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Cooling Towers, The Neglected Energy Resource
Abstract
Loving care is paid to the compressors,
condensers, and computer programs of
refrigeration and air conditioning systems. When
problems arise, operators and engineers run
around in circles with expensive "fixes" , but
historically ignore the poor orphan of the
system, the cooling tower perched on the roof or
located somewhere in the backyard. When
cooling water is too hot, high temperature
cut-outs occur and more energy must be
provided to the motors to maintain the
refrigeration cycle. Cooling towers: 1) are just as important a link in the chain as the other equipment; 2) are an important source of energy conservation; 3) can be big money makers; 4) operators should be aware of the potential of maximising cold water. Most towers were designed over 20 years ago
and were inefficiently engineered due to cheap
power and the "low bidder gets the sale"
syndrome. Operating energy costs were ignored
and purchasing criteria was to award the
contract to the lowest bidder. All too often the
low bidder - even though some of the most
respected firms were involved - cut thermal
corners for the sale.
This paper investigates the internal elements of
the typical types of cooling towers currently
used, delineates their functions and shows how
to upgrade them in the real world for energy
savings and profitability of operation. Hard
before and after statistics of costs and profits
obtained through optimization of colder water by
engineered thermal upgrading will be discussed.
Salient points will be reenforced with on-the-job,
hands-on, slides and illustrations.
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Citation
Burger, R. (1987). Cooling Towers, The Neglected Energy Resource. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.eslwin.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /92865.