How Does a Cooling Tower Work?
Air conditioning equipment & industrial processes can generate heat in the form of tons of hot water that needs to be cooled. That’s where industrial cooling towers come in. The overheated waters flow through the cooling towers, where it is re-circulated and exposed to cold, dry air.
The heat leaves the recycling cooling tower water through evaporation. The cooling water then re-enters the air conditioning equipment or process to cool that device, and the cooling cycle repeats over and over.
When the heated condenser moves to the cooling tower, the water is passed through some nozzle, which sprays the water into smaller droplets as it fills, increasing the surface area of the water and allowing for better heat loss through more evaporation.
The purpose of the fan above the water cooling tower is to bring air in from the bottom of the tower and the hot condenser at the top of the unit to move the water up and out in the opposite direction. The air will carry the heat into the atmosphere through the water evaporating from the cooling tower.
Cooling Towers:
In many industrial applications, the amount of increased heat in the system reaches such a high level that a device is needed to dissipate it.
Cooling towers are a device that does this through waste heat rejection in the open air. One of the most trusted platforms for cooling tower parts and products suppliers.
We are here to help you meet your technical & business needs. Continue reading for more information about these towers and their parts. As an important component of many industrial processes, a cooling tower is classified based on several different criteria.
They come in varieties of size, from smalls roof-top units to very large hyperboloid structures, and can be used in HVAC or industrial applications.
Cooling towers can be classified based on their methods of airflow generation, such as natural draft, mechanical drafts forced & induced, and fan-assisted natural drafts.
A cooling tower can be classified on the basis of its cooling flow into crossflow or counterflow cooling towers. The heats transfer method of cooling towers also classifies these devices into open-circuit wet cooling or closed-circuit wet, dry, or hybrid cooling towers.
It is possible to place these towers in package units or as a factory-assembled product (FAP) or a field-erected product (FEP). More information on the types and classification of cooling towers can be found here.
Cooling towers consist of separate components, and they have different parts working together to ensure the efficiency & proper functionality of the systems.
These parts wear out over time & require maintenance or retrofitting throughout the life of the tower. Below you will see the major parts and functions of a cooling tower.
Parts of Cooling Tower:
To give you an overview, take a peek at this cooling tower parts diagram below. You can see the location of the cooling tower parts and how they are connected. Following are the details of cooling tower parts, including cooling tower parts names and their functions.
#1. Cooling Tower Louver
The air intake louver is a part of the cooling tower that acts as a block for water splashes, noise, and debris. They also block sunlight from entering the cooling tower. They can also increase the airflow of the cooling tower as well as improve the appearance of the device.
If the louver is not maintained properly, the cooling tower will not function properly. In case you need to replace the louver, we offer various louvers that can fit any brand and type of cooling tower. We will meet your louver needs based on your cooling towers specifications & install them properly.
#2. Cooling Tower Fill Media
An important part of the cooling tower is the feed material/media. It is also known as a wet deck or surface. Its main functions in cooling towers are to accelerate the surface area of the cooling tower to allow optimal contact between air and water for the longest period of time.
The fill also creates thin flowing sheets of water that can expose more surface area of the water in contact. This can lead to a large evaporation rate. We offer two types of fill, i.e., splash and film fill. They are efficient, UV protected, and durable. Installing them is also easy.
#3. Cooling Tower Fan
Types of cooling towers such as counterflows, crossflow, & mechanical drafts have fans. The main functions of these fans are to push & force the air into the cooling towers.
Most cooling towers fans are noisy. However, there are fans available that are quieters. It is also available to look for fans that are durable & can tolerate the complexity of using the device.
#4. Cooling Tower Drift Eliminator
Another essential part of the cooling towers is the cooling tower drift eliminator. This part captures large droplets of water from the cooling tower’s air stream.
Water droplets contain chemicals & minerals that are affecting the environment. Meanwhile, drift eliminators prevent water droplets from leaking out into the cooling tower.
This changes the direction of the water droplets, which impact the blade walls and fall back into the cold water. Efficient drifts eliminators keep the undesirable loss of liquid water to less than .001% of the recirculating water flow rate.
#5. Cooling Tower Gear Box
Cooling tower gearboxes are required for large cooling tower fans and powerful motors. They act as reducers in that they slow down the rotational speed from the motor to the cooling tower fan. The cooling tower gearbox also acts as a torque multiplier which keeps the motor in good shape.
They also make mechanical systems more cost-effective. Without these gearboxes, the larger and heavier motor would have been able to handle the torque required by the fan. And it would be very expensive.
