Because effective heat exchange is a critical need in the design of an HVAC system, the type of cooling tower you choose to meet the specific cooling requirements of your project must be carefully considered. It is possible to examine cooling tower capabilities after defining the process characteristics necessary for your application – tonnage, range, and approach – by doing an analysis of the process parameters.
In order to select the most appropriate cooling tower for your application, you must consider the variables that are most relevant to your project specifications.
Given the various advantages of both induced draught crossflow and counterflow cooling towers, the design requirements and operating conditions specific to your application will indicate which cooling tower is most appropriate for your project’s needs. In terms of cooling tower design, the primary distinction between crossflow and counterflow cooling towers is how air passing through the tower interacts with the process of water being cooled. In a cross flow cooling tower, air moves horizontally across the direction of the flowing water, rather than vertically over it. Counterflow towers are structures in which air travels vertically upwards in the opposite direction (counter) to the direction in which the falling water is travelling. In this article, we are going to explore more about the working mechanism of a cross flow cooling tower. Consider these points when you lookout for the best cooking tower that suits your requirements.
Design of a Crossflow Cooling Tower
In a crossflow tower, air travels horizontally across the direction of the flowing water in the opposite direction of the falling water. This design eliminates the requirement for air to flow through the water distribution system, which is the reason that there is no other mechanism necessary for the water to cascade down the cooling tower other than gravity to cause the water to fall down the cooling tower.
The installation of a hot water basin is a regular practice when designing a crossflow cooling tower in order to ensure that the water falling on the fill medium is uniformly distributed throughout.
Working Principle
A crossflow cooling tower operates extremely effectively in cold weather because of the crossflow design. Water can be evenly distributed across the fill thanks to the gravity-fed water distribution system, which can operate at turndowns as low as 30% of design flow without compromising performance. Water channelling, ice development, unexpected performance, scale buildup, and potential damage to the tower are all prevented by uniform dispersion of the water. If you are operating in cold weather, the use of devices such as cups or dams in the hot water basin can help to direct the heat load toward the weather-exposed face of the fill, which will reduce the likelihood of ice accumulation.
When it comes to cooling towers in general, the functioning concept of the crossflow cooling tower is no different than what is generally true: As water runs through the fills, the surface area of the water increases, allowing the water to cool down by convective heat transfer to the passing air.
It is necessary to pump the process water up to the top of the cooling tower, where it will be disposed of in the hot water distribution basin. The distribution basin is located out of the path of the airstream and is fed by gravity. The only thing that propels the nozzles is the hydrostatic head of water that exists above the nozzle. One advantage of gravity-fed crossflow water distribution is that it may be cleaned while the cooling tower is still in operation because it is easily accessible from the outer top of the cooling tower, which allows for more efficient operation.
The purpose of louvres is to keep water contained within a cooling tower. Splash out, which can convert to ice in sub-freezing temperatures, is prevented by these devices. Integral louvres placed into the fill of some crossflow towers aid in the retention of water within the fill of the tower. This eliminates the possibility of ice formation on the outside of the building.
Summing Up
The decision between a crossflow cooling tower and a counterflow cooling tower for your application is based on the elements that are most relevant to your project’s requirements. Both types are good means of supporting chillers and achieving efficient evaporative cooling, with the exception of a few minor design changes between the two types. In this article, we have discussed all the important aspects involved with choosing a crossflow cooling tower. It is very important to know about its working mechanism before you make a decision to invest in it. So, this article has all the important points listed that you will need while investing in a crossflow cooling tower!
