Air-Cooled Condenser Air Guide for Wind-Stable Natural Draft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-cooled condenser towers face inefficiencies in air flow and energy consumption due to insufficient natural draft, necessitating increased fan energy input, especially when subjected to varying wind angles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a framework with a fan deck, angled condenser coils, collector tubes, and substantially non-porous side walls with downwardly and outwardly projecting air guides to enhance air flow and reduce fan energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If natural draft is used for air flow, then energy consumption is reduced, but air flow volume is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide acts as an intermediary element between the side wall and the condenser coils, directing air flow from the lower region upward through the coils. This mediator structure enables the system to achieve sufficient air flow volume without requiring high fan energy input, as the air guide passively channels air along an optimized path.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide changes the parameters of air flow by extending downwardly and outwardly from the side wall, creating a specific geometric configuration that directs air flow. This parameter change in flow direction and distribution allows the system to maintain adequate air flow volume while operating at lower fan energy levels.
2Productivity
If fan energy input is increased to improve air flow, then air flow volume is improved, but total energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide enables the system to serve itself by passively directing air flow without requiring additional energy input. The downwardly and outwardly projecting structure of the air guide automatically channels air from the lower tower region upward through the condenser coils, reducing the energy burden on the fan while maintaining adequate air flow volume.
3Ease of operation
If open side walls are used for air intake, then air flow is easy to enter, but wind from various angles affects tower performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide introduces local quality differentiation by providing a specific structural feature (downwardly and outwardly projecting guide) at a particular location (side wall) to control air flow characteristics. This localized structure guides air flow in a controlled manner while maintaining the overall open configuration for easy air intake, reducing the impact of winds from various angles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution improves air flow efficiency and reduces fan energy consumption, maintaining performance across different wind angles while ensuring effective steam condensation and heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of condenser coils extending downward and at an angle from the steam headers... condensing means extending downward and at an angle from the steam headers... efficient condensation of steam, or other efficient heat transfer to a fluid
Implementation Method 2
The steam at the low pressure end of the turbine then is condensed by the condenser to create a vacuum... efficient condensation of steam
Implementation Method 3
a deck of the fans is added below the coils to provide a greater volume of air flow... fans which blow air upward so that the air is drawn in through the open sides of the tower and is forced upward by the fans
Implementation Method 4
Since the condensation coils are warmer compared to the ambient air entering the tower, as the air passes through the coils it tends to be warmed and tends to rise. This creates a natural draft which would draw some air into the sides of the tower below the coils and upward through the coils
Data Source
AI summary
An air cooled condensing tower system has a framework supporting a fan deck, a plurality of steam headers running longitudinally above the fan deck, a plurality of condensing coils extending downward and at an angle from the steam headers, and above the fan deck, a plurality of collector tubes disposed at the bottom of the condenser coils and above the fan deck. At least one substantially non-porous side wall is disposed on at least one side of the tower spanning from a height generally proximate the steam supply headers downward to a height generally proximate the fan deck. A downwardly and outwardly projecting substantially non-porous elongated upper air guide extends downwardly and outwardly from the side wall.