Direct Heat Exchange Filter

Abstract

A fill sheet and a fill pack made from a plurality of fill sheets for cooling a cooling medium in a cooling tower, each fill sheet optionally having a microstructure, the fill sheets having a pair of elliptical protrusions and depressions that act as spacers when the fill sheets are stacked on top of each other to form the fill pack, and / or defining continuous waves parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fill sheets.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to direct heat exchange fills and fill packs. [Background technology]

[0002] Heat exchangers are well known in industry and are designed to efficiently transfer heat from one medium to another. There are many types and sizes of heat exchangers. A particular type of heat exchanger is typically selected depending on the application, such as refrigeration, air conditioning, chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, etc.

[0003] Cooling towers are used to transfer waste heat to the atmosphere. This cooling causes the evaporation of water to remove the waste heat, cooling the water to near the wet bulb air temperature. Figure 1 shows one type of cooling tower used to remove waste heat from warm water received from a heat source. Warm water from the heat source is delivered to a water distribution system (pressurized or gravity) at the top of the tower. The water is distributed onto a water distribution medium or "fill", usually by large orifice nozzles. At the same time, air is drawn through the inlet louvers on the side of the tower and moves horizontally through the fill in a cross-flow arrangement with the falling water. The warm, moist air is pumped up to the top of the cooling tower by fans and discharged to the atmosphere. The cooled water is discharged into a water tank at the bottom of the tower and returned to the heat source.

[0004] A water dispersion medium or "fill" typically comprises multiple sheets that are installed individually as a suspended fill or that are bonded together to produce a suspended or bottom-supported fill pack. In the case of a suspended fill, holes are drilled near the top of the fill sheet to receive or attach to a rail, and the fill sheets are spaced apart along the length of the rail. This places the individual fill sheets under tension below the holes, but under compression at the rail-sheet interface. In the case of a bottom-supported fill, multiple sheets are fastened together to a rigid block of fill (the "fill pack") and placed on a support structure within the tower. In a cross-flow cooling tower of the type shown in FIG. 1, each fill sheet is a generally flat sheet of thermoplastic material with various types of surface features to promote mixing of the water and air. These heat exchange sheets are manufactured by thermoforming sheets of thermoplastic material under vacuum. Adjacent fill sheets are separated from each other by integrally formed humps or "spacers" to form water and air passageways.

[0005] The performance of a cooling tower is characterized by the amount of water or other cooling fluid that can be cooled to a given operating temperature under specific ambient conditions. To achieve this cooling, water is sprayed onto the fill of the cooling tower and exposed to an airflow, which causes evaporation of a small portion of the water into the air and cooling the remaining water. By increasing the amount of evaporation that occurs within the cooling tower, the overall performance of the cooling tower can also be increased or improved. Because most of this evaporation occurs within the fill, changes to the design of the fill can have a significant impact on the amount of cooling that the cooling tower can achieve during operation. Specifically, changes to the fill of a cooling tower can result in better performance by reducing the pressure loss across the fill for a given air flow rate or by improving the thermal performance of the fill. By reducing the pressure loss across the fill, the resistance to airflow through the tower is reduced, allowing more air to pass over the water film for the same fan power, thereby increasing the amount of evaporation. To improve the thermal performance of the fill, the amount of evaporation of water into the air can be increased by increasing the mixing of the air and water and improving the conditions at the air-water interface. However, creating air mixing typically requires fill modifications that also increase the pressure drop across the fill, necessitating either a fill design that can reduce the pressure drop over existing designs while minimizing the impact on mixing, or improved mixing methods that require an equivalent or lower pressure drop.

[0006] For film fills used in cross-flow towers, all fills include a dedicated heat transfer area, but some also include an integral drift eliminator near the fill's exhaust and / or an integral louvered section near the fill's inlet. The heat transfer area of ​​the fill is responsible for the fill's thermal performance by providing a large surface area for water to spread over the fill's surface and increase contact with the air, mixing the air as it flows through the fill, and mixing the water film as it flows over the sheet, while maintaining a low pressure drop across the fill.

