Kyltorn

A kyltorn, or kylningstorn, is a structure designed to remove heat from circulating water by transferring it to the atmosphere. They are used in power plants, chemical and process industries, district cooling systems, and large HVAC installations to cool water that is then returned to the process or condenser.

There are two main types: våta kyltorn (evaporative) and torra kyltorn (air-cooled). Våta kyltorn achieve cooling by allowing a portion of the water to evaporate as air flows upward through fill media or splash bars, which lowers the water temperature. Torra kyltorn use ambient air drawn over heat exchangers or finned coils, without significant water evaporation. Kyltorn can also be classified by draft method: natural-draft towers, often with a hyperboloid concrete shape, rely on buoyancy-driven air flow, whereas mechanical-draft towers use electric fans to move air.

Key components include a basin or sump for circulating water, spray nozzles or fill media to promote contact between air and water, drift eliminators to reduce water loss, and intake fans or louvers. In open-circuit configurations, a portion of the circulating water is lost as evaporation and drift, with makeup water added and blowdown used to control mineral buildup.

Applications and considerations: kyltorn improve process efficiency but consume water and energy. They require water treatment to prevent corrosion, fouling, and microbiological growth, notably Legionella risk in some systems. Maintenance includes cleaning of fill media, inspection of fans and drives, and monitoring water chemistry.

Environmental and safety aspects emphasize water use, chemical dosing, and mitigation of aerosol emissions.