COOLING TOWERS

COOLING TOWERS used to remove heat from process water by evaporation and latent heat transfer between the hot water and air. It reduces the water temp up to 10 degree centigrade.

Components of cooling towers:

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Drift eliminators: capture droplets in air stream Air inlet: entry point of air Louvers: equalize air flow into the fill and retain water within tower Nozzles: spray water to wet the fill Fans: deliver air flow in the tower

Air distribution system of cooling tower: Air distribution system of cooling tower consists of the inlet louvers, plenum chamber, fan stack, and fan. The plenum chamber consist of a cooling tower is the area between the drift eliminator and fan.

TYPES:
Two types of cooling towers  Natural  Mechanical  Forced draft  Induced draft  Balanced

INDUCED DRAFT COOLING TOWERS:

Two induced draft cooling tower are used in the refinery. Efficiency = 70 to 80% An induced draft cooling towers pulls air into the tower using a fan located on the top of the structure this designed is further sub classifies into two categories.  Cross flow  Counter flow

Cross flow:
Cross flow tower introduce the air flow at right angle to the water flow throughout the structure

 

Air drawn across falling water Fill located outside tower

Counter flow:
In counter flow cooling tower, hot process water is pumped to the upper most plenum and allowed to fall through the water. The primary advantage of counter flow design in its tower.   Air drawn up through falling water Fill located inside tower

Measured Parameters:
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Wet bulb temperature of air = Dry bulb temperature of air = Cooling tower inlet water temperature =34-36 0C Cooling tower outlet water temperature =23-24 0C

Performance Parameters
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Range Approach Effectiveness Evaporation loss Cycles of concentration Blow down losses Liquid / Gas ratio

Range : Difference between cooling water inlet and outlet temperature: Range (C) = CW inlet temp CW outlet temp = 34 24 = 10 High range = good performance 0C

Approach Difference between cooling tower outlet cold water temperature and ambient wet bulb temperature:

Approach (C) = CW outlet temp Wet bulb temp Low approach = good performance Effectiveness Effectiveness in % = Range / (Range + Approach) = 100 x (CW temp CW out temp) / (CW in temp Wet bulb temp) High effectiveness = good performance

Cooling water supply:

Cooling water supplies in three different area of refinery.  Utilities  Process  Offsite areas Utilities: cooling water is used to cooling the oil in the bearing of all pumps and turbines instrument air compressor piston and instrument air cooling and after treat this water can recycle. Process: In process area, cooling water is used to cool the pump seal cooler, steam condenser, and product water-cooled exchangers. Offsite areas: In the off site area-cooling water is used to cool the oil in the bearing of all pump and turbines, steam condenser, air conditioner.

COOLING WATER PUMPS:

There are three cooling water pumps in refinery  Main cooling water pump  Cooling water motor driven pump  Cooling water turbine driven pump