Types of Closed Circuit Cooling Towers 1. By Air/Water Flow Path & Construction 2. By Heat Rejection Method & Coil Design c) Fluid Coolers with Integral Freeze Protection
When to Choose Closed Circuit Cooling Tower When to Choose a Closed-Circuit Cooling Tower: A Decision Guide Choosing a Closed-Circuit Cooling Tower (CCT) is a strategic decision that prioritizes system protection, reliability, and lower lifecycle costs over minimal initial investment. Here are the key scenarios where a CCT is the clear...
CLOSED-CIRCUIT Cooling Tower Open Circuit Tower Closed Circuit Tower Cost Win on First Cost Win on Lifecycle Cost Protection Exposes the process fluid Protects the process fluid Operation Higher water/chemical use, higher pumping energy Lower water/chemical use, lower pumping energy Best For Non-critical cooling, budget-driven...
CLOSED-CIRCUIT Cooling Tower – Hybrid/Dry Cooler: The Third Option It’s worth noting a third common option that fits between these: Efficiency Spectrum:Open Tower (cools to wet-bulb temp) > Closed Circuit Tower (cools close to wet-bulb) > Dry Cooler (cools to dry-bulb temp).
Closed Circuit cooling tower vs open circuit cooling tower The choice between a Closed Circuit Cooling Tower (CCT) and an Open Circuit Cooling Tower (OCT) is one of the most fundamental decisions in cooling system design. It boils down to a trade-off between initial cost and system protection/lifecycle cost....
Key Decision for Selection of Closed-circuit cooling tower In summary, Closed Circuit Cooling Towers are applied wherever the reliability, purity, and precise control of the cooling fluid are as important as the cooling capacity itself. They are the engineering solution for marrying the high efficiency of evaporative cooling with the...
Why Choose a Closed Circuit Cooling tower in These Applications? A Quick Reference Table Application Category Primary Reason for Using a CCT HVAC / Chillers Protects chiller tubes from scaling; enables easy winter glycol use. Plastics, Lasers, Medical Absolute fluid cleanliness to protect multi-million dollar equipment and ensure product...
Applications of Closed-Circuit Cooling Tower The applications of Closed Circuit Cooling Towers (CCTs) are driven by their core advantage: protecting a clean, pressurized, and precisely controlled process fluid loop. They are the preferred choice wherever cooling water contamination, scaling, or freezing would cause operational...
Advantages of Closed-Circuit cooling tower at a Glance Advantage Impact Clean Process Fluid Protects sensitive equipment, ensures consistent performance. Lower Water Treatment Reduces chemical cost, complexity, and environmental impact. Easy Freeze Protection Ideal for cold climates; operational with glycol. Energy-Efficient Pumping Lower pump head...
. Superior Process Fluid Protection (The Primary Advantage) This is the most significant benefit and the core reason for choosing a CCT. 2. Reduced Water Treatment Costs & Complexity 3. Excellent Freeze Protection 4. Lower System Pumping Energy 5. Consistent Hydraulic Performance & Pressure 6. Reduced Risk of Legionella & Environmental...
A Closed-Circuit Cooling Tower (often called a Fluid Cooler or a Closed Loop Cooling Tower) is a specialized type of heat exchanger that cools a process fluid (water or a water-glycol mixture) in a closed loop, without exposing it directly to the atmosphere or the outside environment. Here’s a breakdown of how it...
KEY MATERIALS FOR FILLS Material Max Temp Properties Typical Use PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ~50-60°C (122-140°F) Low cost, good corrosion resistance, flammable. Standard for most film & splash fills in HVAC and general industry. PP (Polypropylene) ~70-80°C (158-176°F) Higher temp tolerance, good chemical resistance. Hot water processes,...
TYPES OF FILLS Fills are categorized by their heat transfer mechanism and material. 1. Splash Fill 2. Film Fill 3. Hybrid / Trickle Fill Mechanism: Combines features of both splash and film fill. Upper section may be splash for water
FILLS (Cooling Tower Fill / Packing) Definition & Core Purpose Fills (also called packing or wetted deck) are the heart of the cooling tower’s heat transfer system. They are internal structures designed to maximize the surface area and contact time between the falling hot water and...
