Modular Heat Exchange Tower with Pre-Assembled Basins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling towers are labor-intensive and costly to assemble due to the size and structural limitations of components, particularly the cold water basin, which requires on-site assembly and poses challenges in ensuring proper sealing and quality control.
Innovation Solution
A modular heat exchange tower design featuring dual pre-assembled water collection basins that can be manufactured in a factory and transported to the site, reducing on-site assembly time and costs, and allowing for larger cooling capacities without exceeding transportation size limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single large cold water basin is used to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the transportation cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cold water basin is divided into multiple separate basins (first cold water basin and second cold water basin) instead of using a single large basin. Each basin can be manufactured and transported separately, reducing transportation difficulty and cost while collectively providing the required cooling capacity through their combined volume.
2Quantity of substance
If a single large cold water basin is assembled on-site to achieve required capacity, then the cooling capacity is met, but labor costs and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cold water basins are pre-assembled and pre-sealed at the manufacturing plant before shipment. The basins arrive at the installation site ready-to-install, eliminating on-site assembly operations and ensuring proper sealing is completed under controlled factory conditions rather than requiring time-consuming on-site assembly.
3Quantity of substance
If a single large cold water basin is used, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the sealing quality and reliability decrease due to on-site assembly challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The cold water basins are pre-assembled and pre-sealed at the manufacturing plant where controlled conditions ensure high-quality sealing. Multiple basins are prepared in advance with proper sealing completed under factory supervision, eliminating the reliability issues associated with on-site assembly and ensuring consistent sealing quality across all basins.
4Loss of time
If modular components are used to reduce on-site assembly, then assembly time is reduced, but the structural strength and size limitations are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling tower is divided into modular components including multiple cold water basins, fill sections, and other standardized modules. Each module is manufactured to standard dimensions that optimize both transportability and structural integrity. The modular design with standardized connection interfaces ensures structural strength is maintained while enabling factory assembly and reducing on-site construction time.
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 modular design reduces labor and transportation costs, minimizes on-site assembly time, and ensures consistent quality by allowing for larger cooling capacities and efficient assembly of components that fit within standard transportation dimensions, enhancing safety and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
The flume is configured to direct water from the first basin to the second basin
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a modular heat exchange tower comprising a first module comprising a first basin disposed therein and a second module comprising a second basin disposed therein. The aforementioned modular heat exchange tower may also include heat exchange sections, which are disposed in the first module and the second module. The first module and the second module may be assembled prior to being transported to a job site and installed in the modular heat exchange tower.