SPX Cooling Technologies 800 Hot Water Distribution System, Fill, Drift Eliminators, Operation

Operation

When changing fan direction of rotation, allow a minimum of two minutes time delay before energizing the fan motor.

Hot Water Distribution System

Hot water from the process flows through an inlet to each cell, which sup- plies a distribution header and a system of branch arms and nozzles. Each distribution header may be equipped with a vent standpipe to minimize water hammer, to maintain a slightly pressurized water distribution system, and to provide vacuum release at pump shutdown.

▲Caution

If an Amertap condenser tube cleaning system is part of plant equip- ment, care should be taken during operation to back-wash the strainer section only after the sponge rubber cleaning balls are removed from the system by trapping them in the collector. Balls that are allowed to enter the cooling tower supply piping may clog some of the nozzles, although the generous flow paths through the nozzles make this un- likely. However, balls escaping the nozzles will accumulate on top of the fill, ultimately causing unequal water distribution that will affect thermal performance. The top of the fill should be frequently checked until such time as the operational sequence of the Amertap system assures that no balls enter the cooling tower distribution system.

Fill

Water leaving the nozzles is scattered uniformly over the fill plan area. The water flows through the fill, coating each fill sheet to maximize water surface exposure to the air being moved by the fans.

Drift Eliminators

Air leaving the fill passes through a level of drift eliminators covering the entire plan area of the tower. The purpose of these drift eliminators is to minimize the amount of water that is caused to exit the tower by the velocity of the moving airstream.

Cold Water Collection Basin

Water leaving the fill falls into the cold water basin that forms the base of the tower. The normal water level in the concrete basin is approximately 12” (305 mm) below the top of the curb. Adjust the make-up water supply to maintain approximately this water level. Maintain sufficient water depth to prevent cavitation.

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