Direct forced draft fluid cooler/cooling tower and liquid collector therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling towers face inefficiencies due to non-uniform air distribution and high maintenance costs associated with large liquid collection basins, which also increase weight and structural height, and fail to effectively address air diffusion and sedimentation issues.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile, transportable cooling tower system with a novel water/liquid collector and air diffuser system positioned above fans, using elongated V or U-shaped troughs to collect liquid and diffuse air uniformly across the tower, reducing pressure drop and eliminating the need for large basins, allowing for external liquid collection and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cooling towers use large liquid collection basins to collect and contain circulating water, then the system can charge and contain sufficient liquid, but the basins become maintenance-intensive requiring workers to enter confined spaces for cleaning and increase system weight and rooftop loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid collection function from the tower interior by providing an external liquid collection plenum that receives liquid from the tower exterior. This separates the collection basin from the confined tower space, eliminating the need for workers to enter confined spaces for maintenance while still providing sufficient liquid volume for system charging and operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the liquid collection system from a vertical configuration within the tower to a horizontal external plenum configuration. This dimensional change allows the collection basin to be accessible from the exterior without requiring entry into the tower's confined interior space
2Quantity of substance
If conventional cooling towers use large liquid collection basins, then sufficient liquid volume is available for system charging, but the large volume of liquid increases system weight and rooftop loading
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the collection plenum from the tower structure and positioning it externally, the patent allows the liquid volume necessary for system charging to be provided without adding the same weight burden to the tower structure and rooftop support system
3Quantity of substance
If conventional cooling towers use parallel elongated collection plates that are sloped and overlap, then liquid can be collected and directed to gutters, but air flow on wall areas is blocked and air enters fill media at an angle forcing much of the air to one side, significantly reducing thermal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the collection plates from the interior of the tower where they would block air flow paths. Instead, liquid collection is performed externally on the tower exterior, allowing air to flow freely through the fill media without obstruction or angular deflection that would reduce thermal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the liquid collection function from the air flow path by providing separate collection plates on the tower exterior that direct liquid to gutters without interfering with the internal air flow through the fill media. This segmentation allows both liquid collection and optimal air flow to occur simultaneously without interference
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 design enhances thermal performance, reduces maintenance and manufacturing costs, minimizes liquid volume and weight, and eliminates the need for internal basins, improving airflow efficiency and reducing health risks associated with confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The water collector is positioned below the fill media in the tower or the heat transfer coils of the fluid cooler and collects substantially all of the liquid flowing through the fill or heat transfer coils
Implementation Method 2
The water collector is also constructed to diffuse air from the fans across the width of the tower through its support structure so that air flow through the fill media or heat transfer coils is uniform
Implementation Method 3
evaporative cooling towers
Implementation Method 4
evaporative coolers
Implementation Method 5
heat transfer coils
Data Source
AI summary
A water collector for use in fluid coolers, cooling towers and the like is provided with fans at the bottom of the collector, and a plurality of layers of water collection troughs or channels above the fans to capture water droplets sprayed downwardly from the top of the device through a heat exchanger or fill media above the collection troughs. In one embodiment the collection troughs supply the collected water to one or more gutters inside the housing which lead the water to an external collection tank from which the water is recirculated through the system.