume reduction mode, method 401 returns to operation 403.

[0077] When the cooling tower is operating in plume reduction mode and the plume has been detected or predicted, method 401 includes determining 427 whether one or more updraft fans are operating at maximum speed. When all updraft fans are operating at maximum speed, additional ambient air in the exhaust manifold may reduce the cooling efficiency of the updraft fans, and therefore, the dampers remain closed or substantially closed. However, when the updraft fans are operating at maximum speed without reducing their cooling efficiency, elevated fans positioned above the updraft fans may still reduce the plume. Therefore, if the cooling tower includes one or more elevated fans, for example... Figure 6 External fan 130B or Figure 7A If the plume-reducing fan 482 is used, then method 401 may include increasing the speed of one or more overhead fans 429 to further reduce the plume.

[0078] If one or more updraft fans are not operating at maximum speed, method 401 may include implementing one or more plume reduction features, such as opening one or more ambient air dampers 431 to a partially or fully open position. For example, Figure 6 The damper motor 364 can adjust the position of the damper 360 to a partially or fully open position via the damper linkage 366, or Figure 7A and Figure 7B The damper motor 464 can adjust the position of the damper 460 to a partially or fully open position via the damper linkage 466. In this way, additional ambient air can be drawn into the exhaust gas chamber by the updraft fan for mixing with the saturated air passing through the packing, thereby reducing the plume at the cooling tower.

[0079] In one embodiment, before opening one or more ambient air dampers (431) and one or more updraft fans operating at below maximum speed, method 401 may include determining the ambient air damper (433) (e.g., Figure 6 360° air damper or Figure 7A and Figure 7B Whether the air damper 460 is fully open. If the air damper is fully open, the method may include increasing the speed of one or more plume suppressing fans 435 (including turning on one or more plume suppressing fans). The plume suppressing fans can typically correspond to... Figure 6The plume reduction fan 370 can be positioned adjacent to the damper 360, so that the plume reduction fan 370 drives or draws in additional ambient air 362 through the damper 360 and into the exhaust gas chamber to mix with the heated saturated air and reduce the plume.

[0080] refer to Figure 9A and Figure 9B A steam chimney 502 is provided, including plume reduction systems 500A and 500B. The steam chimney 502 can receive saturated or supersaturated air (e.g., from a steam turbine) at a steam source 510. The plume reduction systems 500A and 500B may include one or more plume reduction features in a chamber 508 for introducing ambient air 506 into the steam chimney 502. For example, Figure 9A The steam chimney 502 includes one or more plume suppression fans 504A, and Figure 9B The steam chimney 502 includes one or more ambient air dampers 504B, wherein ambient air is drawn into the steam chimney 502 via the Venturi effect. A plume suppression fan 504A can be configured to, similar to the... Figure 6 The feather reduction fan 370 and / or related to the discussed feather reduction fan Figure 7A The feather reduction fan 482 discussed operates in the manner described. The ambient air damper 504B can be configured to operate in relation to... Figure 6 The ambient air damper 360 discussed operates in a similar manner to that described. In another approach, the steam chimney may include both a plume-reducing fan and an ambient air damper, similar to the approach described above. Figure 6 The cooling tower 302 under discussion.

[0081] The feather reduction systems 500A and 500B may also include one or more auxiliary fans, such as an external fan 512. The external fan 512 can be configured to interact with... Figure 3 The external fan 130C discussed and / or about Figure 6 The internal fan 330B discussed operates in a similar manner to that described. In this way, the external fan 512 can mix ambient air 506 only outside the exhaust area 514 of the steam chimney 502 to further reduce the plume 516. The external fan 512 can be installed with a new steam chimney 502 or can be retrofitted to an existing steam chimney 502.

[0082] The plume reduction systems 500A and 500B may include a controller 520, which has a memory 522, a processor 524, a communication circuit 526, and a plume detector 546, and may be similar to Figure 3 Those components.

