A simplified method on thermal performance capacity evaluation of counter flow cooling tower

The thermal performance capacity of a wet cooling tower is dominated by weather conditions, particularly ambient wet-bulb temperature. In this paper, the tower performance was predicted by a simplified model which was characterized by specification of a mass evaporation rate equation. The purpose of this study was to present a calculation that was accurate and simple to implement, and could be applied to evaluate acceptance tests for new towers, to monitor changes in tower performance as an aid in planning maintenance, and to predict tower performance under changed operating conditions. The results were validated and showed good agreement with experimental measurements. The results were also presented in simple formats that were easy to use and understand. These allowed reduction of test data and comparison of test results to design data. The method held a practical advantage for predicted tower thermal performance capability to which it was best suited when both flow rate and temperature of inlet water were near design conditions since it required neither the measurement of air flow rate nor the calculation of tower characteristic (h(mass)A/L). The expected results of this study will make it possible to incorporate cooling tower design and simulation to evaluate and optimize the thermal performance of power plants for example. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.