f

PERFORMANCE OF A W A
TER
-- COOLING T O W E R

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EXPERIM
ENT -4
WATER C
OBJECTI OOLING
VE: TOWER

S tu dy o f
th e h e a t
th e rm o dy n & m a s s tr
a m ic c o n d a n sf e r m
it io n s . W a te r C o
o li n g T o w
e r for dif
ferent flow &

•
To measu
re T o w e r
C h a ra c te ri
ra te s (L /G st ic p a ra m
) in a c o u n e te r (K a V /L
te r- c u rr e n ) fo r v ario
• To de t F o rc e d d ra u~ li q u id a
te rm in e th ft C o o li n g nd air fl o w
e e ff e c t o f T o w e r.
c o e ff ic ie n L /G o n (K a
t K a fo r v a V /L) a n d
ri o u s v a lu e st im a te th
e s o f L /G e v a lu e s o
f m a ss tran
L'l'T R O D U sfer
CTION:

_\V,- a-te r fr o m c o n d e n s e rs
.-
s p ra y p o n and heat e
d s o r in C x c h a n g e rs
o o li n g T o is u su a ll y
d ra ft to w e w e rs u s in g c o o le d b y
rs a re o f th n a tu ra l dra a n air stre
e fo rc e d d ft o r fo rc e d am in ,
b o tt o m . T ra ft ty p e , w fl o w o f th
h e fo rc e d h e re th e air e air. M e c
d ra ft m a te is b lo w n in h a n ic a l
ri a ll y re d u to th e tow
c e s th e e ff e r b y a fa n
e c ti v e n e ss at th e
o f th e cooli
ng.
------
--Wa
t e r in (L
, Ts)

-+-----
-Packi
ng
C o o li n g T
ower

A ir in (G ,
T i, T1, h1) 1
Water Ou
t (L, T6)

\
. . -·- ____.. ··- · ·· .
·----- - - - - -
-- - ·--- .........- -
l'lll
 JlltOR\';

Water mav· l'C cooled b)• the ·

_ air as Iong as its
· temperature .
1s above the wet bulb temperature
ot the enteri""
·-c,
air •
Markel'
•
Tl · · d I · ·
s 1eo1 Y 1s use w 11ch 1s based on enthalpy potential difference as
the dri\'itw force Ea I1 · Ie o f . assumed to be sunounded
-o · c part1c water 1s by a film of air and the
h
ent alpy difference between the film and the surrounding air provides the driving force for
the cooling. process. ln the integrated
form Markel 's equation can be written as:

KaV T, dT
L = J. h ,_

Tower characteristic can be evaluated numerically by:

KaV _ T.f, dT _ (T5 -T6 ) 1 I I 1

L - - (-+-+-+-)
1~_hw - h. 4 ( 6h 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4

-
h,r '
l value of hw at temp= T6 + 0.1 (Ts -T6)
-·,
h..i,, value ofhwat temp =-T6 + 0.4 (Ts -T6)

h,i. value ofhwat temp= Ts - 0.4 (Ts -T6)

'
hw. value ofhwat temp= Ts - 0.1 (Ts -T6)

h,,,
_., ~·- b~_, + 0.1 (L~GHTs -T6)
,
ha,
"'-,
------
h1 + 0.4 (L/G) (Ts - T6)

ha, h2 - 0.4 (L/G) (Ts - T6)

ha, h2 - 0.1 (L/G) (Ts -T6)

And Lili; h.i,I - ha,

The carrying of liquid with the gas stream is tem1ed as Liquid Entraintpent. This
may be due to a high rate of air flow. This should be avoided to get better performance. This
can be avoided by following the Operational limits of the equipment.

DESCRIPTION:

The apparatus is provided for the process of Forced draft countercurrent cooling of
hot water using air. The water to be cooled is heated in a heating tank using a heater. It is then
circulated; through a rotameter; to the top of the cooling tower mounted over the heating
tank. Cooled water is then re-circulated to the heating tank. A blower is provided for the :)
cooling air. A valve is provided in airline to regulate the flow rate of air. There is an orifice
meter/ pitot tube mounted with its taps connected to a manometer to find the flow rate of air.
 -
I
A set of two temperature sensors is provided at both inlet and outlet of air stream. These
sensors gives Drv. bulb & wet bulb air· temperatures. The cooling tower is packed with
Alwninium expanded wire mesh.