[0083] In another approach, a similar method can be provided at the top of the steam chimney 502. Figure 7A The plume reduction system 400 is a plume reduction system. For example, a mixing chamber similar to an external mixing chamber 480 may be disposed above a steam chimney 502 to receive exhaust gas from an exhaust gas collection chamber at the top of the steam chimney. The external mixing chamber may have straight sidewalls or may have sloping walls to operate as a chimney for restoring velocity. The external mixing chamber may include one or more auxiliary fans (in addition to or replacing fan 512) similar to the plume reduction fan 482 to introduce ambient air into the external mixing chamber without significantly affecting the operation of the steam chimney. An air mixer similar to an air mixer 484 may also be included to agitate the steam exhaust gas and fresh ambient air before releasing the mixed steam and ambient air into the environment to reduce or eliminate the plume.

[0084] refer to Figure 10 This illustrates another method 501 for controlling a plume reduction system for a heat dissipation structure. A plume reduction system can typically correspond to... Figure 9A and Figure 9B The plume reduction systems are 500A and 500B. The heat dissipation structure can be a steam chimney, for example... Figure 9A and Figure 9B Steam chimney 502.

[0085] Similar to Figure 5 Method 201, method 501 includes determining 503 whether the steam chimney is operating. When the steam chimney is operating, saturated or supersaturated air may be discharged from the steam chimney, thereby creating a plume under certain environmental conditions. When the steam chimney is operating, method 501 includes determining 505 whether the steam chimney is operating in a plume reduction mode, and whether a plume has been detected or predicted (e.g., determined or notified by controller 520). If the steam chimney is operating in a plume reduction mode and a plume has been detected or predicted, the method includes providing 507 ambient air inside the steam chimney to reduce the plume. For example, a plume reduction fan 504A and / or an ambient air damper 504B may be operated to provide ambient air to a collection chamber inside the steam chimney.

[0086] The method may further include determining whether the plume suppression device 509 is supplying the maximum volume of ambient air to the interior of the steam chimney. For example, if the plume suppression fan 504A is operating at maximum speed, then the plume suppression fan 504A supplies the maximum volume of ambient air. Similarly, if the ambient air damper 504B is fully open, then the ambient air damper 504B supplies the maximum volume of ambient air. If the plume suppression device is not supplying the maximum volume of ambient air, then method 501 may restart until the plume suppression device supplies the maximum volume of ambient air during operation 507. If the plume suppression device is supplying the maximum volume of ambient air inside the steam chimney and a plume still exists, then method 501 includes increasing the volume of ambient air 516 supplied to the exterior of the steam chimney 511. For example, Figure 9A and Figure 9B The speed of one or more external fans 512 can be increased to mix ambient air 506 immediately after the exhaust has been discharged into the discharge area 514 of the steam chimney 502, thereby further reducing the plume. If there is no provision for adding ambient air to the interior of the steam chimney via dampers and / or fans (e.g., when the internal pressure of steam inside the steam chimney is too high), method 501 can control... Figure 9A and Figure 9B The on / off status and / or speed of fan 512.

[0087] refer to Figure 11 A cooling tower 602 is provided, comprising a plume reduction system 600, the cooling tower 602 including ... Figure 1 The cooling tower 12 shown has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The plume reduction system 600 may include a controller 610 having a memory 612, a processor 614, communication circuitry 616, and a plume detector 646, which may be similar to... Figure 3 Those components.

[0088] The plume reduction system 600 may include a single fan 630A, which may be referred to as the main fan, extending over the exhaust collection chamber 40. The fan 630A is operable to draw in ambient air 32 through an inlet 631, direct the ambient air 32 through a counterflow filler 22', and exhaust exhaust 642 from the exhaust collection chamber 40. In another approach, multiple fans (e.g., ...) are provided. Figure 1 The fan 30 in the middle draws in ambient air 32 through the counterflow filler 22' and drives the exhaust 642 to be discharged from the exhaust collection chamber 40.

