U.S. patent application number 14/919960 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for cooling tower splash fill.
The applicant listed for this patent is Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Andrew Aaron, Kevin Deliman, Trevor Fontes, Yoon Shin, Andrew Sickler.
Application Number | 20170115077 14/919960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57208114 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170115077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shin; Yoon ; et al. |
April 27, 2017 |
COOLING TOWER SPLASH FILL
Abstract
A splash fill arrangement for use in a direct heat exchange
section of a cooling tower is provided. Each splash fill
arrangement includes support plates and elongated bars extending
there between, which arrangement improves the performance of the
splash fill arrangement when installed as a direct heat exchange
section of a cooling tower. Certain of the elongated bars between
the support plates are angled from the horizontal to improve the
air flow capabilities and performance of the direct heat exchange
section.
Inventors: |
Shin; Yoon; (Ellicott City,
MD) ; Sickler; Andrew; (Bradenton, FL) ;
Deliman; Kevin; (Pittsburgh, PA) ; Fontes;
Trevor; (Jessup, MD) ; Aaron; David Andrew;
(Reisterstown, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc. |
Jessup |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57208114 |
Appl. No.: |
14/919960 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28C 1/06 20130101; F28F
25/082 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 25/08 20060101
F28F025/08; F28C 1/06 20060101 F28C001/06 |
Claims
1. A splash fill arrangement for use in a direct heat exchanger,
comprising a support plate and a plurality of elongated bars, the
support plate including a plurality of openings, each support plate
opening adapted to receive an elongated bar, at least one of the
elongated bars set at an angle from the horizontal of between 5 and
degrees.
2. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the elongated bars has a generally smooth edged rectangular cross
section.
3. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the elongated bars has a generally smooth edged rectangular cross
section with at least one raised ridge along a lower surface of the
elongated bar.
4. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the elongated bars has a generally smooth edged rectangular cross
section with a top surface thereof generally raised from the
horizontal and a bottom surface thereof indented from the
horizontal.
5. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a
second plurality of elongated bars located beneath the plurality of
elongated bars and wherein at least one of the second plurality of
elongated bars is set an angle of about 0 degrees from the
horizontal.
6. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a
second plurality of elongated bars, the second plurality of
elongated bars positioned adjacent an air inlet of the direct heat
exchanger and wherein at least one of the second plurality of
elongated bars is set at an upward angle from the horizontal of
between 5 and 45 degrees, and a third plurality of elongated bars,
the third plurality of elongated bars positioned adjacent an air
outlet of the direct heat exchanger and wherein at least one of the
third plurality of elongated bars is set at a downward angle from
the horizontal of between and 50 degrees.
7. The splash fill arrangement of claim 1 further comprising
vertical gaps between elongated bars wherein the gaps are generally
smallest near the top of support plate and gradually increase
toward the bottom of plate.
8. A splash fill arrangement for use in a direct heat exchanger,
comprising a support plate and a first plurality of elongated bars,
the support plate including a plurality of openings, each support
plate opening adapted to receive an elongated bar from the first
plurality of elongated bars, a second plurality of elongated bars,
each support plate opening adapted to receive an elongated bar from
the second plurality of elongated bars. at least one of the first
plurality of elongated bars set at an angle from the horizontal of
between 5 and 45 degrees, at least one of the second plurality of
elongated bars set at an angle of about 0 degrees from the
horizontal, and wherein the second plurality of elongated bars is
located generally between the first plurality of elongated
bars.
9. The splash fill arrangement of claim 7 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section.
10. The splash fill arrangement of claim 7 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section with at least one raised ridge along a
lower surface of the elongated bar.
10. The splash fill arrangement of claim 7 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section with a top surface thereof generally
raised from the horizontal and a bottom surface thereof indented
from the horizontal.
11. A splash fill arrangement for use in a direct heat exchanger,
comprising a support plate and a first plurality of elongated bars,
the support plate including a plurality of openings, each support
plate opening adapted to receive an elongated bar from the first
plurality of elongated bars, a second plurality of elongated bars,
the second plurality of elongated bars positioned adjacent an air
inlet of the direct heat exchanger and wherein at least one of the
second plurality of elongated bars is set at an upward angle from
the horizontal of between 5 and 45 degrees, and a third plurality
of elongated bars, the third plurality of elongated bars positioned
adjacent an air outlet of the direct heat exchanger and wherein at
least one of the third plurality of elongated bars is set at a
downward angle from the horizontal of between and 50 degrees.
12. The splash fill arrangement of claim 11 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section.
13. The splash fill arrangement of claim 11 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section with at least one raised ridge along a
lower surface of the elongated bar.
14. The splash fill arrangement of claim 11 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross section with a top surface thereof generally
raised from the horizontal and a bottom surface thereof indented
from the horizontal.
15. The splash fill arrangement of claim 11 further comprising
vertical gaps between elongated bars wherein the gaps are generally
smallest near the top of support plate and gradually increase
toward the bottom of plate.