Description of temperature sensor:

T1 inlet dry bulb temp air.
T2 == inlet wet bulb temp air.
T3

,
outlet dry bulb temp air.
T4 == outlet wet bulb temp air.

('-,➔
Ts == inlet water temp.
T6 outlet water temp.
-1
UTILITIES REQUIRED:
\
Water Supply.
Drain.
Electricity Supply: I Phase, 220 V AC, and 3 kW.
Floor area of ! .2 m x Im.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
I. Fill the heating tank with water, set the temperature with the help of D.T.C. and
switch on heater.
2. Switch on pump & blower after d~sired temperature achieved.
3. Set the flow rate of water and air.
4. Record the flow rate of water and manometer reading after steady state achieved.
5. Record the temperatures.
6. Steps 3 to 5 may be repeated for different water & air flow rates within operational
range.

Operational Parameter Range:

Liquid rate: L = 5 to 20 LPH.

Air rate: G = 10 to 88 mm ofmanometric difference

L/G: 0.75 to 1.5

(With water as manometric fluid)
.)
 •
I t!)

SPECrFICA TION:

Tower Material Stainless Steel, Size - Cross-Section 6"x 6",

Height 30"

Packing Expanded wire, mesh made of Aluminium.

Air Flow Measurement Orifice meter/ Pitot tube connected to U-tube
manometer.
Water Flow Measurement Rotameter.
Hot Water Tank Material Stainless Steel, Double wall, insulated with
ceramic wool
Hot water circulation Magnetic Pump made of Polypropylene to Circulate
Hot water. Maximum working temperature is 85°C.
Heater l.SkW
Temperature sensors 7Nos.
Dry & Wet Bulb Temp Measurement: RTD PT-100 type Sensors
Control panel comprising of:
Digital Temperature Controller: Range: 0-200°C. (for hot water tank)
Digital Temperature Indicator: Range: 0-200°C, with multi-channel switch.
With Standard make On/Off switch, Mains Indicator & fuse etc.
A good quality painted rigid MS Structure is provided to support all the parts.

FORMULAE:

Head futerms of air, Ll~ (

100
~ (Pwater
Pair
-1)
-
Flow rate of air, Qo a1a2
/ 2 2
C
d
.J2gAHr·
-va2 _-a1

:.Mass flow rate of air~ m Pair Qo

Mas~ pow rate of dry air, G = [m I (I+Y 1)] / cross-sectional~~a of column
::: ·- --~
Rate of humidification mass flow rate of dry air x (Y2-Y 1) kg moisture / sec
 c_rJ

10. OBSERVA TION & CALCULAT ION:

Orifice dia., d 1 34mm

Cross section area of Orifice, a 1 9.1 X 10-4 m2

68mm

Orifice constant, C0 0.6

3
Pwatcr ---- kg/m

3
Pair ---- kg I m

g 9.81 m/s 2.

Cross section Area of Chamber, A 0.0232 m2

Height of Packing 0.75 m

From the Psychometric Chart for air-water vapor at 1 atrn. pressure determine the
following corresponding to dry bulb and wet bulb temperature of the entering and leaving air:
, .. ,.
f ~· ...... ( .. , \
, , , /
Y1, (corresponding to T1 and T2) i't.) ~., ~ c..,.I ~

h1 (corresponding to.T5)
t" ___...,5
c .,, fh_f>--- f- V

Y2, (corresponding to T3 and T4)

h2 (corresponding to T6)

OBSERVATION TABLE:

Air Temperature (0 C)
t. I
R
(in m)
h1 h2
Flow rate
of water
L (LPH)
Water temp.

Inlet
{°CJ
Outlet · Dry bulb
Inlet
Wet bulb Dry bulb
Outlet
Wet bulb

1
2
3
 •
i CV
CALC\ ILATION!

Calculate flow rate of air Q 0 and Mass flow rate of air m

For flow of compressible fluid, mass flow rate is to be multiplied by an Expansion factory.
For the pressure ratio nearly equal to one, y = 1
2
Mass flow rate of dry air, G [m / (l+Y,)] / A kg dry air /h- m

Rate of humidification mass flow rate of dry air x (Y2- Y 1) kg moisture I sec

UG ratio is calculated from the L & G calculated as above.

