Cooling Tower Shell Extension with Tensioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural draft cooling towers face challenges in increasing cooling capacity without enhancing airflow, which is hindered by the structural limitations and high investment costs of indirect dry cooling systems, and the inefficiencies of wet cooling systems in water usage.
Innovation Solution
A shell extension system with a tensioner is introduced to increase the height of the cooling tower, enhancing airflow by creating a greater pressure differential and mitigating wind loads through tensioners and ballast, allowing for increased cooling capacity without rebuilding existing towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the height of the cooling tower is increased to enhance cooling capacity, then the pressure differential and airflow are improved, but the structural stability and wind load resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by transitioning from a natural draft cooling tower to a forced draft configuration, adding the dimension of mechanical fan assistance to the airflow generation process. This allows the system to achieve enhanced cooling capacity through increased airflow velocity and pressure differential without relying solely on increased tower height, thereby maintaining structural stability while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the operational parameters of the cooling tower system - specifically changing from natural convection-driven airflow to forced convection with fans. This parameter change enables the system to achieve higher cooling capacity through controlled airflow rates and pressure differentials without requiring proportional increases in tower height, thus avoiding excessive wind load and structural instability issues.
2Loss of substance
If indirect dry cooling systems are used to save water resources, then water consumption is reduced, but investment cost and thermal efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by creating a hybrid cooling tower system that can operate in multiple modes - natural draft mode for standard operation and forced draft mode for enhanced cooling capacity or water conservation. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve water savings through reduced evaporation in forced draft mode while avoiding the full investment cost and thermal efficiency penalties of complete indirect dry cooling systems, as the wet cooling mechanism remains available when needed.
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 shell extension system efficiently increases cooling capacity by enhancing airflow and reducing wind loads, offering a cost-effective solution that can be installed quickly on existing towers, thus improving thermal performance without the need for additional heat transfer media or structural reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
The tensioner provides compression in the structure from the shell extension to a base of the cooling tower
Implementation Method 2
enhancing airflow by creating a greater pressure differential
Implementation Method 3
an air-cooled cooling tower consists of a multitude of air-cooled heat exchangers where the heat is conveyed to the ambient air by convection
Data Source
AI summary
A system for increasing a cooling capacity of a cooling tower includes a shell extension and a tensioner. The shell extension is to extend a height of the cooling tower. The tensioner is to provide a tensioning force from the shell extension to a base of the cooling tower.