| Fills vs. Drift Eliminator in Cooling Towers Both fills and drift eliminators are critical components in cooling towers, but they serve different purposes: 1. Fills (Cooling Tower Fill) Purpose: Increase the surface area for air-water contact to enhance heat transfer. Function: Breaks water into thin films or droplets to maximize evaporation. Improves cooling efficiency by extending the contact time between air and water. Types: Splash Fill – Uses layers of bars or grids to break water into droplets. Film Fill – Has closely spaced sheets that spread water into thin films for better heat exchange. Material: PVC, PP, or wood (depending on water quality and temperature). 2. Drift Eliminator Purpose: Prevents water droplets from escaping the cooling tower with the exhaust air (reduces water loss and environmental impact). Function: Forces air to change direction, separating water droplets before they exit. Minimizes drift (water loss) and prevents chemical carryover. Efficiency: High-performance drift eliminators can reduce drift loss to 0.001% or less of circulating water. Material: PVC, PP, or sometimes stainless steel. Key Differences Feature Fills Drift Eliminator Primary Role Enhances heat transfer Prevents water loss (drift) Location Below water distribution system Near the air outlet Impact on Efficiency Improves cooling performance Reduces water & chemical loss Maintenance Need Prone to fouling/scaling Less maintenance but must stay clean |
