1. 1
Mechanical Components
-COLD WATER BASIN:
Figure 2-1
One of the most critical cooling tower components is the cold water basin, which
collects water and directs it to the sump or pump suction line.
The aim of a cold water basin is to eliminate stagnant water and prevent bacteria
from growing.
They might even have heaters to keep the water from freezing in the event of a
power outage.
-FILLS:
Figure 2-2
2. 2
Another important component of cooling tower parts is fill material or fill media.
This component is, in some ways, the most critical since it determines the
cooling tower's efficiency.
The rate of heat transfer between the cooling and working media is increased
when the contact surface between them is greater. In cooling towers, the main
purpose of fills is to raise the contact surface as much as possible.
Fill media can be either of the film style type or splash style type. The film style
fills, which is used in most cooling towers, produce thick water strips that
increase the rate of heat transfer and also larger evaporation rates. splash style
fills are commonly used in crossflow cooling towers in which water cascades
down on staggered slats that breaks up water droplets to increase the water
surface area.
- Hot Water Distribution Basin:
Figure 2-3
The (hot water) distribution basin is above the fills, which is where the hot
process water collects. They cannot provide a proper flow distribution down the
nozzles to be sprayed over the fills due to corrosion and degradation over time,
resulting in considerable loss of thermal efficiency, and as a result, they are
replaced to prevent such downfalls in the system's performance.
3. 3
-NOZZLES:
Figure 2-4
The nozzles are one of the cooling tower components that can be used in
crossflow cooling towers. Water is lifted to the distribution basins and then
cascaded back over the fill through the nozzles on the hot water basin floor in
crossflow cooling towers.
- Cooling Tower Float Valve:
Figure2-5
4. 4
Water within the tower must be kept at the correct level in order for it to function
properly. Float valves, while needing only minor maintenance over time, have
become one of the most important cooling tower components.
Float valves regulate the water level and, when correctly calibrated, ensure that
no water is lost when the pump shuts down in an overflow.
- Drift Eliminators:
Figure2-6
The drift eliminator is another important cooling tower component. This device's
aim is to catch large water droplets in the cooling tower air stream and reduce
process water loss.
The eliminator directs moisture and water droplets away from the cooling tower
and into another part of the system, stopping them from leaving. After that, the
air and water will be separated and recycled for other purposes.
Apart from the importance of preventing process water loss, the removal of these
large water droplets is motivated by the fact that they contain chemicals and
minerals that are considered harmful to the environment.
5. 5
- Water Distribution Piping:
Figure 2-7
Another critical cooling tower component is the water distribution piping
system. Despite the fact that heat generation points are often located near
cooling towers, the piping system routing and physical dimensions are
determined by the type of tower, site configuration, and topography of the region
in which the site is located.
-COOLING TOWER FANS:
Figure 2-8
6. 6
A draft is generated by natural draft cooling towers without the use of any
mechanical components. Fans are, however, an important component of
mechanical draft, crossflow, and counterflow cooling towers.
One of the factors to remember when it comes to fans is noise. Despite the fact
that they are commonly known to be very noisy, some designs are available with
lower noise levels while still being durable.
-GEAR BOX:
Figure 2-9
Towers with large fans for generating a draft often have gearboxes for changing
the power exerted by the motor on the fan's driveshaft.
The gearbox is one of the cooling tower components that reduces the expense of
the mechanical system by not only changing the rotational speed of the pump but
also serving as a torque multiplier, reducing the size of the motor required.
7. 7
- Driveshafts:
Figure 2-10
The driveshafts transmit the power produced by the motor to the gearbox,
making it one of the cooling tower's most important components.
It should be remembered that since the shaft is in direct contact with the cooling
tower's internal environment, highly corrosion-resistant materials must be used
in their manufacture.
In the event of shaft run out, the driveshafts should be able to be easily
recalibrated.