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How Does Air-cooled Cooling Tower Work?
Cooling is an essential process in many industries, and it typically requires a significant amount of energy. Air-cooled cooling towers are used to reject heat from industrial processes using ambient air. This technology is an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional water-cooled systems, especially in areas where water is scarce or expensive.
Primary Function of Air-cooled Cooling Tower.
The primary function of an air-cooled cooling tower is to remove heat from a process through the use of ambient air. The tower consists of a heat exchanger where the process fluid flows and is cooled by passing air over the fins of the exchanger. The cooled process fluid is then returned to the process for reuse.
The heat transfer process in an air-cooled cooling tower is different from a water-cooled cooling tower. In a water-cooled tower, heat is rejected to water, which is then circulated through a heat exchanger, cooled and recirculated. In an air-cooled tower, heat is rejected directly to the ambient air and is not recirculated.
Mechanisms Involved in Air-cooled Cooling Tower.
There are two mechanisms involved in the operation of an air-cooled cooling tower: sensible heat and latent heat. Sensible heat is the heat that can be measured by a thermometer, while latent heat is the amount of heat absorbed or lost during a phase change, such as evaporation.
The cooling process involves the use of a finned-tube heat exchanger where the process fluid passes through the tubes, and air passes over the fins. As the hot process fluid flows through the tubes, it transfers its heat to the fins, and the hot air rises due to the density differences and is discharged into the atmosphere.
As the hot air rises, it draws in cooler air through the bottom of the tower. The cooler air passing over the fins absorbs heat from the process fluid, and the resulting warm air is discharged into the atmosphere. This transfer of heat between the process fluid and the ambient air is a result of sensible heat transfer.
Another mechanism involved in air-cooled cooling towers is latent heat transfer. This occurs when water evaporates from the surface of the fins due to the temperature difference between the surface and the ambient air. As water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the fins and the surrounding air. This process is known as evaporative cooling.
The addition of evaporative cooling in air-cooled cooling towers can significantly improve their efficiency. Due to this, many air-cooled towers incorporate some form of evaporative cooling, either in the form of a spray system or by using wetted fins.
Conclusion.
Air-cooled cooling towers have become a popular alternative to traditional water-cooled systems in many industries, mainly due to their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They are an excellent option for areas with water scarcity or where water is expensive to treat or transport.
Air-cooled cooling towers function by transferring heat from the process fluid to the ambient air through the use of a heat exchanger. The heat transfer process involves both sensible heat and latent heat transfer mechanisms.
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