Cooling Tower Selection Guidelines: When to Choose Which? Choose SINGLE CROSSFLOW when: Choose DOUBLE CROSSFLOW when: Economies of scale are desired for large industrial installations (lower cost per ton Performance Considerations
DOUBLE CROSSFLOW vs. SINGLE CROSSFLOW COOLING TOWER Comparison Overview Both are induced draft, crossflow towers using gravity distribution and horizontal airflow. The core difference is air entry from one side vs. two sides, leading to significant practical implications. Core Definition Recap Feature Single Crossflow Double...
Double Cross flow vs. Other Types Feature Double Cross flow Single Cross flow Induced Draft Counter flow Air Inlets Two opposite sides One side All around the bottom perimeter Plan Area (Footprint) Wider for same capacity Wider (one-sided) More compact Pump Head Required Low (gravity basin) Low Higher (pressurized nozzles) Fill...
Double Cross Flow Cooling Tower DOUBLE CROSSFLOW COOLING TOWER Definition & Core Concept A Double Crossflow Cooling Tower is a mechanical draft, crossflow design where air is drawn horizontally from two opposite sides of the tower, passes through two separate fill sections, and converges into a common...
COOLING TOWER WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS & CONTROL Parameter Target Range Reason / Effect pH 7.5 – 9.0 Low pH: Corrosion. High pH: Scaling, reduced biocide efficacy. Conductivity (TDS) Controlled via COC Direct measure of dissolved solids. Used to control blowdown. Alkalinity (M-Alk) 50-300 ppm as CaCO₃ Buffer for pH, relates to scaling...
COOLING TOWER WATER TREATMENT Purpose & Importance Water treatment is critical to: Untreated water leads to reduced heat transfer, increased energy consumption, equipment damage, downtime, and health hazards. . COMMON PROBLEMS IN COOLING SYSTEMS A. Scaling B. Corrosion C. Biological Fouling & Growth D. Fouling (Suspended...
COOLING TOWER WATER BALANCE Core Principle A cooling tower operates on a closed-loop recirculation but experiences continuous water loss. The Water Balance accounts for all water entering and leaving the system to maintain a steady-state operation and control dissolved solids concentration. 1. COMPONENTS OF THE...
SIZING A COOLING TOWER Core Concept Sizing a cooling tower involves determining its required thermal capacity (heat rejection rate) and physical dimensions to meet specific process cooling needs under design ambient conditions, while balancing capital and operating costs. 1. KEY INPUTS FOR SIZING (Design Parameters) A. Thermal...
COMPONENTS OF A COOLING TOWER Overview A cooling tower is a system of integrated components designed to maximize heat transfer through evaporation. Each part has a specific function critical to performance, efficiency, and reliability. Components vary slightly by tower type (natural draft vs. mechanical draft, Cross Flow vs. counter...
COOLING TOWER MATERIALS Overview Material selection is critical for cooling tower longevity, performance, and cost. The choice depends on corrosiveness of water/air, temperature, structural requirements, budget, and maintenance philosophy. Here’s a breakdown by component: 1. STRUCTURAL CASING & SUPPORTS Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)...
COOLING TOWER PERFORMANCE Core Performance Indicators Cooling tower performance is measured by its ability to reject a specified heat load while achieving the required cooling range with minimal approach to the wet-bulb temperature, all within constraints of energy use, water consumption, and cost. 1. KEY THERMODYNAMIC...
EVAPORATIVE COOLING TOWERS Core Definition & Principle An Evaporative Cooling Tower is a heat rejection device that uses the principle of evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of a water stream by rejecting waste heat to the atmosphere. It is the most common type of cooling tower for industrial and...
