Abstract

TERBLANCHE, J.E.  and  KROGER, D.G.. Experimental evaluation of the aerodynamic inlet losses in cooling towers. R&D j. (Matieland, Online) [online]. 1994, vol.10, pp.41-44. ISSN 2309-8988.

The aerodynamic losses experienced at the inlets of cylindrical and rectangular cooling towers are investigated experimentally for different heat exchanger or fill characteristics. The separation of the air flow along the inlet edge of the cooling tower is not only the cause of these losses but it also distorts the velocity profile through the heat exchanger or fill and thereby reduces the effective heat or mass transfer of the cooling system. Empirical equations for evaluating the inlet losses are presented and an indication is given of the extent to which the velocity distribution is distorted. It is shown that in certain cases the loss can be significantly reduced by rounding off the inlet to the tower.

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