The recommended capacity of an RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) basin for a cooling tower depends on several factors, including:
- Cooling Tower Circulation Rate (m³/hr) – The basin should hold enough water to ensure smooth operation during pump cycling and transient conditions.
- Make-up Water Requirements – Accounts for evaporation, drift, and blowdown losses.
- Pump Suction Requirements – Ensures sufficient water to prevent vortexing and pump cavitation.
- Emergency Storage – For sudden shutdowns or power failures.
General Guidelines for RCC Basin Capacity:
- Minimum Holding Capacity:3–5 minutes of the total circulating water flow rate.
- Example: For a 1000 m³/hr flow rate → Basin capacity = (1000 m³/hr × 5 min) / 60 ≈ 83 m³
- For Larger Systems (Industrial Cooling Towers):
- 10–15 minutes of circulation flow (for redundancy and safety).
- Example: For 5000 m³/hr → (5000 × 10) / 60 ≈ 833 m³
- Additional Considerations:
- Extra depth (~0.3–0.5 m) for dead storage (sediment accumulation).
- Freeboard (~0.15–0.3 m) above max water level to prevent overflow.
Design Recommendations:
- Basin Depth: Typically 1.5–2.5 m (to ensure proper pump suction).
- Material: RCC with waterproofing (epoxy coating or lining to prevent leakage).
- Shape: Rectangular or circular (based on space constraints).