Containerized Cooling Tower Layout for Stacking and Low Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling towers require a large height dimension, which limits their placement, transportability, and increases energy consumption due to the need for vertical pumping of hot water, and they cannot be efficiently stacked or positioned closely together.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower design with a skeletal frame conforming to ISO container dimensions, featuring telescoping legs, reduced vertical spacing, and a low-pressure water distribution system with increased nozzle density, allowing for compact stacking and efficient air flow, thereby reducing the need for vertical pumping and lowering energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cooling tower design is used with sufficient standoff distance for water distribution, then proper water distribution is achieved, but the height dimension becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the water distribution system from above the fill media to the sides of the cooling tower body, changing the spatial arrangement from vertical to lateral distribution. This dimensional change eliminates the need for large vertical standoff distance while maintaining effective water distribution across the fill media surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable telescoping support legs that can be extended or retracted to optimize the positioning of the water distribution system relative to the fill media. This dynamic adjustment capability allows proper water distribution without requiring fixed large vertical clearance.
2Ease of operation
If large height dimension is used for vertical spacing, then water distribution and air flow are adequate, but transportability and stacking capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping support legs can be retracted to minimize the overall height of the cooling tower for transport and stacking operations, while being extendable to provide adequate vertical spacing for water distribution and air flow during operation. This dynamic dimension adjustment resolves the contradiction between operational requirements and transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tower is designed as a modular unit with separable components including the skeletal frame, fill media, and support legs. This segmentation allows the tower to be disassembled or compacted for transport while maintaining full functionality when assembled, enhancing both transportability and operational performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If large height dimension is used, then proper water distribution spacing is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to vertical pumping
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from vertical water distribution (top-down spray) to lateral water distribution (side-mounted nozzles), the patent eliminates the need for pumping water to great heights. The lateral distribution system delivers water directly to the fill media at minimal elevation change, dramatically reducing the energy required for vertical pumping while maintaining adequate distribution spacing.
4Temperature
If traditional spacing is used, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but the cooling towers cannot be positioned closely together or stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral water distribution system allows cooling towers to be positioned much closer horizontally since water is distributed from the sides rather than requiring large vertical clearance. This enables tighter packing of multiple towers in parallel arrangements while maintaining effective water distribution and cooling efficiency through the side-mounted nozzle system.
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
Enables compact stacking and efficient use of space, enhances transportability, and decreases energy consumption by minimizing vertical pumping requirements, while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Water can then be sprayed downwardly onto the fill media, where it moves by gravity through the media to drip out the bottom
Implementation Method 2
the upwardly moving air, in counterflow to the downwardly moving hot water, removes heat from the water
Implementation Method 3
Air is directed upwardly through the fill media, in 'counter flow' to the water moving down
Implementation Method 4
evaporative cooling tower unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A cooling tower for evaporative cooling of water is contained within an ISO-compliant shipping container frame, permitting stacking of cooling towers for transport and for certain industrial applications. A volume of fill media is contained within the frame. Spaced apart troughs underlie the fill media, running substantially the length of the fill media and connecting to a basin. Baffles are connected to one upper edge of the troughs, while an air flow space is positioned over the other upper trough edge. A water distribution system, with variable flow nozzles positioned closely above the fill media, sprays water over the upper surface of the fill media, where it moves by gravity down into the troughs. Fans atop the fill media move air vertically upward through the fill media.