16. The splash fill arrangement of claim 11 wherein at least one of
the first plurality of elongated bars has an opening in a lower
surface of the elongated bar.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat and mass transfer
media, or a splash fill arrangement, utilized within the direct
heat exchange portion of a cooling tower. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a splash fill arrangement for use in a
direct heat exchange unit, which could be a cooling tower.
[0002] The heat and mass transfer media, or splash fill
arrangement, is generally horizontally oriented with an evaporative
liquid, usually water, coursing over the arrangement, usually
flowing downwardly, with an air stream directed usually
transversely but potentially concurrent or cross current through
the splash fill arrangement comprising a direct cooling section.
The air interacts with the evaporative liquid for heat and mass
transfer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The heat and mass transfer media, or splash fill
arrangement, of the present invention enhances the thermal
efficiency of the direct heat exchanger by providing an arrangement
of splash fill components over which air and an evaporative liquid,
usually water, pass. The arrangement of splash fill components is
comprised of two or more support plates, between which a plurality
of elongated bars extend. The elongated bars are positioned at
predetermined locations and angles to provide an improved direct
heat exchanger. The improved performance of the direct heat
exchanger is related to the shape, positioning and angle placement
of the elongated bars. By placing the elongated bars of the various
preferred shapes at such preferred locations and angles, improved
flow of the evaporative liquid, usually water, over the elongated
bars occurs. Improved flow of the evaporative liquid includes
improved drop formation and flow direction when the evaporative
liquid drops leave the elongated bars. Such improved drop formation
is combined with improved air flow between and across the elongated
bars. This combination of improved drop formation and improved air
flow leads to improved heat transfer in the direct heat
exchanger.
[0004] When the evaporative liquid passes generally downwardly over
the elongated bars of the splash fill arrangement, portions of the
evaporative liquid spills from certain of the elongated bars, wraps
around certain of the elongated bars and then falls from the bars
or both. The cooling air which is usually drawn across the
elongated bars by a fan causes some of the evaporative liquid to
evaporate and thusly result in mass and heat transfer.
[0005] The cross sectional shape of the splash fill component
elongated bar can be of various types, but usually includes rounded
corners to allow the evaporative liquid to both flow across
portions of and in some embodiments wrap around the cross section
of the elongated bar. Such flow improves the heat transfer from the
evaporative liquid and the air passing through the splash fill
arrangement.
[0006] The splash fill elongated bars are usually angled downwardly
from 5 to 45 degrees from the horizontal toward the air inlet side
of the splash fill arrangement. This angled orientation of the
elongated bars assists in exposing more of the evaporative liquid
flowing across the bars to the air moving across the splash fill
arrangement, without unduly impeding the air flow. In certain
embodiments of the splash fill arrangement of the present
invention, most arrays of elongated bars will be angled downwardly
from 5 to 45 degrees from the horizontal, while an intermittent
array of elongated bars will not be so angled, but rather be at a
horizontal orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings,
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of a splash fill
arrangement in a cooling tower in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective side view of a portion of a
splash fill arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a splash fill
arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a splash fill
arrangement in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention, and
[0012] FIG. 5 includes schematic views of cross sections of
elongated bars of a splash fill arrangement in accordance with
three embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a cooling tower is
shown at 10. Cooling tower includes motor 16 which drives fan 12.
Fan 12 causes an air flow inwardly from the sides of cooling tower
10 and accordingly across inlet louvers 18 and exiting upwardly out
through the cowling around fan 12. Other air flow directions and
fan arrangements such as coaxial side draw fans that result in air
flow across or across and upwardly through splash fill arrangement
20 are part of the present invention. Cooling tower 10 is a direct
heat exchanger, as an evaporative liquid, usually water, flows
downwardly from water spray nozzles or openings 14. Such nozzles or
openings are placed in a water distribution line. Splash fill
arrangement 20 is seen to comprise a generally rectangular support
plate 24. Support plate 24 can be comprised of structural plastic
such as PVC, or aluminum or galvanized steel or stainless steel.
Support plate 24 includes a plurality of openings to receive and
support elongated bars 22. Although only a single support plate is
shown and described, it should be understood that two or more
support plates would usually be utilized in a cooling tower splash
fill arrangement. The openings in support plate 24 are sized to
correspond to the cross section of elongated bars 22 to
appropriately support elongated bars in cooling tower 10. Elongated
bars 22 themselves may be comprised of structural plastic such as
PVC, or aluminum or galvanized steel or stainless steel. Support
plate 24 is shown to be of a generally rectangular and generally
planar structure; however, it should be understood that based on
design of installation needs support plate 24 may be of a square or
trapezoidal structure as well. When installed splash fill
arrangement 20 is installed in a direct heat exchange unit, usually
as a component of a cooling tower, an evaporative liquid, usually
water, flows downwardly onto a top portion of splash fill
arrangement 20 and exits from a bottom portion thereof. Inlet
louvers 18 help prevent water from exiting cooling tower 10 in a
sideways direction without passing through the entire splash fill
arrangement 20. First side edge of cooling tower 10 with inlet
louvers 18 is typically an air inlet edge wherein air is forced or
drawn cross-current to the evaporative liquid downward flow to exit
from second side edge 19. Such combination of evaporative liquid
down flow and cross-current air flow acts to remove heat from the
evaporative liquid by both a heat and mass transfer operation. It
should be understood that air flow may be somewhat counter current
or con-concurrent with the evaporative liquid downward flow,
depending on the design of the direct heat exchange unit and the
fan placement.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a splash fill
arrangement is shown as comprising support plate 30 and elongated
bars 32. The composition of support plate 30 and elongated bars 32
are as set forth above. However, elongated bars 32 are shown to be
installed in support plate 30 at an angle to the horizontal. Such
angle is preferably between 5 and 45 degrees. Such angled
installation of elongated bars 32 is designed to improve the heat
exchanging performance of the direct heat exchange system into
which the splash fill arrangement is installed. Air flow is
depicted as from left to right in FIG. 2 as shown by the arrow.