[0089] and Figure 3 Similar to cooling tower 102, Figure 11The cooling tower 602 may include one or more auxiliary fans, such as an external fan 630B, for mixing additional ambient air 652 with exhaust gas 642 exiting the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The mixing of the additional ambient air 652 with the exhaust gas 642 can reduce the temperature and moisture content in the exhaust gas 642, thereby reducing or eliminating the plume above the cooling tower 602. The external fan 630B may be movably connected to the cooling tower 602 (e.g., via hinge 654) to allow access (e.g., for maintenance) to components of the cooling tower 602.

[0090] Cooling tower 602 may also include one or more dampers 660, which can be adjusted to allow additional ambient air 662 from outside cooling tower 602 to be drawn into exhaust gas chamber 40 by fan 630A, thereby mixing with heated air in exhaust gas chamber 40 from downstream of counterflow filler 22' and upstream of exhaust port 633. A damper motor 664 may be provided to adjust the position of damper 660 via damper linkage 666 connected to damper 660. The position of damper 660 (e.g., fully open, partially open, or fully closed) may be operated by controller 610 of cooling tower 602 to reduce plume. For example, when cooling tower 602 meets cooling requirements and fan 630A is operating at less than 100% fan speed, damper motor 664 may open damper 660 to reduce plume.

[0091] One or more auxiliary plume-reducing fans 670 may also be provided to add additional ambient air 662 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 when additional plume reduction is required. The plume-reducing fans 670 may be mounted on an outer or inner wall of the cooling tower 602 and may be configured to rotate about an axis transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the axis of rotation of the fan 630A. The plume-reducing fans 670 may be positioned near the damper 660 and below the fan 630A, such that the additional ambient air 662 is drawn into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 through the damper 660 before the mixture of the ambient air 32 heated by the fan 630A and the additional ambient air 662 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. In plume-reducing mode, the damper 660 may be fully opened to reduce the plume, and the plume-reducing fans 670 may be opened to add additional ambient air 662 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The speed of the plume reduction fan 670 can also be controlled to control the ambient airflow through the damper 660.

[0092] refer to Figure 12 A cooling tower 702 is provided, comprising a plume reduction system 700, the cooling tower 702 including a plume reduction system 700, the cooling tower 702 ... Figure 1The cooling tower 12 shown has similar components, with similar reference numerals referring to similar components. The plume reduction system 700 may include a controller 710 having a memory 712, a processor 714, communication circuitry 716, and a plume detector 746, which may be similar to... Figure 3 Those components.

[0093] The plume reduction system 700 may include a single fan 730A, which may be referred to as the main fan, extending over the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The fan 730A may be operated to draw in ambient air 32 through the air inlet 731.

[0094] exist Figure 12 In the cooling tower 702, the evaporative heat exchanger includes a serpentine coil 22” through which the working fluid passes and an evaporative liquid distribution system 749 for distributing the evaporative liquid to the outside of the serpentine coil 22”’. The evaporative liquid absorbs heat from the working fluid through the sidewall of the serpentine coil 22”’. Some of the evaporative liquid evaporates into water vapor, and the remaining evaporative liquid is collected in a storage tank and recycled back to the evaporative liquid distribution system 749.

[0095] and Figure 3 Similar to cooling tower 102, Figure 12 The cooling tower 702 may include one or more auxiliary fans, such as an external fan 730B, for mixing additional ambient air 752 with exhaust gas 742 exiting the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The mixing of the additional ambient air 752 with the exhaust gas 742 can reduce the temperature and moisture content in the exhaust gas 742, thereby reducing or eliminating the plume above the cooling tower 702. The external fan 730B may be movably connected to the cooling tower 702 (e.g., via a hinge 754) to allow access (e.g., for maintenance) to components of the cooling tower 702.

