Synthesis Gas Demonstration Plant Program, Phase I. Trade-off studies report V: cooling tower optimization
The basic results of the economic investigation of rectangular mechanical draft cooling towers for the commercial plant application are tabulated. The results show that the annual costs, adjusted for the influence of cooled water temperature and cooling range on plant equipment costs and performance, follow a well defined pattern. Specifically, we find that for a given design cooled water temperature, costs are reduced when the cooling range (or temperature rise through the plant) is increased. The rate of cost reduction decreases however, indicating an eventual reversal of the trend caused by a rapid increase in the cost of plant equipment designed for high range and high temperatures. It is also noted that costs decrease as the design cooled water temperature approaches the design wet bulb temperature. This trend is due to the influence of plant costs since the trend in cooling tower costs is opposite. An optimum occurs at 83/sup 0/F cooled water temperature due to rapidly increasing cooling tower costs. The plotted results show that for all cooling ranges up to 35/sup 0/F, a cooled water temperature of 83/sup 0/F is the economic choice. This is also the lowest practical choice for cooling tower design. To allow for the specification of plant equipment to accept a cooled water temperature in excess of 83/sup 0/F, and to allow for some deterioration in tower performance without exceeding 120/sup 0/F hot water temperature, it is recommended that a range of 30/sup 0/F be used. Summarizing, it is recommended that the cooling tower be of the conventional rectangular mechanical design and based upon a cooled water temperature of 83/sup 0/F and a cooling range not to exceed 30/sup 0/F.
- Research Organization:
- Grace (W.R.) and Co., Memphis, TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-77ET13402
- OSTI ID:
- 5253983
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/13402-T14
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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