Induced Draft, Single-Flow, Cross Flow Cooling Tower Core Definition An Induced Draft, Single-Flow, Cross Flow Cooling Tower is a mechanical cooling tower where: How It Works (Step-by-Step) Key Components & Their Role in Cross Flow Design Advantages (Why Choose This Design?)
Square / Rectangular Shape FRP Cooling Tower Definition A Square or Rectangular FRP Cooling Tower is a modular or factory-assembled mechanical draft cooling tower with a box-like geometry, constructed primarily from Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) panels, basins, and structural components. It is the most common and versatile...
What is a “Bottle-Shaped FRP Cooling Tower”? It is a compact, induced-draft, factory-fabricated cooling tower made of Fiber Reinforced Plastic, featuring a cylindrical or slightly tapered “bottle-like” outer casing, usually housing all components in a single, integrated unit.It is NOT a giant hyperbolic...
Bottle-Shaped Cooling Tower (Hyperbolic Natural Draft) Definition & Visual Identity A bottle-shaped cooling tower refers to the iconic, large hyperbolic natural draft cooling tower commonly seen at thermal power plants and large industrial facilities. Its shape resembles a giant bottle or hourglass. Why the Hyperbolic Shape?...
FRP COOLING TOWER Definition:An FRP Cooling Tower is a type of mechanical draft cooling tower where the primary structural casing, components like the cold water basin, and often the fill support structure are made of Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP). FRP Material: Types & Common Design: Advantages of FRP Construction: Typical...
A Forced Draft, Counter Flow Cooling Tower is a mechanical draft cooling tower where air is pushed (forced) into the tower by a fan located at the air inlet, and the flow of air is in the opposite direction to the flow of falling water. . How It Works (Step-by-Step) 2. Key Components 3. Advantages Comparison with Induced Draft Counter Flow...
Advanced Fill Technologies High-Efficiency/Low-Clog Film Fill Zero Drift Fills Fire-Retardant Fills Installation Considerations Economic Impact Fill represents 15-25% of tower cost but determines 60-80% of cooling performance Industry Trends
Material Selection PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) CPVC (Chlorinated PVC) Polypropylene (PP) Wood Fouling and Maintenance Concerns Common Problems: Prevention: Selection Criteria When choosing fill type, consider:
Cooling Tower Fills/Packing: The Heart of Heat Transfer Cooling tower fills (also called packing or wetdeck) are the core heat exchange medium inside a cooling tower. They create an extensive surface area for air and water to interact, maximizing evaporation and cooling efficiency. Primary Function To increase contact surface...
A Vertical Spray Tower (also called a Spray Pond in a Tower or No-Fill Tower) is a simplified, robust type of evaporative cooling tower that operates without traditional fill media. Instead, it relies entirely on spray nozzles to create the water-air interface for heat transfer through evaporation. Core...
Applications 1. Water-Scarce Regions 2. Urban/High-Visibility Sites 3. Cold Climate Facilities Facilities with Variable Loads 5. Environmental Sensitive Areas Economic Considerations When to Choose This Design: Condition Recommendation Water cost > $3/1000 gal Strong candidate Strict plume regulations Often required Freezing concerns + high...
Combined Flow Coil/Fill Evaporative Cooling Tower A Combined Flow Coil/Fill Evaporative Cooling Tower (also called a Hybrid Wet/Dry Tower or Two-Stage Tower) is an innovative design that integrates both a closed-circuit coil bundle AND open tower fill media into a single unit, typically in series. This combination...
Hybrid/Dry-Wet Operation Many closed-circuit towers can operate in three modes for maximum efficiency: Key Design Considerations In summary: A closed-circuit cooling tower sacrifices some thermal efficiency and adds cost to achieve complete protection of the process cooling fluid. It’s the preferred choice when water quality, system...
Comparison with Open (Direct-Contact) Towers Parameter Closed-Circuit (Indirect) Tower Open (Direct-Contact) Tower Process Fluid Isolated in sealed coils Exposed directly to air Heat Transfer Fluid → Coil → Water Film → Air (Indirect) Water → Air (Direct Contact) Water Treatment Only for small spray loop Required for entire system...