[0096] Cooling tower 702 may also include one or more dampers 760, which may be adjusted to allow additional ambient air 762 from outside cooling tower 702 to be drawn into exhaust manifold 40 via fan 730A, thereby mixing with heated air from downstream of serpentine coil 22”’ and upstream of exhaust port 733 in exhaust manifold 40. Damper motor 764 may be provided to adjust the position of damper 760 via damper linkage 766 connected to damper 760. The position of damper 760 (e.g., fully open, partially open, or closed) may be operated by controller 710 of cooling tower 702 to reduce plume. For example, when cooling tower 702 meets cooling demand and fan 730A is operating at less than 100% fan speed, damper motor 764 may open damper 760 to reduce plume.

[0097] One or more auxiliary plume-reducing fans 770 may also be provided to add additional ambient air 762 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 when additional plume reduction is required. The plume-reducing fans 770 may be disposed on an outer or inner wall of the cooling tower 12 and may be configured to rotate about an axis transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the axis of rotation of the fan 730A. The plume-reducing fans 770 may be positioned adjacent to the damper 760 and below the fan 730A, such that the plume-reducing fans 770 draw additional ambient air 762 into the exhaust gas collection chamber 40 through the damper 760 before the mixture of ambient air 32 heated by the fan 730A and additional ambient air 762 from the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. In plume-reducing mode, the damper 760 may be fully opened to reduce the plume, and the plume-reducing fans 770 may be opened to add additional ambient air 762 to the exhaust gas collection chamber 40. The speed of the feather reduction fan 770 can also be controlled to control the ambient airflow through the damper 760.

[0098] Although method steps may be presented and described sequentially herein, one or more steps shown and described may be omitted, repeated, performed simultaneously, and / or performed in an order different from that shown in the figures and / or described herein. It should be understood that computer-readable instructions for facilitating the above methods can be stored in various non-transitory computer-readable media known in the art. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, variations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and such modifications, variations, and combinations should be considered within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0099] Unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by the context, the use of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” etc., is intended to encompass both singular and plural. The terms “including,” “having,” “containing,” and “comprising” should be interpreted as open-ended terms. The phrase “at least one” as used herein should be interpreted in a separate sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to include A, B, or A and B.

[0100] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and the invention is intended to cover all such variations and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat dissipation device, comprising: Air intake; Exhaust port; Evaporative heat exchanger; A main fan operable to direct first ambient air into the air inlet, causing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air, and to discharge the heated air from the exhaust port; A feather-reducing fan is operable to guide a second ambient air into contact with heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger; A controller operably coupled to the main fan and the plume reduction fan, the controller having a plume reduction mode, wherein the controller operates the plume reduction fan to direct the second ambient air into contact with the heated air to cool the heated air and reduce the plume; The controller has a cooling mode in which it operates the plume-reducing fan in a first direction to help guide the first ambient air into the air inlet, allowing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger, and exhausting the heated air from the exhaust port; and The plume reduction mode of the controller includes the controller operating the plume reduction fan in the opposite second direction to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger.

2. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, wherein, The plume-reducing fan is operable to guide the second ambient air into contact with heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger and upstream of the exhaust port.

3. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas collection chamber located between the evaporative heat exchanger and the exhaust port; and in, The plume reduction fan is operable to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in the air collection chamber.

4. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1 further includes an external fan operable to guide a third ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the exhaust port.

5. The heat dissipation device according to claim 4, further comprising an external structure, wherein the evaporative heat exchanger is located within the external structure, the air inlet allows ambient air to enter the interior of the external structure, and the exhaust port allows heated air to exit the interior of the external structure; and in, The external fan is located outside the external structure and is operable to guide the third ambient air into contact with the heated air once the heated air has been discharged from the exhaust port.

6. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1 further includes a gas collection chamber located between the evaporative heat exchanger and the exhaust port; in, The main fan is operable to discharge heated air in the air collection chamber from the exhaust port along the first direction; and The plume reduction fan is operable to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in the air collection chamber in a second direction inclined to the first direction.

7. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustable damper downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger and upstream of the exhaust port; and in, An auxiliary fan is operable to guide third ambient air through the adjustable damper and into contact with the heated air.

8. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1 further includes an external structure, wherein the evaporative heat exchanger is located in the external structure; in, The external structure includes a floor with at least one adjustable damper; and The plume-reducing fan is operable to draw the second ambient air upward through at least one adjustable damper and into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger.

9. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, wherein, The evaporative heat exchanger includes a heat transfer element, a fluid distribution system, and a storage tank. The fluid distribution system is configured to distribute a fluid containing water onto the heat transfer element, and the storage tank is used to collect the fluid.

10. A heat dissipation device, comprising: Air intake; Exhaust port; Evaporative heat exchanger; A main fan operable to direct first ambient air into the air inlet, causing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air, and to discharge the heated air from the exhaust port; A feather-reducing fan is operable to guide a second ambient air into contact with heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger; A controller operably coupled to the main fan and the plume reduction fan, the controller having a plume reduction mode, wherein the controller operates the plume reduction fan to direct the second ambient air into contact with the heated air to cool the heated air and reduce the plume; The main fan includes multiple main fans, and the plume reduction fan includes multiple plume reduction fans; The controller has a cooling mode in which it operates the main fan and the plume-reducing fan in a first direction, such that the main fan and the plume-reducing fan cooperate to guide the first ambient air into the air inlet, allowing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger, and then exhausting the heated air from the exhaust port; and The plume reduction mode of the controller includes the controller itself: Operate the main fan in the first direction; and The plume-reducing fan is operated in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the plume-reducing fan, so that the plume-reducing fan guides the second ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger.

11. The heat dissipation device according to claim 10, wherein, The main fan is operable to discharge the heated air from the exhaust port in a first direction; and The feather reduction fan is operable to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

12. A method of operating a heat dissipation device, the method comprising: The main fan is operated to guide the first ambient air into the air inlet of the heat exhaust device, so that the first ambient air interacts with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air, and the heated air is discharged from the exhaust port of the heat exhaust device. The conditions for plume formation are determined at least in part based on ambient air variables; In response to determining the plume formation conditions, a plume reduction fan is operated to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in order to cool the heated air and reduce the plume. The feather depressant fan is operated in a first direction to help guide the first ambient air into the air inlet, so that the first ambient air interacts with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air, and the heated air is discharged from the exhaust port. and Specifically, operating the plume-reducing fan to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air includes operating the plume-reducing fan in the opposite second direction to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Operating the plume-reducing fan to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air includes guiding the second ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger and upstream of the exhaust port of the heat dissipation device.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Operating the plume-reducing fan to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air includes guiding the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in the air collection chamber of the heat exhaust device upstream of the exhaust port of the heat exhaust device.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising operating an external fan to direct the second ambient air into contact with the heated air downstream of the exhaust port after the heated air has been discharged from the heat dissipation device.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The heat dissipation device includes an external structure, which includes the air inlet and the exhaust outlet, and the evaporative heat exchanger is located in the external structure; Operating the main fan includes guiding the first ambient air through the air inlet and into the interior of the external structure, causing the first ambient air to interact with the evaporative heat exchanger to generate heated air inside the external structure, and discharging the heated air from the exhaust port; and Operating the external fan involves guiding the second ambient air into contact with the heated air after the heated air has been discharged from the exhaust port of the external structure.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Operating the main fan includes discharging heated air from the exhaust port in a first direction; and Operating the plume-reducing fan to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air includes guiding the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The heat dissipation device includes a gas collection chamber located between the evaporative heat exchanger and the exhaust port; Operating the main fan includes discharging heated air from the exhaust port in a first direction; and Operating the plume reduction fan to guide the second ambient air into contact with the heated air includes guiding the second ambient air into contact with the heated air in the air collection chamber in a second direction inclined to the first direction.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The heat dissipation device includes adjustable dampers downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger and upstream of the exhaust port; and Operating the plume reduction fan includes guiding the second ambient air through the adjustable damper and into contact with the heated air.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The heat dissipation device includes a floor with at least one adjustable damper; and Operating the plume reduction fan includes drawing the second ambient air upward through the adjustable damper and bringing it into contact with the heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising distributing a fluid containing water to the heat transfer elements of the evaporative heat exchanger; and The fluid is collected in a storage tank.

