Economic Importance of cooling tower
- Capital Cost: Cooling water systems represent a significant portion of offsite (utility) capital investment.
- Operating Cost: Includes pump horsepower (energy), water makeup, expensive treatment chemicals, and maintenance.
Efficiency Impact: The temperature of the cold water returning from the tower (approach to wet bulb temperature) directly affects condensation temperatures and pressures, influencing column efficiency, compressor loads, and ultimately, product yields and fuel consumption