Cooling Tower Range and Approach Relationship

In summary, the conversation is about understanding the performance data of cooling towers at different wet bulb temperatures. The question is why the cooling tower's approach data at a lower wet bulb temperature is greater than at a higher wet bulb. The answer may involve tower loading and the Marley TR-16 "Cooling Tower Approach" resource from SPX Cooling can provide further information.
  • #1
Pointedstud
1
0
Hello folks, got a question regarding cooling tower I will like to understand.

I got some performance data from some cooling tower makers on the condition of how the cooling tower will operate at different wet bulb temperature.

Assumeing flow and fan power is constant, what i observe was the cooling tower's approach data at a lower wet bulb temperature at design range, is actually greater than at a higher wet bulb.

Why is that so ? Aint it suppose to be at a lower wet bulb temperature it should be equal to design approach ( example @ 3 degC) why will it be higher than ? any reason ?
 
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  • #2
I'm having trouble following your question, but the answer probably involves tower loading.
Marley used to print an excellent primer on cooling towers; it looks like what they (as SPX Cooling) have posted online is equally valuable.

TR-16 "Cooling Tower Approach" ought to point you in the right direction.

http://spxcooling.com/library/results/search&keywords=approach/
 

1. What is the purpose of a cooling tower?

A cooling tower is a heat rejection device that is used to remove excess heat from a process or building. It is typically used in industrial and commercial settings to cool water that has been heated by equipment or processes, such as power plants, HVAC systems, or manufacturing processes.

2. What is the range and approach relationship of a cooling tower?

The range and approach relationship of a cooling tower refers to the difference between the temperature of the water entering the tower (known as the hot water temperature) and the temperature of the water leaving the tower (known as the cold water temperature). The difference between these two temperatures is known as the range. The approach is the difference between the cold water temperature and the wet-bulb temperature, which is the lowest temperature that can be achieved by evaporative cooling.

3. How does the range and approach affect the efficiency of a cooling tower?

The range and approach play a crucial role in the efficiency of a cooling tower. As the range increases, the efficiency of the tower decreases because it takes more energy to cool the water to a lower temperature. Similarly, a smaller approach means that the tower is able to cool the water closer to the wet-bulb temperature, resulting in higher efficiency.

4. How is the range and approach relationship affected by the design of a cooling tower?

The range and approach relationship is primarily affected by the design of the cooling tower, specifically the type of fill (the material used to increase the surface area for evaporation) and the airflow through the tower. Towers with larger surface area and higher airflow will have a smaller approach and larger range, resulting in higher efficiency. Additionally, the type of heat exchanger used in the tower can also impact the range and approach relationship.

5. How can the range and approach be optimized in a cooling tower?

To optimize the range and approach in a cooling tower, it is important to regularly maintain and clean the tower to ensure efficient operation. Additionally, adjusting the water flow rate and adjusting the fan speed can also impact the range and approach. Properly sizing the cooling tower for the specific application can also help optimize the range and approach relationship.

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