22. A plume reduction system for a heat removal device, the heat removal device having an evaporative heat exchanger and a main fan, the main fan operable to generate an airflow relative to the evaporative heat exchanger and generate heated air, the heat removal device configured to receive a working fluid at a first temperature, remove heat from the working fluid via the evaporative heat exchanger, and output the working fluid at a lower second temperature, the plume reduction system comprising: A plume reduction assembly operable to mix ambient air with heated air downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger to cool the heated air and reduce plume formation, the plume reduction assembly including a plume reduction fan; A controller, operably coupled to the plume reduction assembly, has a plume reduction mode in which the controller operates the plume reduction assembly by adjusting the operation of the plume reduction fan in response to conditions such as mixing the ambient air with the heated air to cool the heated air and reduce the plume: The second temperature of the working fluid is within a temperature range; and The conditions for plume formation are determined at least in part based on ambient air variables; Wherein, the controller operates the plume reduction component by causing the plume reduction fan to rotate in a first direction; and The controller is configured to rotate the plume-reducing fan in the opposite second direction in response to the following: The second temperature of the working fluid is higher than the temperature range; and The speed of the main fan is greater than or equal to the maximum speed of the main fan.

23. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The controller operates the plume reduction component by increasing the speed of the plume reduction fan.

24. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The plume reduction assembly includes an adjustable damper; and The controller operates the plume reduction component by opening the adjustable damper.

25. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The controller operates the plume reduction assembly by increasing the speed of the plume reduction fan in response to the following conditions, thereby increasing the airflow rate of the ambient air used to mix with the heated air: The second temperature of the working fluid is within the temperature range; Determining the conditions for plume formation; and The speed of the main fan is greater than or equal to the maximum speed of the main fan.

26. The plume reduction system according to claim 25, wherein, The plume reduction fan includes a first plume reduction fan and a second plume reduction fan. The first plume reduction fan is operable to guide ambient air to the heat exhaust device downstream of the evaporative heat exchanger, and the second plume reduction fan is operable to introduce ambient air into the heated air after the heated air is discharged from the heat exhaust device. and Increasing the speed of the plume-reducing fan to increase the airflow velocity of the ambient air includes increasing the speed of the first plume-reducing fan and the second plume-reducing fan.

27. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The plume reduction assembly includes an adjustable damper; and The controller operates the plume reduction component by opening the damper in response to the following conditions: The second temperature of the working fluid is within the temperature range; Determining the conditions for plume formation; The speed of the main fan is less than the maximum speed of the main fan; and The damper is not fully open.

28. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The plume reduction component includes an adjustable damper; The controller is configured to close the adjustable damper in response to the following conditions: The second temperature of the working fluid is greater than the temperature range; and The speed of the main fan is greater than or equal to the maximum speed of the main fan.

29. The plume reduction system according to claim 22, wherein, The plume reduction component includes an adjustable damper; The controller is configured to close the adjustable damper and increase the fan speed of the plume deceleration fan in response to the following conditions: The second temperature of the working fluid is greater than the temperature range; The speed of the main fan is greater than or equal to the maximum speed of the main fan; and Determining the conditions for plume formation.

30. The plume reduction system of claim 22, further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the controller and configured to detect at least one ambient air variable; and in, The controller is configured to determine the plume formation conditions based on the at least one ambient air variable.

Images