[0007] While most of the bulk water adheres to the surface of the film fill, some of the water forms small droplets known as drift and escapes the fill through the exhaust. Drift represents a loss of water or other cooling fluid from the system, which is undesirable since the loss of water or other cooling fluid requires replenishment costs for both the drift and the processing chemicals contained within the cooling fluid. Drift can also be detrimental to the surrounding equipment and environment since it may contain chemicals, salts, bacteria, etc. present in the circulating water or fluid. For cross-flow tower film fills, drift elimination features may be included on the exhaust side of the sheet to capture drift droplets and reduce their escape from the cooling tower. This is called a drift eliminator and may consist of an integrated drift eliminator ("ID"). For cross-flow film fills, there are two types of drift eliminators: tube drift eliminators and blade drift eliminators. Generally, tube drift eliminators are angled tubes formed in the ID section of the fill by matching the drift corrugations of adjacent sheets. As water droplets are entrained in the airflow and enter the tube, their momentum causes the airflow to change direction along the ID angled tube and strike the tube wall. Integral tube drift eliminators typically have vertical grooves at the inlet to allow water that accumulates on the surface of the integral drift eliminator to drain off the fill into a tray below and to provide vertical structural support for bottom supported fills. Integral blade drift eliminator designs achieve drift elimination by creating a large vertical ridge near the fill outlet that redirects the airflow. At the inlet of the integral drift eliminator, the momentum of the water droplets strikes the raised wall and removes the drift from the airflow. Other structural features such as ribs or spacers are included before or after the ridges of the eliminator to keep the sheets separated during operation and to reinforce the fill and / or sheets and assembled fill packs.

[0008] At the fill intake, integral louvers are sometimes included in the fill design to reduce water from splashing off the front of the fill. These integral louvers are usually constructed with corrugations that angle downward as they protrude into the fill, providing a sloping surface for water to run off, thereby reducing water or other cooling fluid from reaching the front of the fill. The corrugations of each sheet may combine to form a tube, or may remain parallel to the corrugations of adjacent sheets with sheet spacer features added to the design. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Two inventive improvements to cross-flow fills are presented herein that can be used separately or in combination with each other to improve heat exchange in cross-flow cooling towers. The first invention presented herein is an improvement to the previously described fill structure (incorporating the basic structure, manufacture, and assembly) that uses spacers to separate stacked fill sheets from each other, but the integrally formed spacers are elliptical. According to a preferred embodiment, the elliptical spacers are arranged in pairs that are spaced across the fill sheet in multiple spacer rows. Each pair of elliptical spacers includes one spacer formed in one direction perpendicular to the plane of the fill sheet and the other spacer formed in the opposite direction perpendicular to the plane of the fill sheet, so that from any viewpoint, one spacer is a "female spacer" pressed into the fill sheet and the other spacer is a "male spacer" protruding from the fill sheet.

[0010] When the sheets are stacked together, they are positioned so that the male spacers on the opposing faces of adjacent sheets are aligned and in contact with one another, leaving a space between the fill sheets corresponding to the height of two male spacers.

[0011] According to various embodiments of the elliptical spacer invention, a) the long axes of the elliptical spacers are all arranged horizontally and the air passes generally straight through the fill sheet; b) the long axes of the elliptical spacers on one side of the fill sheet are arranged in alternating upward and downward slanting directions, such that the air on one side of the fill sheet is forced upward, then downward, then upward, then downward, etc., and the air on the opposite side of the same fill sheet is forced downward, then upward, then downward, then upward, etc.; c) the long axes of the elliptical spacers on one side of the fill sheet are all slanted upward or downward; d) the air is forced continuously upward as it passes across the fill sheet; or e) the air is forced continuously downward as it passes across the fill sheet.

