Cooling Tower Packing Module With Split Flow Paths for Fog Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling towers at high latitudes in winter form dense fog and ice due to supersaturated wet air discharge, leading to environmental and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A packing module with stacked flow paths and integrated import and export portions guides water and air through separate paths, allowing for heat exchange and mixing unsaturated air to reduce fog formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional cooling tower structure is used, then heat exchange function is achieved, but saturated wet air discharge causes fog formation and ice damage
Solution Approach 1:
The packing module is divided into multiple independent flow paths (first flow path and second flow path) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows different air streams to be processed separately, enabling the mixing of saturated wet air with unsaturated air to prevent fog formation while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The packing module structure serves multiple functions: it provides heat exchange surfaces, creates separate flow paths for different air streams, and enables air mixing to control discharge humidity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving the goal of preventing fog and ice damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths are added to the packing module, then air mixing capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow paths are integrated into a single packing module structure rather than using separate modules. The first and second flow paths share common structural elements and are manufactured as one integrated component, which improves air mixing capability while avoiding the increased manufacturing complexity that would result from assembling multiple separate modules
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the packing module are designed with locally optimized structures for their specific functions. The first and second flow paths have tailored configurations suited to their respective air stream requirements, while sharing common manufacturing processes and materials, thereby achieving versatile air mixing capability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
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
Reduces fog formation and ice damage by ensuring air discharged from the cooling tower is unsaturated, maintaining efficient heat exchange while minimizing manufacturing and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
stacked first flow path and second flow path which exchange heat between water sprayed from above and air flowing from below to above
Implementation Method 2
The cold air flows through partition sheets to absorb the heat released y the sprayed water from the adjacent flow path, so that the temperature of the air rises
Implementation Method 3
the saturated wet air from one flow path is mixed with dry hot air from the other flow path, so that the relative humidity of the wet air changes from saturated to unsaturated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a packing sheet, a packing module and a cooling tower. The packing module has: stacked first flow path and second flow path which exchange heat between water sprayed from above and air flowing from below to above; a first import portion for importing water sprayed from one side of the packing module in a width direction into the first flow path; a second import portion for importing water sprayed from the other side of the packing module in the width direction into the second flow path; a first export portion for guiding water flowing out from the first water path to one side of the packing module in the width direction for discharging; and, a second export portion for guiding water flowing out from the second water path to the other side of the packing module in the width direction for discharging. In accordance with the present invention, two flow paths in the packing module can operate in different operation modes, so that water or wind can flow through one flow path to cool water while only air can flow through the other flow path to realize heat exchange through partition walls, thereby reducing fog discharge when wet air is discharged to the atmosphere.