Cooling Tower with Segmented Air Inlets for Dry Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling towers, particularly coil shed designs, face limitations in operating without water spray, as they lack air inlet access to the indirect cooling section, restricting their performance in dry modes and reducing cooling capacity, especially in cold climates.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical draft cooling tower design with adjustable air inlets and a fill sheet assembly beneath a liquid spray system, allowing for optional air inflow through louvers or removable panels to enhance air-cooled heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cooling tower is designed as a coil shed with closed indirect cooling section, then the structure is compact and simple, but the cooling capacity in dry mode is limited and air cannot flow through the indirect section
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling tower is divided into two independent sections: a direct evaporative cooling section with fill media and an indirect cooling section with coil assemblies. Each section has its own air inlet and can operate independently, allowing the indirect section to receive air flow separately from the direct section while maintaining structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet configuration is made adjustable through movable components such as louvers or removable panels that can be positioned to allow or restrict air flow. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize performance for different operating modes (wet mode with water spray and dry mode without water spray) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Device complexity
If air inlet is restricted to the direct cooling section only, then the structure remains simple, but the indirect cooling section cannot receive cooling air and performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet system is segmented into separate inlets for the direct cooling section and the indirect cooling section. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of air flow to each section, enabling the indirect section to receive sufficient air for heat exchange while keeping the overall air inlet configuration relatively simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
Air flow paths are created in multiple spatial dimensions by positioning air inlets at different locations and orientations. The indirect section receives air flow from directions different from the direct section, utilizing three-dimensional space to provide adequate air supply to both sections without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the cooling tower operates in wet mode with water spray, then cooling efficiency is high, but the system cannot operate in dry mode during cold weather months
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling tower is designed to perform multiple functions and operate in multiple modes: wet mode with water spray for high cooling efficiency during warm weather, and dry mode without water spray for operation during cold weather months. The indirect cooling section with coil assemblies provides universal cooling capability that can function in both modes, while the direct section with fill media provides enhanced cooling when water spray is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable components such as movable louvers or removable panels that can be reconfigured based on operational requirements. These dynamic elements allow the tower to transition between wet and dry operating modes by adjusting air inlet configurations and water spray patterns, providing versatility across different weather conditions and seasons.
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 optimized performance in both wet and dry modes by allowing controlled air inflow to the indirect cooling section, improving cooling capacity and operational flexibility, especially during winter months.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid spray assembly adapted to spray liquid downwardly between the air inlet and the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The cooling is provided by sensible cooling from the spray water on the outside of the conduits
Implementation Method 3
A fill sheet assembly is mounted beneath the liquid spray assembly to provide direct cooling of the liquid spray flowing downwardly onto the fill sheet assembly
Implementation Method 4
The indirect heat exchange assembly is adapted to receive a fluid to be cooled and to outlet the fluid after cooling
Implementation Method 5
a fan is mounted in the roof outlet of the tower. This fan draws or induces airflow inwardly into the cooling tower through a side wall or opposite side walls of the tower
Implementation Method 6
Water or other evaporative liquid to be cooled is pumped to the top of the cooling tower structure and distributed through a series of spray nozzles. These spray nozzles emit a diffuse spray of water across the top of a fill media
Implementation Method 7
The large surface area across which the water is dispersed on such sheets leads to cooling by the induced air flow directed between the sheets
Data Source
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AI summary
A mechanical draft cooling tower (118) includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A liquid spray assembly (132) is provided below the air outlet. A fill shell assembly (136) is provided below the liquid spray assembly such that liquid can be sprayed onto the fill sheet assembly. An indirect heat exchange assembly (142) is mounted beneath the fill sheet assembly. The indirect assembly usually comprises a series of coils through which a fluid to be cooled is circulated. A first air inlet (139) is provided beneath the fill sheet assembly and includes a closing assembly. A second air inlet (149) is provided beneath a top surface of the indirect assembly and includes a closing assembly.