[0012] The second invention presented herein is an improvement to the previously described fill structure (although incorporating its basic structure, manufacture, and assembly) in which the fill sheet features underlying waves parallel to the direction of airflow. The corrugated fill sheet of the present invention improves the structural performance of mechanically bonded packs when supported from the bottom. Compared to cross-flow fill sheets featuring microfeatures pressed into a flat sheet, the corrugated fill sheet of the present invention increases the bending stiffness and buckling load of the fill sheet. The corrugated sheet maintains constant spacing between adjacent sheets via prior art spacers or elliptical spacers according to the first invention herein, but the corrugated shape induces turbulence, enhancing air-water contact and thermal efficiency. The period and amplitude of the corrugations can be optimized to balance increased pressure drop versus increased thermal efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment, the period of the corrugations is 4-5", more preferably 4.7", and the amplitude is 0.1"-0.3", more preferably 0.2".

[0013] Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fill sheet for assembly into a fill pack for cooling a cooling medium in a cooling tower, the fill sheet having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end extending substantially parallel to the first end and generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of water movement, the first end and the second end extending substantially parallel to a transverse axis of the fill sheet, the first side and the second side extending substantially parallel to the first side and generally parallel to the vertical axis, the first side and the second side extending substantially parallel to the first side and generally parallel to the vertical axis, A fill sheet is provided, the fill sheet having a first end and a second end, the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side defining a first surface and a second surface that are mirror images of one another, the first surface of the fill sheet comprising a plurality of first surface elliptical protrusions and first surface elliptical depressions arranged in a plurality of rows across the fill sheet, each of the first surface elliptical protrusions corresponding to a second surface elliptical depression on the second surface, and each of the first surface elliptical depressions corresponding to a second surface elliptical protrusion on the second surface.

[0014] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet in which the first surface elliptical projections and depressions are arranged in pairs, each of the pairs having a single first surface elliptical projection and a single first surface elliptical depression.

[0015] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet in which each of the first surface elliptical projections and depressions has a major axis parallel to the direction of air movement across the fill sheet.

[0016] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet in which all of the first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions have major axes aligned at the same angle of +15 degrees or less from horizontal.

[0017] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet in which all of the first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions have major axes aligned at the same angle of −15 degrees or less from the horizontal.

[0018] According to the present invention there is further provided a fill pack assembly for cooling a fluid flowing within the pack with gas flowing substantially horizontally within the pack, comprising a plurality of identical fill sheets according to any of the configurations described above, the fill sheets being arranged such that the elliptical protrusions on adjacent faces of adjacent sheets are in contact with each other.

[0019] In accordance with the present invention there is further provided a fill sheet for assembly into a fill pack for cooling a cooling medium in a cooling tower, the fill sheet comprising a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, the second end extending substantially parallel to the first end and generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of water movement, the first end and the second end extending substantially parallel to a transverse axis of the fill sheet, the first side and the second side extending substantially parallel to the first side and generally parallel to the vertical axis, the first side and the second side connecting the first end and the second end, the first end, the second end, the first side and the second side defining first and second faces, the first and second faces being mirror images of each other, and the fill sheet further defining continuous waves extending in a direction parallel to the air flow direction.

[0020] According to the present invention, there is further provided a fill sheet, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 3 inches to 6 inches and an amplitude of 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

[0021] According to the present invention, there is further provided a fill sheet, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 4 inches to 5.5 inches and an amplitude of 0.1 inches to 0.35 inches.

[0022] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 4.7 inches and an amplitude of 0.2 inches.

[0023] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill sheet having elliptical spacers formed on a surface thereof.

[0024] According to the present invention there is further provided a fill pack assembly for cooling a fluid flowing within the pack with gas flowing substantially horizontally within the pack, the fill pack assembly comprising a plurality of identical fill sheets having the continuous waves as described above.

[0025] There is further provided in accordance with the present invention a fill pack assembly comprising a plurality of fill sheets characterized by waves arranged such that elliptical protrusions on adjacent faces of adjacent sheets contact one another.

