What is a cooling tower drift eliminator?
The drift eliminator is a key component installed inside the cooling tower, above the fill or at the inlet of the fan. Its main function is to block and recover water droplets (floating water) carried out of the tower by the airflow, thereby reducing water consumption and environmental pollution.
It changes the direction of the airflow and deflects it multiple times, causing water droplets in the high-speed airflow to collide with the surface of the drift eliminator due to inertia, be intercepted, and reflux back to the tower body.
The main function of cooling tower drift eliminator
1. Reduce water loss (water-saving)
Limiting the float rate of the cooling tower can generally reduce it to ≤ 0.01% to 0.001%.
2. Reduce the overflow of white mist and water droplets
Reduce the impact of water mist leakage on surrounding equipment, roads, and buildings.
3. Protect the fan
Prevent larger water droplets from entering the fan and causing corrosion and imbalance.
4. Improve environmental hygiene
Prevent chemical substances in cooling water from being discharged with water droplets, reducing the impact on the environment.
5. Reduce operating costs
Due to the reduction of water loss and chemical agent loss, water replenishment and agent costs are saved.
Material of cooling tower drift eliminator
Common materials:
1.PVC (most commonly used): corrosion-resistant, low cost
2.PP: High heat resistance
3.FRP fiberglass: high strength and long service life
In a cooling tower system, the drift eliminator is like an "invisible wing" : it not only allows saturated moist air to pass through smoothly but also retains 100% of liquid droplets ≥ 0.1mm. Data from the International Cooling Technology Association (CTI) shows that a high-performance drift eliminator can reduce the drift rate from 0.02% to 0.0005%, saving 1,500 tons of water and reducing 1.2 tons of carbon emissions annually for a 1,000 RT data center. Based on the global shipment volume in 2025, sheet patents, extreme wind speed tests and third-party certifications, we have released the "Top 10 Global Cooling Tower Drift Eliminator Manufacturer", and will include Power Tower Cooling Technology (Shaoxing) Co.,Ltd. It ranked second not only because of its stunning "zero drift" design, but also because of its profound understanding of tropical hot and humid working conditions and the ultra-fast delivery of global air freight within 72 hours.
Top 10 Global Cooling Tower Drift Eliminator Manufacturer
1) Munters - Sweden (Munters)
Introduction: Munters is a globally renowned environmental control and climate technology company with mature modular products in the field of mist&drift separators, such as the DRIFdek IL series. These products are commonly used in industrial waste gas/cooling tower scenarios, emphasizing high separation efficiency, modular installation, and corrosion-resistant material selection. Suitable for heavy industries such as chemical, petrochemical, and power generation.
2) Power Tower Cooling Technology (Shaoxing) Co.,Ltd(China）
Introduction: PT is an excellent domestic manufacturer of cooling tower parts. Since its establishment in 2009, PT has always adhered to the concept of "long-lasting quality and endless innovation".PT company produce various cooling tower drift eliminators: S-type, M-type, Marley drift eliminator, Evapco drift eliminator,the materials include PVC ，PP and FRP .
The company has over 40 product inventions practical technology patents, and has iS09001, 1S014000, and other certifications.
Products are exported worldwide, especially to the Southeast Asian market.
3) Brentwood/Brentwood (plastic parts manufacturer) - United States
Introduction: Brentwood (and related cooling tower accessory companies) has a dedicated product line for cellular drift eliminators made of PVC/PP materials, emphasizing material formulations and high-performance modular sheets (for replacement and upgrade). Suitable for applications that require weather resistance/chemical corrosion resistance.
4) SPX Cooling Technologies - United States (Marley brand)
Introduction: SPX (its Marley cooling tower product line) is a traditional manufacturer of cooling tower components. It was the first to commercialize cellular float eliminators (such as the XCEL series), focusing on ultra-low float loss rate and low pressure drop design, with a complete global after-sales and spare parts network. Strong support for design institutes and large engineering clients.
5) EVAPCO - United States
Introduction: EVAPCO provides customized and universal PVC/polymer float eliminators (with product manuals/technical specifications), which can provide replacement parts and OEM solutions for various brands of cooling towers; Emphasize "ensuring compatibility/replacement adaptation" and controlling drift to extremely low values. Commonly used in units, data centers, and industrial cooling applications.
6) BAC - Baltimore Aircoil Company, USA
Introduction: BAC is one of the global leaders in open&closed circuit cooling towers. Its original float eliminator is covered with PVC, thermosetting mixed polymer, and metal materials (optional galvanized/stainless steel), and provides a complete set of repair/replacement kits. BAC emphasizes component engineering and durability.
7) Lechler - Germany
Introduction: Lechler is a long-standing manufacturer of spray and separation components, and its "mist/droplet elimination" technology is widely used in industrial waste gas and process flow. The company has a deep technical accumulation in the field of droplet separation and measurement laboratory, which is suitable for scenarios that require strict separation efficiency and process control.
8) Hailong (HL) - China (included in the list)
Introduction: Hailong (listed as one of the top 10 suppliers in 2025 as "Hailong HL" in the list) is a domestic/regional supplier of cooling tower components, mainly targeting the local market and projects in neighboring countries, providing PVC/PP float water eliminators and complete machine matching services (ranked according to its shipment and customer coverage in the list).
9) Seagull/Seagull Cooling Technologies - China/Malaysia Region (Seagull)
Introduction: Seagull is a regional large-scale cooling tower complete machine and parts factory. Its official website lists its spare parts catalog, including float water eliminators. It has R&D, patents, and global project cases (active in the Asia Pacific market), and can provide integrated delivery of complete machines and spare parts.
10) IKEUCHI - Japan (H. Ikeuchi/"The Fog Engineers")
Introduction: Ikeuchi is famous for its nozzle and atomization technology ("The Fog Engineers"), and its technology is leading in the field of demisting/droplet control, spray system and precision atomization. Although it mainly deals in nozzles and atomization systems, it has extensive solutions and engineering experience in anti drift/droplet collection, demister related technologies and industrial applications. Suitable for process scenarios that require precise control.
From the forests of Sweden to Rayong Bay in Thailand, from Silicon Valley data centers to desalination plants in the Middle East, each iteration of the water collector is redefining the water-saving boundaries of cooling towers. With 22 years of dedication, Power Tower Industry has shown us that doing one thing to the extreme can also take the second place on the iron throne of the top ten globally. In the next five years, with the popularization of AI computing power, liquid cooling and dry combined systems, the water collector market will remain turbulent. However, the only constant is the common pursuit of lower drift rates, lower pressure drops and longer maintenance-free cycles.