Water flow is generally downward. This angled orientation of
elongated bars 32 assists in exposing more of the evaporative
liquid flowing across elongated bars 32 to the air moving across
the splash fill arrangement, without unduly impeding the air
flow.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a splash
fill arrangement is shown as comprising support plate 40 and arrays
of angled elongated bars 44 and array of horizontal elongated bars
46. Support plate 40 itself is seen to be hung or otherwise
supported by support bars 42 which can be comprised of structural
plastic, or aluminum or galvanized steel or stainless steel. The
composition of support plate 40 and elongated bars 44 and 46 are as
set forth above. However, elongated bars 44 in the upper array are
shown to be installed in support plate 40 at an angle to the
horizontal. Such angle is preferably between 5 and 45 degrees.
Horizontal elongated bars 46 between the arrays of elongated bars
44 are seen to be installed at a zero degree angle to the
horizontal. Such combined angled and horizontal installation of
elongated bars 44 and 46, respectively, is designed to improve the
heat exchanging performance of the direct heat exchange system into
which the splash fill arrangement is installed.
[0016] Air flow is depicted as from left to right in FIG. 3 as
shown by the arrow. Water flow is generally downward. This angled
orientation of elongated bars 44 assists in exposing more of the
evaporative liquid flowing across elongated bars 44 to the air
moving across the splash fill arrangement, without unduly impeding
the air flow. The horizontal orientation of elongated bars assists
in directing the airflow in generally horizontal direction.
[0017] The vertical gap 43 between elongated bars 44 and 46 varies
such that the size of gap 43 near top edge 47 of support plate 40
is smallest and gradually increases toward the bottom edge 48. The
gradual increase in the vertical gap 43 between elongated bars 44
and 46 helps to counteract the difference in air pull pressure
along the outlet side 59 by the fan 12 that is generally located
near the corner of top edge 47 and outlet side 59.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 4, a third embodiment of a splash fill
arrangement is shown as comprising support plate 50 and an inlet
array of elongated bars 54, a central array of elongated bars 52
and an outlet array of elongated bars 56. The composition of
support plate 50 and elongated bars 52, 54 and 56 are as set forth
above. However, elongated bars 54 in the inlet array are shown to
be installed in support plate 50 at an upward angle to the
horizontal. Such angle is preferably between 5 and 45 degrees. Such
angled installation of elongated bars 54 is designed to improve the
heat exchanging performance of the direct heat exchange system into
which the splash fill arrangement is installed by assisting in
keeping more of the generally downward flowing water from exiting
the splash fill arrangement through inlet side 57. Elongated bars
52 in the center array are seen to be installed at a downward
degree angle to the horizontal. Such angle is preferably between 5
and 45 degrees. Elongated bars 56 in the outlet array are shown to
be installed in support plate 50 at an increased downward angle to
the horizontal. Such angle is preferably between 20 and 50 degrees.
Such angled installation of elongated bars 56 is designed to
improve the heat exchanging performance of the direct heat exchange
system into which the splash fill arrangement is installed by
assisting in keeping more of the generally downward flowing water
from exiting the splash fill arrangement through outlet side 59.
Air flow is depicted as from left to right in FIG. 4 as shown by
the arrow. Water flow is generally downward. This angled
orientation of center section elongated bars 52 assists in exposing
more of the evaporative liquid flowing across elongated bars 52 to
the air moving across the splash fill arrangement, without unduly
impeding the air flow.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 5, five preferred embodiments of the
elongated bars are shown at 60, 62, 63, 64 and 70. Elongated bar 60
is seen to have a generally smooth edged rectangular cross
sectional configuration. Elongated bar 62 is seen to have a
generally smooth edged rectangular cross section; however, two
ridges 66 and 68 extend from a lower leading edge of elongated bar
62. Elongated bar 64 is seen to have a generally smooth edged
rectangular cross sectional configuration; however, the top surface
thereof is raised from a flat arrangement and the bottom surface
thereof is indented from a flat arrangement. Elongated bar 63 is
seen to have a generally smooth edged rectangular cross sectional
configuration; however, the top surface thereof is indented from a
flat arrangement and the bottom surface thereof is lowered from a
flat arrangement. Elongated bar 70 is seen to have a generally
smooth edge rectangular cross sectional configuration; however, the
bottom surface thereof includes an opening 72.
* * * * *