1) Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of air velocity and water flow rate on the wet bulb
approach and to determine the differential pressure through the packing. Cooling towers are heat removal
devices used to transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere. This experiment was done with the purpose
to study the heat and mass transfer as well as the mass energy balance in a closed system. In this
experiment, the water stream was introduced at the top of the cooling tower which then falls over through
the packing materials and was exposed to air. The packing material in the cooling tower was used to
increase the surface area of contact with water and to cool it to the atmosphere. During the contact
between gas-liquid interface, the water evaporates into the air stream. Here, latent heat of evaporation was
carried into the bulk of air by the water vapor. Besides that, the experiment also were conducted to
determine the power for the system. In this case, the blower and heater power were used. Then, in order to
determine the effectiveness of the system, the temperatures of the water and air entering and leaving were
recorded to calculate the thermodynamic balance. The measurements taken are include the psychometric
data at the air entry and exit. The temperatures of water flow rate were also recorded and making a
velocity profile for the cooling tower fan. Last but not least, through this experiment, we had experienced
to use this equipment by hands on approach. Examples for cooling tower used in an industry are air
conditioner, refrigerator, cooling tank in an industry and others.

2) OBJECTIVE
To study the performance of a given cooling tower depends on the following variables:

Air flow rate

Water flow rate
Inlet water temperature
Inlet air temperature
Air humidity at the inlet

3)

RECOMMENDATION :

Throughout the experiment, there are a few precaution steps or recommendations that can be taken in
order to get more accurate results and data. First, the temperature of the cooling tower unit must be set
lower or at 45C because the maximum temperature of the cooling tower is 45C. Second, we must wait
for 10 15 minutes every time we have change the power of the heater and water flow rate in order to
stabilize the instrument. Third, the power of the heater and water flow rate must not be higher than 1.5
kW and 2.0 LPM respectively. Lastly, handle the instrument properly and use safety attire when in the
pilot plant.