Cooling Tower Selection Guidelines: When to Choose Which?
Choose SINGLE CROSSFLOW when:
- Space is narrow: Installed against a wall or in a corridor where air intake is only possible from one side.
- Capacity requirements are low to medium.
- Ease of winter operation is critical in cold climates (only one side to protect).
- Project budget is limited for smaller installations.
- Maintenance from one open side is the preferred access method.
Choose DOUBLE CROSSFLOW when:
- High cooling capacity is needed but plot length is limited. You can achieve higher capacity without lengthening the tower.
- Height restrictions exist (can use shallower fill depth spread over two sides).
- Balanced airflow and optimal thermal performance are priorities for a large system.
- Central internal maintenance access is preferred.
Economies of scale are desired for large industrial installations (lower cost per ton
Performance Considerations
- Thermal Efficiency: For identical fill and same total air/water flow, the double crossflow can be slightly more efficient due to more balanced air distribution and reduced potential for air bypass.
- Fan Power: The double crossflow may require 5-15% more fan power due to higher static pressure from the converging air paths and central plenum resistance.
- Water Treatment: Both are similar, but double crossflow has a larger common basin, which can help with chemical mixing.