#6. Cooling Tower Float Valve
A cooling tower float valve is required to maintain the correct water level inside the cooling tower. They control and regulate the water level, which can contribute to the lifespan of the cooling tower.
The maintenance of these float valves is also less.
Usually, the complete kit of float valve includes float arm, valve, and float. Setting up the float valve setting requires trial and error, requiring adjustments to balance the make-up water with the tower. Take care not to wastewater in the overflow when the pump is turned off.
#7. Cooling Tower Nozzle
A cooling tower float valve is required to maintain the correct water level inside the cooling tower. They control and regulate the water level, which can contribute to the lifespan of the cooling tower.
The maintenance of these float valves is also less.
Usually, the complete kit of float valve includes float arm, valve, and float. Setting up the float valve setting requires trial and error, requiring adjustments to balance the make-up water with the tower. Take care not to wastewater in the overflow when the pump is turned off.
#8. Cooling Tower Basin
Cooling tower basins can be of different types, such as collection basins and distribution basins.
The collection basin is located at or below the cooling tower. Its purpose is to collect water and direct it to the sump or pump suction line.
Meanwhile, the distribution basin is a shallow type of elevated basin. It distributes hot waters to the towers through holes in the floor of the basin.
There is also a so-called cold water basin that can remove stagnant water and reduce the growth of any bacteria. Its suction strainer can be easily removed, and the basin takes little maintenance.
#9. Cooling Tower Piping
Cooling tower piping’s main function is to distribute water in a cooling tower. The magnitude and route of water piping between the heat source and the location of the tower depend on the type of tower, site layout, and topography.
Typical supply piping layouts are that the supply lines are located adjacent to the tall side of the towers. Meanwhile, vertical riser pipes are provided & connected to the inlet connection to the supply line at the height of the tower’s distribution system.
#10. Cooling Tower Motor
The purpose of a cooling tower motor is to drive fans on a type of cooling tower such as a mechanical draft cooling tower. The motors have to be efficient and durable to withstand the adverse environment in the tower.
There are two types of cooling tower motors, open and fully enclosed motors. The open motor generates outside air in the enclosure for cooling. Meanwhile, the fully enclosed motor prevents outside air from passing through the enclosure.
#11. Bottom-Line
Our Cooling Tower parts are highly efficient and of standard quality. They are made from durable materials and can meet the needs of your cooling tower. We encourage you to take a look at our cooling tower components, which are also low-cost.
You can contact us for more information and assistance. We are happy to meet your needs promptly. We will also briefly explain each cooling tower part and how to use and install it.
#12. Hot Water Distribution Basin
The hot water distribution basins are located above the fill where the hot process water is stored. Due to corrosion & deterioration over time, they may not provide a proper flow distribution down the nozzle to spray on fill resulting in significant loss of thermal performance and consequently avoiding such degradation in system performance, for they are changed.
#13. Cooling Tower Float Valve
The water inside the tower must be maintained at the correct level for the tower to operate properly. Therefore, over time, float valves also become one of the essential cooling tower parts, despite requiring only a little maintenance.
Float valves adjust the water level &, when properly calibrated, guarantee that no water is wasted when the pump stops at an overflow.
#14. Driveshafts
Powers generated by the motors will be transmitted through the driveshaft to the gearbox, making it one of the essential members of cooling tower parts.
It should be noted that since the shaft is in direct contact with the internal environment of the cooling tower, its manufacture requires the use of highly corrosion-resistant materials. The driveshaft should be able to be easily re-calibrated in case the shaft runs out.
#15. Air Inlet Louver
Air inlet louvers are responsible for preventing water splashing from the tower’s interior, preventing debris from entering, and also reducing noise emissions from the tower.
To maintain good thermal efficiency, external sources of heating the tower should be minimized. Louvers also act as shades to block sunlight.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about cooling towers based on the information provided:
What is a cooling tower and how does it work?
A cooling tower is a device used to dissipate heat from industrial processes or air conditioning systems. It works by circulating water through the tower, where it is exposed to air to facilitate heat transfer through evaporation.
What are the main components of a cooling tower?
The main components include cooling tower louvers, fill media, fans, drift eliminators, gearboxes, float valves, nozzles, basins, piping, motors, and driveshafts.
How do cooling tower louvers contribute to efficiency?
Louvers block sunlight, debris, and water splashes, while also enhancing airflow and improving the tower’s appearance. Proper maintenance ensures optimal performance.
What is the role of fill media in a cooling tower?
Fill media increases the surface area of water exposed to air, enhancing evaporation and heat transfer efficiency. Types include splash and film fill, both durable and UV protected.
Why are drift eliminators important in cooling towers?
Drift eliminators capture large water droplets from the air stream, preventing