[0026] In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided a fill sheet as described herein having an integrally formed drift eliminator and / or an integrally formed air inlet louver. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a crossflow cooling tower. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a single fill sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single fill sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a further enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper left corner of a stack of fill sheets according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper right corner of the stack of fill sheets shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stack of fill sheets according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a further enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention in which the spacers are all oriented horizontally and parallel to the air flow. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a front view of a single fill sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 17 is a perspective view of the upper left corner of a single fill sheet according to the present invention of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a stack of fill sheets according to the present invention of FIG. 16. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] For example, referring to Figures 2-10, the present invention is directed to a cross-flow aqueous dispersion media in the form of a fill pack 200 comprised of individually suspended fill sheets 202 or a plurality of identical stacked and interlocked fill sheets 202. Each sheet 202 defines a vertical axis 204 extending generally vertically and a horizontal axis 206 extending generally horizontally relative to the fill sheets 202. It will be understood that the use of the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" with respect to the axes 204, 206 is arbitrary for purposes of describing the structure of the present invention and is not intended to limit the orientation of the present invention in use. Thus, without limiting the present invention or its use, the fill pack 200 of the present invention is typically oriented in a standard cross-flow cooling tower such that the vertical axis 204 is parallel to the direction of water movement in a standard cross-flow cooling tower and the horizontal axis is parallel to the direction of air movement.

[0029] Continuing with the description of the invention in terms of a standard cross-flow cooling tower, water flows through the fill pack 200 generally along a vertical axis 204 between a first end 208a and a second end 208b of the sheet 202. The first end 208a and the second end 208b of the fill sheet 202 are joined by a first side 208c and a second side 208d. Air passes through the fill pack 200 generally along a horizontal axis 206 between the first side 208c and the second side 208d. The first end 208a extends substantially parallel to the second end 208b and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204. The first end 208a and the second end 208b extend substantially parallel to the transverse axis 206. Each fill sheet is preferably made from a thermoplastic material such as PVC, CPVC, HPVC, or polypropylene and preferably has a thickness of 0.010 to 0.025 inches (10 mils to 25 mils), more preferably 0.012 to 0.020 inches (12 mils to 20 mils).

[0030] The surface of the fill sheet may be smooth and / or featureless, or may have surface features 210 such as micro-ridges and valleys that extend in a zigzag (e.g., herringbone) pattern across the surface of the sheet. As a non-limiting example, the embodiment shown in the figures has a microstructure in the form of alternating diagonal small corrugations across the face of the sheet. The fill sheet of the present invention includes an inlet louver 216 integrally formed on the inlet side and / or a drift eliminator 218 integrally formed on the outlet side.

[0031] Each fill sheet 202 has a plurality of spacers 212 integrally formed thereon in the form of elliptical projections extending from a major surface of the sheet (the plane defined by a first end 208a, a second end 208b, a first side 208c, and a second side 208d). The elliptical spacers are preferably arranged in pairs, with the pairs spaced apart in rows across the fill sheet. Each pair of elliptical spacers includes one spacer formed in one direction perpendicular to the plane of the fill sheet and the other spacer formed in the opposite direction perpendicular to the plane of the fill sheet, so that from any point of view, one spacer is a "female spacer" (212a) pressed into the fill sheet and the other spacer is a "male spacer" (212b) protruding from the fill sheet. Each male spacer viewed from one side of the fill sheet appears as a female spacer when viewed from the opposite side of the same sheet. Conversely, each female spacer viewed from one side of the fill sheet appears as a male spacer when viewed from the opposite side of the same sheet.

[0032] The preferred aspect ratio (ratio of the length of the major axis to the length of the minor axis) of the elliptical shape of spacer 212 is 2:1, however, it is understood that any aspect ratio between 4:1 and 1.5:1 will provide similar advantages and therefore is considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] When the "A" and "B" fill sheets 202 are stacked on top of each other, the male spacers 212b on the opposing faces of adjacent "A" and "B" sheets align and contact each other, forming a space between the fill sheets corresponding to the height of the two male spacers.

