To create an efficient and functioning cooling tower, there are many elements that must be combined. In order to maintain the cooling tower's efficiency, many of these components will need repair or replacement. We will take a closer look at the cooling tower's components, such as the fill media, gearboxes and fans.
To support cooling tower fan speeds and strengths, gearboxes come in many different styles and reduction rates. Most cooling tower manufacturers allow customers to buy new gearboxes. They also have skilled professionals who can repair or replace a gearbox using original equipment manufactured (OEM). Amarillo Gear Service only uses OEM parts and all American manufactured parts to restore gearboxes.
Cooling tower elements require fill media. Modern cooling towers use fill media made of plastic to maximize water evaporation. The fill is used to disperse water through it, and then the film flattens into a thin film that has a large surface area. This allows excess heat and moisture to quickly evaporate.
TSS (Total Suspended solids) levels, intended usage, water composition and vulnerability to contamination are the key components in selecting fill media. Film-style fill media distributes water over a flat surface, while splash-style breaks down moisture. Other types of materials that can be used to make cooling towers are counter flow and cross flow.
Drift reducers, which are critical parts of cooling towers, work to remove water droplets from the air and then recycle the moisture for use in operational processes. The Drift Reducers work by forcing moist air to flow in a different direction, then separating it from the air and redirecting it towards another area of the cooling tower.
Cross flow cooling towers use gravity to distribute water. Most commonly, nozzles can be found in these types of cooling towers. These systems use water to lift up to the top of the fill media. The water is then pulled through the reservoirs by gravity through nozzles at the bottom.
The fans are used to push air through a cooling tower. Fans must be strong enough to withstand the harsh environment in which they are used. Although they are noisy, there are quieter cooling fan options. These cooling towers can be found in counter flow and cross flow. Fans are not needed for natural air flow cooling towers, which use water cooling techniques and natural drafts.
The driveshafts of cooling tower engines are designed to transfer energy from the outflow shaft of the cooling tower engine into the intake shaft. This creates a rotation force that turns fan blades. You can find driveshafts in lengths that range from 2 feet in AC towers, to over 20 feet in industrial towers. Because of the corrosive environment they work in, driveshafts must be rust-proof.
Inlet or air intake louvers stop the sun's rays reaching the water reservoir. This prevents mold and algae formation and lowers chemical costs. The reservoir is also protected from water splashing out by the air intake louvers. This reduces the need for chemicals and water, and makes it easier to access the reservoir. If they aren't properly maintained and cleaned, counterflow air intake louvers can develop scales. This can reduce air flow and cause problems in the overall system.