Energy conservation strategies, the ignored cooling towers

Conference · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:478261

Burger, R

Because of their apparent lack of sophistication, cooling towers are usually considered orphans of the facilities operation. Historically, cooling towers have been neglected in refrigeration air conditioning systems, electric power generating stations, manufacturing plants, and chemical process plants. Operators are aware of the importance of their sophisticated equipment but, they take the apparently simple cooling towers and cold water returning for granted, Since the box looks sturdy and the fans are rotating, the operators think all is well and ignore the quality of water coming off the tower. A cooling tower is purchased for Design Conditions of performance which are specified. Design Conditions relate to the volume of circulating water (GPM), hot water temperature (HWT), cold water temperature (CWT) discharge, and wet bulb temperature (WBT). The WBT consisting of ambient temperature and relative humidity. After the tower is on line and the CWT becomes inadequate, many engineers look to solutions other than the obvious. All cooling towers are purchased to function at 100% of capability in accordance with Design Condition. In the real world of on-stream utilization, the level of operation is lower. It can be deficient as much as 30% due to a variety of reasons which are not necessarily due to the failure of the performance of the tower.

• OSTI ID: 478261
• Report Number(s): CONF-961173--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COOLING TOWERS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
OPERATION