What Are The Main Components of A Cooling Tower?

Cooling towers are key equipment for cooling industrial circulating water, and their performance depends on the following core components:

1. Fan system

Axial flow/centrifugal fans: Forced ventilation cooling towers use axial flow fans (with air volume up to 200-1000m³/s), while induced ventilation types mostly use centrifugal fans. The cooling tower fan speed is usually 100 to 500rpm, and its energy consumption accounts for 30% to 50% of the total power consumption of the system (refer to the "Industrial Cooling Tower Design Manual").

- Motor and reducer: They drive the fan to operate and need to be equipped with moisture-proof and anti-corrosion designs.

2. Filler layer

- Function: Increase the contact area between water and gas to enhance heat exchange efficiency. Common types of cooling tower packing include film type (PVC material) and splash type (polypropylene material), with heat exchange efficiency reaching 60% to 80%.

- Parameters: The packing height is typically 1-2.5m, and the pressure drop is controlled at 15-30Pa/m (ASHRAE standard).

3. Water distribution device

- Rotating nozzle/fixed nozzle: Evenly distribute hot water, with a coverage rate of over 90%. The nozzle diameter is 5 to 20mm, and the flow rate range is 5 to 50m³/h.

- Anti-clogging design: Regular cleaning is required to prevent calcium scale accumulation.

4. Water collector (water separator)

Function: Reduces water droplet drift loss, with a water-saving rate of up to 0.001%-0.005% (EPA data). The materials are mostly PVC or fiberglass reinforced plastic, and the installation Angle is 45°-60°.

5. Shell structure

- Material: Fiberglass reinforced plastic (corrosion-resistant), galvanized steel (high strength) or concrete (for large industrial towers).

- Air duct: Optimize air flow organization and reduce vortex resistance.

II. Auxiliary Systems and Special Designs

Circulating water pump

The head is 15-50 meters, and the flow rate is selected at 1.2 times the cooling water volume (GB/T 7190 standard).

2. Drain valve and filter

Regularly drain the concentrated water and control the water hardness to be ≤500mg/L (industry-recommended value).

3. Intelligent control system

Variable frequency regulation of the fan/pump speed can save 20% to 40% of energy (case data).

III. Component Differences among Different Types of Cooling Towers

1. Open and closed cooling towers

Closed towers are equipped with coil pipes (made of stainless steel or copper) to prevent water pollution, but the cost is 30% to 50% higher.2. Cross-flow and counter-flow design

The cross-flow tower packing is placed on both sides, resulting in low wind resistance. The airflow in the counter-flow tower rises vertically, resulting in higher heat exchange efficiency.

Extended Note: The selection of cooling towers requires a comprehensive assessment of component parameters and environmental conditions. For instance, in areas with high temperature and humidity, the air volume of the fan should be increased by 10% to 15%, while in northern winters, anti-freezing designs (such as electric tracing) are required. By optimizing the component combination, the temperature difference of the cooling tower can reach 5-15℃, meeting the strict requirements of industries such as chemical engineering and power.