Induced Draft Cooling Tower Modulating Louvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling towers with dry sensible and evaporative heat exchange sections have a fixed sensible cooling capacity percentage, which limits their ability to adjust to changing ambient temperatures and cooling loads, leading to inefficient water usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating modulating louvers that adjust air flow across the dry sensible heat exchange section to increase its cooling capacity while reducing air flow and capacity in the evaporative section, allowing a greater portion of the cooling load to be handled by the dry sensible section and conserving water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the dry sensible heat exchange section operates with fixed air flow, then the evaporative heat exchange section handles a larger portion of the cooling load, but water consumption increases and the system cannot adapt to changing ambient temperatures and cooling loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air flow distribution adjustable rather than fixed. Modulating louvers are installed in the air flow paths to both the dry sensible heat exchange section and the evaporative heat exchange section, allowing the system to dynamically adjust air flow distribution based on ambient temperature and cooling load conditions. This enables the dry sensible heat exchange section to handle a greater percentage of the total cooling load when conditions are favorable, thereby reducing water consumption in the evaporative section while maintaining system adaptability.
2Productivity
If modulating louvers are added to adjust air flow distribution, then the dry sensible heat exchange section can increase its cooling capacity, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modulating louvers provide dynamic control of air flow distribution to optimize the cooling capacity of the dry sensible heat exchange section. The louvers can be adjusted based on ambient temperature and cooling load conditions, allowing the system to maximize dry cooling performance when conditions are favorable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the air flow parameters by using modulating louvers to adjust the volume and distribution of air flow to different heat exchange sections. This allows optimization of the cooling capacity distribution between the dry sensible heat exchange section and the evaporative heat exchange section based on operating conditions.
3Loss of substance
If the evaporative heat exchange section handles more cooling load, then the system is simpler to operate, but water evaporation increases reducing water efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The modulating louvers enable dynamic adjustment of air flow distribution between the dry sensible heat exchange section and the evaporative heat exchange section. By increasing air flow to the dry sensible heat exchange section when ambient conditions permit, the system reduces reliance on water evaporation for cooling, thereby reducing water evaporation losses while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized louver control.
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
This configuration enhances the dry sensible heat exchange section's cooling capacity, reducing water evaporation and optimizing performance across varying ambient temperatures and cooling loads, thereby achieving a water-saving and adaptable cooling solution.
Implementation Method 1
The hot water undergoes indirect sensible heat exchange with a counter flowing air stream drawn through the cooling tower by a fan mechanism
Implementation Method 2
the water is spread evenly across the entire outside surfaces of each circuit and picks up heat from the fluid inside the circuits. Air that provides cooling to the evaporative liquid falling downwardly over the circuits is drawn counter to the flowing evaporative liquid by fan mechanism. In this evaporative process energy is transferred from the evaporative liquid to the air stream by a combination of heat and mass transfer processes
Implementation Method 3
the exhaust air is drawn across and upwardly by a fan
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling tower or, in alternate operation an evaporative condenser, is provided having a dry sensible or indirect heat exchange section and an evaporative heat exchange section. The dry sensible section includes a coil circuit through which a liquid to be cooled passes. The evaporative section is below the dry sensible section and may include a coil circuit or fill sheets. Modulating louvers are provided to allow the air flow and accordingly the evaporative loading to be varied between the dry sensible section and the evaporative section.