Wet cooling towers: rule-of-thumb design and simulation

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5281927· OSTI ID:5281927

Leeper, Stephen A. ^[1]

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1. EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

A survey of wet cooling tower literature was performed to develop a simplified method of cooling tower design and simulation for use in power plant cycle optimization. The theory of heat exchange in wet cooling towers is briefly summarized. The Merkel equation (the fundamental equation of heat transfer in wet cooling towers) is presented and discussed. The cooling tower fill constant (Ka) is defined and values derived. A rule-of-thumb method for the optimized design of cooling towers is presented. The rule-of-thumb design method provides information useful in power plant cycle optimization, including tower dimensions, water consumption rate, exit air temperature, power requirements and construction cost. In addition, a method for simulation of cooling tower performance at various operating conditions is presented. This information is also useful in power plant cycle evaluation. Using the information presented, it will be possible to incorporate wet cooling tower design and simulation into a procedure to evaluate and optimize power plant cycles.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5281927
• Report Number(s): EGG--GTH-5775; ON: DE82012196
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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COOLING TOWERS
COST
DESIGN
ENERGY TRANSFER
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT TRANSFER
MECHANICAL DRAFT COOLING TOWERS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
SIMULATION
TOWERS
WATER REQUIREMENTS