[0034] According to various embodiments of the elliptical spacer invention, a) the long axes of the elliptical spacers may all be arranged horizontally. In this case, air passes through the fill sheet in a generally straight line. See, for example, FIG. 11, where two sets of spacers from the first three rows of a single fill sheet are shown (similar to the view in FIG. 4). In FIG. 11 as well as in FIGS. 12-15, the blue ellipses represent male spacers on one side of the fill sheet (extending out of the plane of the sheet toward the reader) and the red ellipses represent female spacers (i.e., male spacers on the back side of the same fill sheet, extending into the plane of the fill sheet and away from the reader). According to another embodiment, b) the long axes of the elliptical spacers on one side of the fill sheet may be arranged in alternating upward and downward slanting directions. See, for example, FIG. 12. According to this embodiment, the air on one side of the fill sheet is forced upwards, then downwards, then upwards, then downwards, etc., while the air on the opposite side of the same fill sheet is forced downwards, then upwards, then downwards, then upwards, etc. According to a further embodiment, c) the long axes of the elliptical male spacers on one side of the fill sheet may all be tilted upwards, and the long axes of the elliptical male spacers on the opposite side of the fill sheet may all be tilted downwards. See, for example, FIG. 13. The blue ellipse represents the elliptical spacers on one side of the fill sheet, and the red ellipse represents the elliptical spacers on the reverse side of the same fill sheet. According to yet another embodiment, d) the long axes of all of the elliptical male spacers on both sides of the fill sheet may be tilted upwards. In this case, the air is continuously forced upwards as it traverses the fill sheet. See, for example, FIG. 14. According to yet another embodiment, e) the long axes of all of the elliptical male spacers on both sides of the fill sheet may be tilted downwards. In this case, the air is continually forced downward as it traverses the fill sheet. See, for example, FIG.

[0035] In accordance with the present invention as described above, the aerodynamic shape of the elliptical spacer 212 reduces the drag coefficient and associated pressure drop compared to a typical circular spacer. The reduced pressure drop results in higher thermal capabilities.

[0036] According to embodiments in which the elliptical spacers 212 are all aligned parallel to the horizontal axis of the fill sheet, the fill pack may be aligned such that the major axes of the elliptical spacers are substantially parallel to the airflow when installed in a cooling tower. According to other embodiments in which the elliptical spacers are positioned at an angle to the horizontal to improve mixing of the airflow through the fill pack, the major axes of the spacers are preferably positioned at no more than 15 degrees to the horizontal to minimize the drag coefficient.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, opposing male spacers 212b on adjacent sheets may be adhered to one another according to a variety of known methods, such as solvent adhesives, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

[0038] The first invention has been described above, and the second invention presented herein is described below. The second invention presented herein is a fill sheet 202 and fill pack 200, each of which defines a continuous wave 214 having a wavelength parallel to the direction of airflow. See, for example, Figures 16-20. The fill sheet 202 may include elliptical spacers 212, as described with respect to the first invention herein. The fill sheet 202 may include circular spacers, or spacers of other shapes. In either case, the spacers are formed in pairs pressed in first and second directions perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, as described above, and the pairs may be arranged downward across the sheet in a series of rows.

[0039] The corrugated fill sheets of the present invention increase the structural performance of mechanically bonded packs when supported from the bottom. Compared to cross-flow fill sheets made from flat sheets, the corrugated fill sheets of the present invention improve the bending stiffness and buckling load of the fill sheets. The corrugated sheets maintain constant spacing between adjacent sheets via spacers (which may be prior art spacers or elliptical spacers according to the first invention of the present specification), but the corrugation induces turbulence, increasing air-water contact and thermal efficiency. The period and amplitude of the corrugations may be optimized to balance increased pressure drop versus increased thermal efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment, the period of the corrugations is 3 inches to 6 inches, preferably 4 inches to 5.5 inches, more preferably 4.7 inches, and the amplitude is 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches, preferably 0.1 inches to 0.35 inches, more preferably 0.2 inches.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes may be made to the preferred embodiment described above without departing from the inventive concept thereof. It is therefore understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in this disclosure and defined according to the broadest reasonable reading of the following claims when read in light of this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] Features in the accompanying drawings are marked with the following reference numerals:

