Analysis of the Effect of Packing Materials (Fills) and Flow Rate on the Range and Efficiency of a Forced Draft Evaporative Cooling Tower

Abstract

In the present study, experimental investigation is carried out on two different kinds of packing materials (fills). PVC fills that are traditionally used in the industry are compared and analyzed against the cellulose-based paper fills. Different mass flow rates of air are used to study the effect of the flow rate of air on the forced draft cooling tower. The volume flow rate of water also varied, and the range of the cooling tower, along with efficiency, was analyzed. Along with these two parameters, the effect of inlet water temperature on the performance of the tower was studied. Cooling tower efficiency was plotted against different L/G ratios ranging from 0.95 to 7.67. Results showed that the type of packing has a significant impact on the cooling tower performance. Paper fills gave a maximum cooling tower efficiency and range equal to 93.12% and 16.5 °C, respectively. The optimal L/G ratio range of 0.96 to 1.44 was identified as the point at which the cooling tower demonstrated its highest performance. The effect of the mass flow rate of water on the performance of the tower was far greater compared to the volume flow rate of water and inlet water temperature. The paper fills are found to be most effective under current experimental conditions, and the same can be implemented in the industrial towers under a wide spectrum of inlet water temperatures, mass flow rates of air, and volume flow rates of water.