INTRODUCTION Cooling tower is the heat transfer devices designed to cool hot water by bringing it into direct contact

with air, using counter current or cross flow patterns. Basically cooling tower contains wood or plastic slats (known as fill) that direct airflow and the flow of water falling from the top of the tower. The downward-flowing water coats the fill and forms a film where it will increase the surface area for contact between cool air and hot water. Hot water is then transfer heat to the cooler air when it gets contacts in the tower. This process results in both sensible heat loss which can be measured or felt and also evaporation. When the water changes to vapor, the vapor takes heat energy with it, leaving behind the cooler water which can be used in various types of equipment.

Basically, cooling tower contains: Water distribution header A pipe that evenly disperse hot water over the fill of a cooling tower. Splash bar & fill A device used in a cooling tower to direct the flow of falling water and increase surface area for air and hot water contact. Water basin Storage compartment for cool water at the bottom of a cooling tower. Drift eliminators Device in cooling tower that is used to keep the water from blowing out of the cooling tower system. Make up water line Use to add new water that loss during cooling process. Some cooling tower have air intake louvers Slats that is located on the side of the tower to direct airflow in the tower.

Cooling tower classified into 4 types:

1. Atmospheric cooling tower

These types of cooling tower use wind blows as a cooling medium (plant near to wind source). Winds will blow horizontally where air moves in a cross flow direction with the hot water. Cool air enters the tower through the louvered sides and passes across the downward-flowing hot water. As air is heated by contact with the hot water, it travels up because hot air rises (density difference). Air is moving in a counter flow direction, opposite with the falling water. Water that leaves the tower is to be 4 or 5F lower than wet-bulb temperature of the entering air. Atmospheric cooling tower has 30-55% efficiency of cooling and cost effective because this type of cooling tower does not require a fan. However, the efficiency can fluctuate because it does depend on the wind velocity. 2. Natural-draft cooling tower

Natural-draft cooling tower have large stack or chimney that is associated with power plant operation. Air flow is produced by temperature induced density

differences inside and outside the stack. The fill pattern has 2 types which is cross flow (higher airflow rate) or counter flow (more efficient evaporative heat transfer). The fill and water distribution system are located below the chimney or stack. During operation, air enters the cooling tower at the base and directed into the internal fill pattern. As hot water drops through the fill, it is exposed to the cooler air and the density changes from hot air to cool air where it create upward draft and remove the heat via the chimney. The efficiency is depends on the relative humidity and temperature of the outside air.

3. Forced-draft cooling tower

This types of cooling tower forced air in mechanically by using fans on the lower side of the tower. This cooling tower has solid sides without louvers. The fans push 100% of the process air upward against the flow of water (downward) where the flow direction is in counter flow. Air flow can have high velocities but the exiting air slows so much that it is recirculated back into the tower, cutting efficiency by 20%. These cooling towers have higher heat transfer rates as compared to atmospheric and natural-draft and they are lower in height. However, forced draft cooling tower less is efficient than induced-draft because some hot air is recirculated back into the system.

4. Induced-draft cooling tower

Induced-draft cooling tower designs differ from the forced-draft cooling tower that it pulls air out of the tower rather than forcing it in. The airflow in this system is slower than forced-draft type but heat transfer through evaporation is more efficient. The tower fan is located on top of the tower where it produce discharge rates strong enough to lift the hot air above the tower so hot air is not recirculated into the tower. This design can circulate airflow both cross flow (horizontally) or counter flow (vertically).