| Square/Box-Type Cooling Towers: Design, Features & Applications Square (or rectangular/box-type) cooling towers are a common mechanical draft design used in industrial and HVAC applications. Unlike bottle-shaped hyperbolic towers, these are typically forced or induced draft systems with fans for airflow control. Key Features of Square Cooling Towers 1. Design & Structure Shape: Square or rectangular (modular, stackable design).Material:Casing: Galvanized steel, stainless steel, or FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic).Fill Media: PVC, PP, or high-temperature materials.Mechanical Draft System: Uses axial or centrifugal fans (forced or induced draft).Modularity: Can be expanded by adding more cells. 2. Working Principle Forced Draft (FD): Fan at the base pushes air upward (louder but more efficient).Induced Draft (ID): Fan at the top pulls air through the tower (quieter, more common).Crossflow or Counterflow:Crossflow: Air moves horizontally, water falls vertically (easier maintenance).Counterflow: Air moves upward against falling water (higher efficiency). 3. Advantages ◉ Compact & Space-Efficient – Fits well in industrial plants with limited space. ◉ Modular & Scalable – Multiple units can be combined for higher capacity. ◉ Better Control – Adjustable fan speed for varying loads. ◉ Lower Initial Cost – Cheaper than natural draft towers. ◉ Easier Maintenance – Accessible components (fans, fill, drift eliminators). 4. Disadvantages ◉ Higher Energy Use – Requires fan power (unlike natural draft towers). ◉ Noise – Fan operation can be loud (requires silencers in urban areas). ◉ Shorter Lifespan – Metal parts may corrode faster than concrete structures. Applications of Square Cooling Towers HVAC Systems (commercial buildings, data centres).Industrial Processes (chemical plants, refineries, food processing).Power Plants (Small-Medium Capacity) – Where space is limited.Water-Cooled Chillers – Common in district cooling systems. Comparison with Bottle-Shaped Cooling Towers Feature Square (Mechanical Draft) Bottle (Natural Draft) Airflow Mechanism Fan-driven (forced/induced) Natural convection Energy Use High (fan-dependent) Very low (no fans) Footprint Compact, modular Large, fixed structure Maintenance Moderate (fan & fill cleaning) Low (no moving parts) Cooling Capacity Medium (scalable) Very high (500+ MW) Cost Lower initial cost Very high (concrete construction) |
