coolingtower

A cooling tower is a heat rejection device that removes waste heat to the atmosphere through the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. This is done by using air to evaporate a portion of the recirculating water. The cooling tower is a type of heat exchanger. Cooling towers are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including power generation, chemical processing, and oil refining. They are also used in large buildings for air conditioning systems. The primary purpose of a cooling tower is to improve the efficiency of these systems by maintaining optimal operating temperatures. Without cooling towers, many industrial processes and large HVAC systems would overheat and function poorly, or not at all.

The basic principle of operation involves circulating warm water from a process or HVAC system to the cooling tower. Inside the tower, this water is brought into contact with air, allowing for heat transfer. Evaporation is the primary mechanism for heat removal. As a small portion of the water evaporates, it absorbs a significant amount of heat from the remaining water, thus cooling it. The cooled water is then collected and recirculated back to the system it serves. The air, now warmer and more humid, is expelled into the atmosphere. Different designs exist, such as natural draft and mechanical draft towers, each with its own advantages and applications depending on factors like size, location, and available space.