The values ha are found at different temperatures as below:

T ,°C ha , KJ/Kg of dry air

T6 - ha=h1
.. .I

T6 + 0.l(Ts-T6) ha=h1+0.l(L/G) (Ts-T6)

T6 + 0.4(Ts-T6) ha=h1+0.4(L/G) (Ts-T6)

Ts - 0.4(Ts-T6) ha=h2-0.4(L/G) (Ts-T6)

I

Ts- 0.l(Ts-T6) J ha=h2-0.l(L/G) (Ts-T6)

Ts ha= h2 = 51.223 7

hw data is evaluated at the specified temperatures from the psychometric chart to calculate

Afl/s. Now according to Markel's Theory; the cooling tower characteristic KaV/L 1s
calculated as below:

KaV r, dT
-L- = I,-h.,---h-
0
 (_ y J --- -·- .

NOMENCLATURE:

a Contact area, m2 /m3 of tower volume

A Cross section Area of Chamber m2
'
a1 Cross Section area of Orifice, m2
a2 Cross Section area of pipe, m2
Co Orifice constant
d1 Diameter of Orifice, m
d2 Diameter of the pipe in which Orificemeter is installed, m
g Acceleration due to gravity, m/s 2
G Mass flow rate of air, Kg dry air/s.m2
G' Mass flow rate of air, Kg air/s
h enthalpy of air stream, kJ/kg
h' enthalpy of saturated air, kJ/kg
ha enthalpy of air-water vapour mixture at its wet bulb temp., kJ/kg of dry air.

hw enthalpy of air-water vapour mixture at bulk water temp. , kJ/kg of dry air

K mass transfer co-eff., kg of water /h - m2

KaV/L= tower characteristic parameter

L flow rate of water, kg of water /h - m2

2
m Mass flow rate of air, Kg air/s.m

R = Orifice manometer reading (for air flow), m

T1 Air inlet dry-bulb temperature, °C

T2 = Air inlet wet-bulb temperature, °C

= Air outlet dry-bulb temperature, °C

T3
= Air outlet wet-bulb temperature, °C
T4
Ts = Water inlet temperature, °C

= Water outlet temperature, °C

T6
3 2
V = active cooling volume m /m of plan area

Vo = Velocity of air at Orifice, mis

= Percentage saturation at inlet, kg moisture/kg air
Y1
= Percentage saturation at outlet, kg moisture/kg air
Y2
= Coefficient of contraction for Orificemeter.
~
3
= Density of manometer fluid (water), Kg/m
Pwatcr
3
= Density of the fluid whose flow rate is to be measured (air), Kg!m
Pair
 l f A 1

PRECAUTIONS & MAINTENANCE1 INST RUCTIONS:

.
1. Heate r should not be switch d on before fillmg
e the water in heating tank.
2. Pump should not be switched on at low voltage.
3. Water in heatin g tank sl1ou Id be properly drained after experiment is over.
4. Cotto n jacket over the w et bu lb arrangement should be in its place properly.
ment.
5. Wet bulb bottle should be filled with water before starting the experi

TROUBLESHOOTING:

the apparatus should be

In case of any proble m regarding operation of the apparatus;
quickly switch ed off and electric supply should be cut off.

Electrical:
is loose or there is no
1. Electric Shock: It means that either earth wire inside the panel
d. So, make it sure that
earth provid ed in the socket to which the equipment is plugge
the equipm ent is earthed properly.
tions are loose. Locate the
2. Display of '1' on D.T.C/D.T.I .. : It means sensors connec
point of loose conne ction and solder it properly.
is some loose
3. No rise in temperature despite heater is ON: It means there
it or tight it, whatever is
conne ction. Check out for the same and then either solder

applic able.

General:
ned part is tightened
Leakage: Toe point of leakage should be detected & the concer
ed & Teflon tape is
proper ly. If the proble m still persists then the part is remov
lly.
wrapp ed on the threads properly & the part is then refitted carefu

REFERENCES:
Handbook", 5th ed.,
1. Perry, R.H., Chilton, C.H. (eds.): "The Chemical Engineers'
p.12/1 3-12/1 5, McGraw-Hill, NY, 1977.
rd
-261, McGraw-Hill NY '
PT b 1 RH . "Mass -Tran sfer Opera tions" , 3 ed., pp.259 '
2. rey a, • ··
1981.