[0042] 200 fill pack 202 Fill Sheet 204 Vertical axis 206 horizontal axis 208a First end 208b Second end 208c First side 208d Second side 210 Surface Features 212 Spacer 212a Female spacer 212b Male spacer 214 Wave shape 216 Air intake louver 218 Drift Eliminator

Claims

1. A fill sheet for cooling a cooling medium in a cooling tower, comprising: a first end portion, a second end portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion; the second end portion extends substantially parallel to the first end portion and substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis with respect to water movement; the first end portion and the second end portion extend substantially parallel to a horizontal axis of the fill sheet; the first side portion and the second side portion extend substantially parallel to the first side portion and substantially parallel to the vertical axis; the first side portion and the second side portion connect the first end portion and the second end portion; the first end portion, the second end portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion define a first surface and a second surface; the first surface and the second surface are mirror images of each other; the first surface of the fill sheet has a plurality of first surface elliptical protrusions and first surface elliptical depressions arranged in a plurality of rows across the fill sheet; each of the first surface elliptical protrusions corresponds to a second surface elliptical depression on the second surface; each of the first surface elliptical depressions corresponds to a second surface elliptical protrusion on the second surface; a fill sheet.

2. The first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions are arranged in pairs, each of the pairs having a single first surface elliptical protrusion and a single first surface elliptical depression; the fill sheet according to claim 1.

3. Each of the first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions has a major axis parallel to the direction of air travel across the fill sheet, the fill sheet according to claim 1.

4. All of the first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions have major axes aligned at the same angle of +15 degrees or less from the horizontal direction, the fill sheet according to claim 1.

5. All of the first surface elliptical protrusions and depressions have major axes aligned at the same angle of -15 degrees or less from the horizontal direction, the fill sheet according to claim 1.

6. Each of the first surface elliptical protrusions is oriented in the vertically opposite direction with respect to the horizontal direction compared to its paired first surface elliptical depression and each of the first surface elliptical protrusions adjacent in the horizontal and vertical directions, the fill sheet according to claim 2.

7. All of the first surface elliptical protrusions have major axes aligned at the same angle of +15 degrees or less from the horizontal direction, and all of the first surface elliptical depressions have major axes aligned at the same angle of minus 15 degrees or less from the horizontal direction, the fill sheet according to claim 1.

8. A filter pack assembly for cooling a fluid flowing through the pack with a gas flowing substantially horizontally through the pack, comprising a plurality of identical filter sheets according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of filter sheets are arranged such that the elliptical protrusions on adjacent surfaces of adjacent sheets are in contact with each other.

9. A filter sheet for cooling a cooling medium in a cooling tower, comprising a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, wherein the second end extends substantially parallel to the first end and substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis with respect to the movement of water, wherein the first end and the second end extend substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the filter sheet, wherein the first side and the second side extend substantially parallel to the first side and substantially parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the first side and the second side connect the first end and the second end, wherein the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side define a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are mirror images of each other, wherein the filter sheet further defines continuous waves extending in a direction parallel to the air flow direction.

10. The filter sheet according to claim 9, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 3 inches to 6 inches and an amplitude of 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

11. The filter sheet according to claim 9, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 4 inches to 5.5 inches and an amplitude of 0.1 inches to 0.35 inches.

12. The filter sheet according to claim 9, wherein the continuous wave has a period of 4.7 inches and an amplitude of 0.2 inches.

13. The filter sheet according to claim 9, having an elliptical spacer formed on the surface.

14. A filter pack for cooling a fluid flowing through the pack with a gas flowing substantially horizontally through the pack, comprising a plurality of identical filter sheets according to claim 9.

15. The filter pack according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of filter sheets are arranged such that the elliptical protrusions on adjacent surfaces of adjacent sheets are in contact with each other.

16. A cross-flow cooling tower comprising a plurality of filter sheets according to claim 1. The plurality of fill sheets are individually suspended from the direct heat exchange section, suspended from the direct heat exchange section in the form of a fill pack, or supported from below by a cooling tower structure in the form of a fill pack on the direct heat exchange section. Crossflow cooling tower.

Images